Silicone spray good for bikes?
 

I was helping a friend clean out their garage recently and they let me have a can of Silicone Spray Lubricant. Is this something that is good for use on bicycles? I ask this because I've discovered that some things aren't recommended, such as degreaser.

I used silicone spray to fix a squeaking saddle rail. But it's much too light to use on bearings or chains.

Al

The danger with any spray lubricant is 'overspray'. Don't get any on your braking surfaces. It's best to use a lubricant you can easily put where you need it and avoid places where you absolutely don't want it.

No.

I've tried it. It's pretty worthless. You need something with more viscosity to stick and be useful, like oil or grease.

silicone is for boobs---- silicone is harmful to the skin---- it should not be inhaled--- or absorbed--- use chap stick!

In theory, silicone lubricants provide a non-sticky lubricant that is less likely to attract dirt and grime than tradition oil based lubricants.

THAT is the theory part. You can get that right from the can.

In actual use, I have found that silicone spray does not provide very good lubrication. I purchase oil based lubricants and greases rather than the silicone types.

If you have a can of it that is burning a hole in your tool box, give it a try and decide for yourself.

I would stick to lubricating the chain, however. Don't try to spray it into any bearings.

Depends on type and design for use. See; http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=1#post7341951

I've found "pure silicon lube" like you find at auto parts stores to be good for a couple of things on bikes:

suspension fork stanchions and plastic or nylon bushings like those found on old centerpull brakes. Marzocchi recommends it specifically for the stanchions on their forks.

Those are the only two places I use it on a bike-

Silicone lube is perfectly suited for any bicycle application where a similarly light oil is called for. Chains included. No, it probably isn't well suited for places where a grease would normally be used. Oils generally aren't. Silicone is usually specified for use on rubbers or plastics that might be attacked by more common petroleum based oils. ISTR it's also often specified for it's high flashpoint, though I could certainly be wrong about that, and it's not an issue with bikes.

I use it regularly on my SPD style pedals. It stops squeaks from the cleat/pedal interface, and cleans out the gunk in the springs of the pedals. I also use it as a cleaner for hub seals. Aerosol cans have enough force to blast out the dirt and the silicone acts like a light solvent clearing away the old grease. But once its dry, there are no residual solvents to contaminate the "good grease". Silicone I think (could be wrong) is good for rubber, and so using it on the seals should not be bad. Other than that, I used real bike lube for all other parts on the bike

Spray it into a bucket, dip your bike in the bucket. Good to go. :thumb:

I use it instead of trani fluid for my Camry. Such a wonderful shine!

I use it on my hand tools to prevent rust.

Don't get it anywhere near anything you are going to paint. The slightest trace of it causes "Fisheyes".

Silicon spray lubricants are great! They just aren't suitable for everything.

Sticky control lever mechanisms.

Okey dokey. I've had success using WD-40 to flush out sticky shifters as well-

I spray some on a rag and wipe my frame down with it, also suspension fork stanchions as mentioned before. less mud sticks to the bike. On bikes with disc brakes, i do the sidewalls and rims. Only place I use it for lubrication is rubber/metal interfaces like squeaky bearing seals.

There's a difference in spelling. Silicone is the material found in breast implants. Silicon is the stuff in the spray that you're talking about. The pronunciation is also different.

I think Speedplay recommends it for their cleats because its light and doesn't attract dirt like a petroleum based lubricant does.

You must also understand that silicon is inert. On the beneficial end, it won't deteriorate much that it touches, but on the down side, neither does it have any staying power. A temporary fix at best.

Personally, there is very little on my bike I would use it on. Actually, a teflon based lube is my preference. Finish Line makes some great products. Tri Flow for cables.

"There's a difference in spelling. Silicone is the material found in breast implants. Silicon is the stuff in the spray that you're talking about."

Silicon: a tetravalent nonmetallic element that occurs combined as the most abundant element next to oxygen in the earth's crust (Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary).

Silicone: any of various polymeric organic compounds obtained as oils, greases, or plastics and used especially for water-resistant and heat-resistant lubricants, varnishes, binders and electric insulators (ibid).

I believe you'll find that any lubricant related to this discussion contains a silicone compound, not the element silicon by itself. This isn't meant as a criticism but merely a clarification.

Regards,
Bob P.

Silicone spray never leaves your lungs. Spray lubricants are generally useless for a chain anyways. Gets the lube in all the places you don't need it to go. Drip. on.

+1 The only thing I've ever used it for is the SPD mechanism on pedals.

No, we're correctly talking about silicone spray oils. Such as this, or this. Here's the scoop.

No oil has staying power. That's why we bike riders are constantly dripping, spraying, and gabbing on and on about the stuff. Oil that has staying power is called grease. And even that stuff needs to be replenished from time to time.

I find spray good enough for chains. Overspray is an issue for many. Cured by a piece of cardboard held behind the chain when spraying.

ya--- ya--- lets start a chemical thread--- ya--- rubbing alcohol,,, ya Zep--- whats it all about--
can I get a hell ya on 3 in 1--- shts cheap, smells good and comes off with Bonners hemp soap....

I, like yous it on awl my barrings and howsings and cabulls.