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Dielectric grease, also called tune-up grease, protects electrical connectors from moisture, corrosion, and dirt.
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Short on Time – Here’s a Quick Summary
While dielectric grease is often associated with old-school maintenance routines, many mechanics still consider it useful in modern vehicles. It is a silicon-based grease used in electrical systems to prevent corrosion and moisture buildup in those systems.
What is Dielectric Grease?
Dielectric grease is made of silicon and is used in electrical systems. Since it is non-conductive and waterproof, dielectric grease is used in electrical circuits to disturb the electric current flow while maintaining lubrication.
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Dielectric grease doesn’t dissolve in most liquids, including mineral oil, methanol, and water. Therefore, it is used in outdoor and marine applications to make waterproof electrical components.
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Furthermore, dielectric grease can withstand extreme temperatures, making it a good choice to prevent rubber and plastic parts of electrical systems from fusing in high heat cycles, for instance, an engine bay.
How to Use It?
Dielectric grease is waterproof and fireproof. It is made by adding a thickener to silicon oil. Also, note that dielectric grease is an insulator. Use it on the outer surface or body of the electrical part to continue the necessary flow of current. When using the dielectric grease, apply a small amount wherever required and spread it gently to cover the area.
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Carefully read labeled directions to use dielectric grease since misuse can interrupt the flow of electric current and cause devices to malfunction.
Caution:
Before applying dielectric grease, keep the following points in mind.
- Use the grease on the electrical components’ surface where the current is not passing.
- Since it is silicon-based, it may irritate the eyes and skin. Wear safety glasses and gloves when applying dielectric grease.
- Never apply this grease to threads of oxygen cylinders or valves, as a reaction between the grease and oxygen may cause a rapid explosion.
Difference Between Regular Grease & Dielectric Grease
Dielectric grease and regular grease (aka lubricating grease) are made to serve different purposes. Let’s explore the differences between both.
- Dielectric grease is made by fusing silicon and a thickener. On the other hand, regular grease is made of thickener, lubricating oil, and other additives.
- Lubricating grease is used to lubricate mechanisms that need lubrication, including automotive, industrial, and other mechanisms.
Now that you know the difference between regular and dielectric grease go through the table below to learn more about dielectric grease.
When Should You Use Dielectric Grease?
Since dielectric grease is an electrical insulator and lubricant, you can use it for different purposes, such as high-energy ignition systems, electrical connectors, battery terminals, etc.
Dielectric grease has several uses in modern vehicles. For example, it prevents electrical arcing across connector pins and rubber parts from drying and seals dissimilar metals to prevent seizing.
Here, we will discuss when you can use dielectric grease for automotive applications.
Battery Terminals
Battery terminals are prone to rust and corrosion, affecting the retaining hardware. While putting this insulator grease on battery terminals may not seem logical, putting it on the terminals and clams can protect them from water and air and prevent corrosion and rusting.
Dielectric grease ensures the battery terminals and fastener tops are well-protected from air and water around it, preventing corrosion and rusting.
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Spark Plug Boots
The reason why dielectric grease is also known as tune-up grease is its use with spark plug boots. Dielectric grease applied on the spark plug’s body can prevent its boots from fusing to the spark plug. Since spark plugs are subject to higher temperatures, tune-up grease is a smart option to seal the boot and prevent it from getting stuck.
Headlight & Lamp Sockets
Today, modern bulb sockets contain an associated rubber gasket to seal the headlight housing after locking the lamp in position. Here, dielectric grease serves a crucial purpose. First, it can help prevent the gasket from attaching to the housing’s back.
Not only headlight bulbs but any bulb can take advantage of the dielectric grease so that they can be easily removed later.
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High-Energy Ignition System
Another application of dielectric grease is in the high-energy ignition system. You can use it on ignition coil connectors and other components to prevent voltage leakage. Previously, dielectric grease was used in disruptor caps, also known as tune-up grease.
Fuse Boxes
Putting a dab of the tune-up grease around the fuse box’s latches can help keep the dirt and moisture out of the box.
My experience: I’m saying this based on my personal experience. I had an external fuse box prone to road grit and moisture before I applied dielectric grease on its latches. Once, I experienced applying grease. To my wonder, it worked well.
Electrical Connectors
Dielectric grease can also prove to be beneficial for application in electrical connectors. For example, applying the rubber in a weatherproof connector prevents the rubber from fusing to the mating connector when exposed to underhood heat cycles.
How to Use Dielectric Grease on a Spark Plug Boot?
Many people may need to learn how to use dielectric grease. Here, we will illustrate with the help of an example to help you guide through the process.
- Remove the spark plug boot while your vehicle is turned off and cool.
- Clean it thoroughly.
- Take dielectric grease and squeeze a small amount on cardboard or something.
- Use a cotton swab or something similar to properly apply the grease on the spark plug boot’s inner wall and let it dry.
- Once done, place the spark plug back into the vehicle.
Now you know how to apply dielectric grease. However, if you find it difficult to do it yourself, you can visit your nearest auto repair shop to get it done by a mechanic.
Conclusion
Dielectric grease is a silicon-based grease that serves different applications. Not only is this grease used in automobiles but also in other industrial mechanisms. In the automotive industry, dielectric grease can be applied in spark plug boots, battery terminals, electrical connectors, etc. Since it is non-conductive, it plays a crucial role in preventing the rubber from fusing into mating surfaces of electrical systems.
However, experts advise you to follow appropriate safety measures while applying the grease, as it may irritate your skin and eyes.
FAQs
You can use dielectric grease for different purposes. Since it is known for disturbing the electric current flow, you can use it around spark plug boots, electrical connectors, battery terminals, etc., to seal the rubber part and prevent it from fusing into the metal components.
While dielectric grease can not cause problems, using it around silicon-based rubbers or plastics may break them down over time. Also, you should only apply it indirectly around the mating surfaces of an electrical connection to avoid insulation.
Dielectric grease protects your electrical components against corrosion and rust. Also, it prevents voltage leakage from engines. However, high amounts are not recommended, as they may hurdle the necessary electric flow.
There is no harm in using dielectric grease on battery terminals. Instead, the grease protects the terminals and prevents moisture and corrosion around them. However, you should avoid applying it between electrical connections since it is non-conductive and can disturb the necessary current flow.
While there are different options to remove dielectric grease from components, you can use either a paint remover or absolute alcohol, which will dissolve and remove any grease from the connectors.
It would help if you didn’t use dielectric grease in extremely high temperatures, almost more than 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Moreover, don’t use it around silicon-based rubbers and plastics, as it can break them
