Dielectric grease
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Elder User
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From: Ishpeming Mi.
Dielectric grease
Where is the use of this needed, useful as a prophlatic, and useless or worse? Having perused this forum this is one thing that I really haven't seen covered. I use it on almost every electrical part that I deal with, which may not be correct, so I'm passing the buck for some feedback from those old pro's here.
Example... I don't use it on my main battery connections, but I do on all my sparkplug wires.
So?
Example... I don't use it on my main battery connections, but I do on all my sparkplug wires.
So?
Post Fiend
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From: Connecticut
I use a dab on plug wires and a few other exposed electrical connections (such as the horns, for example).
FWIW, silicone dielectric grease is also great for lubing brake slide pins, and is in fact the grease recommended by Ford for that application.
FWIW, silicone dielectric grease is also great for lubing brake slide pins, and is in fact the grease recommended by Ford for that application.
Posting Guru
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Dielectric grease is an insulator. It protects from voltage leakage. It protects from moisture, and corrosion of electrical terminals, and damage to the contacts from dirt and other substances.
When using it to grease spark plug boots, use it sparingly. If you use too much, the boot will form such a vacuum as to make the boot very difficult to remove. BTDT. jd
When using it to grease spark plug boots, use it sparingly. If you use too much, the boot will form such a vacuum as to make the boot very difficult to remove. BTDT. jd
Post Fiend
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From: Connecticut
Agreed. 
"Dielectric" means "non-conductive". Which is why dielectric grease makes a good protective, insulating coating for electrical connections. But it can be counter-productive if over-used, especially with regard to spark plug boots.
"Dielectric" means "non-conductive". Which is why dielectric grease makes a good protective, insulating coating for electrical connections. But it can be counter-productive if over-used, especially with regard to spark plug boots.
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From: Ishpeming Mi.
So what about between the battery and the cables? I don't use it there but for everything else I do. Kinda like my use of Neverseize. If I remove a screw or bolt that is exposed to the elements it gets coated.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: suburban atlanta
Two of the more recent(hah) FoMoCo shop manuals I have say to put dielectric on the top and bottom of the distributor rotor, the metal part that points out to the inner side of the distributor. Yeah, they both still have distributors. I also use it on plug wire boots. Squeeze out a tiny bit, and then use the tip of the tube to smear it around the inside of the boot. I still have problems taking the boots off, but believe it to be the metal snap on connectors, as when I have pulled on the boot to remove the wire, I end up with the metal connector left on the spark plug.
tom
tom
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I haven't tried it, but I would think it to be a little light for that purpose. Motor oil works as does wheel bearing grease. You have to get it all around the terminal. The terminal corrodes from the gas coming around the post were it goes thru the case. I'm solving that problem as my batteries go bad. I replace them with Optimas. The don't have the corrosion problems. jd
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I have also used in on my trailer plugs to help keep moisture out and ensure a better connection. It really is just to ensure that corrosion doesn't set in, to act as a lubricant so that things don't get stuck, and to prevent stray voltage.
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I use dielectic (bulb) grease on EVERY electrical connection, regardless of where or what it is. Keeps out dirt/water, prevents things turning green. About the only thing I don't use it on is the battery - on that I use the red battery-terminal spray.
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From: nj
its not used to "protect" the connections its actually used to allow higher operating voltages and a higher capacitance for capacitors
Post Fiend
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From: Connecticut
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