FS Tech

Grease.

I have greasy hair I guess. Or so I heard while standing in line at the grocery store on Monday.

“Mommy, that man’s hair is greasy!” was the quip from a keenly observant five year old standing in the basket of the grocery cart. Mom looked a little stressed, but oddly not embarrassed or self conscious of her child’s remark as she turned and gave an absent minded “I know, honey.”

Hey, I’m a mechanic and I really like grease; it is the sublime, omnipotent substance that helps our universe slide along in friction-free bliss.

There are exactly twenty-seven unique containers of grease perched upon the shelves of my shop. Twenty-seven different flavors, each one with its own specific, special and utterly indispensable use. And scent.

My favorite “go-to” grease; the one that ends up in the majority of the re-assemblies done in my shop is a “lithium complex” grease. It’s a middle of the road white-ish grease that comes in gallon cans; I use lots of it. Not much of an odor though.

Which is actually disappointing, because there is hardly a better smell than a freshly cleaned and greased machine. In this utilitarian instance, I’ve chosen function over form, or olfactory pleasantry in this case.
Lithium, in simple terms, is a soap product that is used as a thickener in common petroleum greases. Many of the wide variety of white greases have 10-15% content by weight of lithium, and quite pleasing scents.

Soap? Yes, kid, my hair is greasy; but it’s clean, and smells good, too.

Really cheap white greases use calcium soap as the thickener. Bad thing about that is water washes it out very easily, or, if left un-worked for a relatively short period of time, turns into cake. Both of which are trouble for the parts that needed lubrication.

Smells exceptionally good, though.

It’s brilliantly white, too. Probably makes for strong bones, if you had a desire to eat it. I read the MSDS on it; “Ingestion carries no long term health effects other than working as a laxative, and may cause stomach cramps and/or diarrhea.”

Lots of the specialty greases I have in my arsenal have fun ingredients like molybdenum disulphide, graphite, zinc oxide, silicone, polyurea hardeners etc. Let’s not forget the anti-seize greases; aluminum, nickel and copper. I would not eat any of these, the warnings on their labels are much more dire.

Copper anti-seize smells like toxic waste contaminated dirt, and will cause little copper colored fingertip-shaped dots to magically appear all around the shop, no matter how carefully it is applied. Black graphite grease causes semi-permanent, tattoo like stains on human skin. It smells like pencils. I could go on……

All of the more “exotic” greases have unique properties and uses, however, they all share two things in common: They have a foul odor, and they stain everything they touch.

I guess that’s what makes lithium grease the “people’s grease.” It’s friendly, while not quite gregarious. It has a pleasant smell, sometimes bordering on attractive. Its medicinal uses may be suspect, but its lubricating qualities are undeniably useful. It has the durability to hang in there under all but the most adverse conditions, rarely failing catastrophically, and responding well to periodic maintenance.

Sounds like a friend, doesn’t it?

CMcMahon

I can give you the number of a psychiatrist, if you want.

Raiyn

Perhaps Lithium in another form is warranted?

FXjohn

Wonder what he thinks of when he smells vaseline?

Raiyn

I'm not sure I'd want to know

darkmother

Grease is the source.

Doctor Who

Grease is the reason for the season.

Raiyn

No Grease is the WORD

ChezJfrey

It's got groove, it's got meaning.

Kestrelman

jeff williams

Grease is an emotion.

Hey..yesterday I cleaned my bearings\races in my non-sealed platforms.
I have no thick marine grease, just some spray lithium I flush my hub bearings with.

I thought it was a bit thin so I mixed petrolium jelly with the lithium grease and packed 'em. Runs fine.
I'll buy a different product on the weekend.

Was this a stupid idea?

Names of products you prefer for thick lube?

moxfyre

In all honesty, good post man! It's interesting to know about this stuff, and I'm glad to hear that I can continue merrily using Lithium Grease on everything with impunity. (No, I don't use it on my chain, cogs, crank taper, or anything else that would be stupid.)

RegularGuy

Nice read. Thanks!

RoadToad

is the word , is the word, is the word, is the word.......[music fade]

RT

mtbikerinpa

It's Greased Lightnin!


I much prefer Valvoline Moly sulphide #614

FS Tech

Actually, petroleum jelly-or Vaseline-has a very low percentage of thickener, and the thickener is water soluble. Plus it seperates into it's base oil components at a very low temperature, incidentally not very high above body temp.
Regardless of its odor, it does not suit mechanical applications very well, thus my experience with this type of lubricant is lacking.
Perhaps you can tell us about your experiences with Vaseline, FXjohn.

FS Tech

The above post might answer your petroleum jelly question.
No, not stupid, just a quick remedy in a pinch. It will be wise for you to aquire the correct grease this weekend. I would not recommend any lengthy rides with your current lube solution.
"Le Tour Premium Weatherproof Grease" is a great bicycle specific grease for bearings that do not have seals, i.e. open bearings, etc. and you should be able to find it in most nicer bike shops.
If you can't make it to a bike shop, try a general purpose bearing grease that specifies water resistance at your local autoparts store. Thick marine grease is only necessary if you ride in the ocean a lot.
Ed

FS Tech

Thank you!
"Finish Line, Fortified With Teflon" has a particularly appealing fragrance; a small dab behind each ear, and look out!
Ed

FS Tech

Thank you! You're welcome!
Ed

FS Tech

Ah, yes, Valvoline 614. The prefered OEM grease for GM and Chrysler, I believe. Semi-synthetic, great temp range.

For automotive/avaition use I would think Timken's NLGI GC-LB certified General Purpose Disc Bearing grease would also be a good choice. It's a No. 2 lithium complex also, but has a somewhat higher rated water resistant additive.

Ed

FXjohn

How about Mobil 1 grease or Amsoil?
Those are two of the best.

mtbikerinpa

My alternate grease is Amzoil moly hi-temp, but it costs a fair bit more and in most applications has a much higher viscosity. 614 moly is a lower but very stable viscosity and has proven very durable in my disc brake race bikes(sealed or unsealed) which deal in a great many puddles and river crossings.

bassplayinbiker

wow. just wow.

All the kids at school always make fun of my greasy hands. They should know by now, that some grease Just dosent wash off.

There is nothing i would rather do on a cold night, than take my bike apart, fix what every might be "almost" wrong with it,and get greasy.

I say almost because i take such good care of my bike, i fix things before they break.

KleinRider

I picture you in the grocery line spewing out your monologue with the woman behind you, wide-eyed, clutching desperately at her child to protect him.

mtbikerinpa

Phil Wood's green grease makes great hand creme