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PLZ_STOP_PMING_TITS t1_jcpi5ge wrote

Reply to comment by [deleted] in What lubricant to use on garage door? by rockyboy49

White lithium grease solidifies into an anti-lubricant after a few years. Don't use that crap on anything!

Edit: downvote me all you want, then go use white lithium grease. In 5 years when it's a crumbly mess remember me and my laugh lol.

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[deleted] t1_jcpiv8j wrote

[deleted]

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PLZ_STOP_PMING_TITS t1_jcpk260 wrote

No it's not.

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Carllllll t1_jcpljqr wrote

I can't find any information to back this up. Please provide. I've used white lithium grease for years and years in numerous metal to metal applications with no issue.

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HanzG t1_jcpqkwy wrote

I'll back him with 25 years of automotive servicing experience. White grease is great for things like where a steering shaft exits the body through a rubber boot. Or power seat mechanisms where it won't react with the rubber and quiets the movement. But it will harden, and it collects dirt and dust and hardens to slightly crusty, hard "wax". This takes years but it will build up if continuously applied. The biggest problem area on cars is the hood latch; Shops spray the latch thinking they're lubing it. They're actually helping fill the latch with dirt and that causes them to not work. I remove the latch, clean it in a varsol bath, and lubricate it with a light oil. Fixed.

In controlled environments like inside a car, or inside a machine, it's great. Garage doors are outside. I'd use it on the overhead spring because there's nothing there to get jammed up. But not the wheels. 3 in 1 or Light Machine oils.

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PLZ_STOP_PMING_TITS t1_jcpopdt wrote

The only information I have is over 30 years of personal experience with the stuff at home and at work.

Edit:. Actually if you Google "Does white lithium grease dry out" and ignore the articles from the manufacturers of white lithium grease there's plenty of stuff talking about how it dries out.

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Jwarenzek t1_jcpkirp wrote

I have not heard this. Have you had experience with it? Details I’m interested.

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SyntaxErr0r9 t1_jcplizl wrote

My 2c is that it gathers dirt easily if in an exposed and dirty environment. If it’s sealed or in a generally clean environment it works really well

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PLZ_STOP_PMING_TITS t1_jcpntx1 wrote

I've had experience with white lithium since I was 10 years old. I'm over 40 now. I've used it at home and at work. After 5 or so years the stuff is dry and crumbly and sticky. I still have to clean this crap out and relubricate parts at work once in a while because they used it for a few years, as they didn't believe me when I told them not to use it.

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Walkop t1_jcpqmhl wrote

Spray or paste? Very different stuff. The spray is already pretty dry when it comes out.

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PLZ_STOP_PMING_TITS t1_jcpvqmo wrote

Most of my experience is with the spray stuff, from many manufacturers. I'm not sure if I've used non-spray stuff.

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Walkop t1_jcq6lof wrote

The actual lithium grease is the consistency of a soft butter. It's very... greasy, for lack of a better word. I doubt it would dry out. That's the stuff you want for lubricating things properly. The spray stuff is a stopgap or for lubricating really hard to reach areas, in my experience.

Most automotive greases for joints etc. are a lithium base if I'm not mistaken.

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Jwarenzek t1_jcr11ir wrote

What is your recommendation for a lubricant that doesn’t drip, and picks up less dirt than a grease, and lasts longer?

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PLZ_STOP_PMING_TITS t1_jcy5qid wrote

I'm not sure what the best for your garage door opener is. I don't have a garage door so I never researched it. I just know you don't want to use white lithium spray lubricant.

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