What Is Dielectric Grease Used For

You've got a lot of options when it comes to dielectric grease, and it can be had in several different sizes. This 3-ounce tube from Permatex easily has enough to tackle several jobs. (Paradigm/OnAllCylinders – Paul Sakalas)

Pop open whatever old tune-upward transmission and you're bound to find mention of something chosen dielectric grease. In fact, a lot of experienced mechanics simply call dielectric grease "melody up grease" for that very reason. Merely even though it's often associated with old-school maintenance routines, it is notwithstanding plenty useful in modernistic vehicles too.

In fact, with the increasing part of computers and sensors in cars and trucks nowadays, dielectric grease is really, really important. And it'll probable stay that style for a long time, considering the current trajectory of electric vehicle adoption.

What is Dielectric Grease?

Technically, dielectric grease is considered a lubricant. Just lubrication is only part of the benefits of a proficient tune up grease. That's considering "dielectric" is a fancy fashion of saying it won't conduct electricity. Or in other words, information technology'south essentially an electrical insulator in fluid form.

So dielectric grease is often found around electrical systems, where it can be used to lubricate connectors, seal gaps, and thwart corrosion by preventing moisture ingress. Amend still, dielectric grease can typically withstand extreme rut cycles, which makes it a smart choice to stop plastic and rubber parts from fusing together in high-temperature environments, similar, say, in an engine bay.

During a melody-upwardly, it was common to coat the inside gasket ring of a distributor cap in dielectric grease to keep moisture away. (Epitome/OnAllCylinders – Paul Sakalas)

All those reasons meant that, back in the day, applying a dielectric grease on ignition terminals, benefactor caps, and in spark plug boots was one of the most of import aspects of a regular vehicle tune up, hence why dielectric grease is often called "tune up grease."

Tune Up Grease Is Still Useful Today

Since dielectric grease is both an electrical insulator and a lubricant, it has a ton of uses in a modern vehicle. Information technology mitigates electric arcing across connector pins, keeps rubber parts from drying out, and coats dissimilar metals to preclude seizing.

Conversely, if yous've e'er had to unplug an ancient electrical connector, only to find it's fused tight inside the reverse receptacle, then you know how helpful a little dab of dielectric grease can be when assembling (and disassembling) components.

But notation that we said "dab" right at that place. Knowing how much dielectric grease to apply is critical, as besides much can actually prevent a good electrical connection. In most cases, a small layer of grease is all you'll need, particularly if yous're using it on a precise electrical component similar a sensor connector or ECU port.

Here's another good tip: While it's common in the automotive globe, dielectric grease can be handy around the business firm too, from coax cablevision to washing machine knobs. And it's not that expensive either, so information technology makes a lot of sense to purchase a small tube for a few bucks, and toss it in your toolbox so it's ready if/when yous need it.

V Good Automotive Uses for Dielectric Grease (& A Bonus One Too!)

Let'due south talk specifics now. Nosotros put together a uncomplicated list of five handy applications for melody-upwardly grease effectually your modern car, truck, or SUV.

1. Spark Plug Boots

Even a picayune dot of dielectric grease on a spark plug'due south ceramic insulator can save a ton of hassle when yous're removing the ignition wires later. (Image/OnAllCylinders – Paul Sakalas)

Well, this is a no-brainer. As mentioned earlier, role of the reason folks call dielectric grease a "melody up" grease is because it was then valuable in ignition systems. And that holds truthful today. While you may not have a distributor anymore, a dab of dielectric grease on the spark plug body can prevent the boots from fusing to the spark plugs, making them easier to pull off in the hereafter.

2. Battery Terminals

Requite the tops of your battery terminals a blanket of dielectric grease to keep 'em looking nice n' pretty. (Image/OnAllCylinders – Paul Sakalas)

This is some other good ane. Bombardment terminals have trend to rust and corrode, which means that they tin can seize right to the battery posts. And the corrosion can also eat away at the retaining hardware (peculiarly inside the threads), causing a lot of rounded 10mm basics. Hither'south an application where you tin can be a bit more liberal with the application of dielectric grease, as y'all want to make sure the tops of the posts and fastener heads/threads are well-covered.

3. Electrical Connectors

Stubborn electrical connectors can easily ruin what should've been a unproblematic repair. Apply a light impact of melody up grease each fourth dimension yous disconnect them and make life easier next time. (Image/OnAllCylinders – Paul Sakalas)

Merely get in the habit of applying a piffling dab of dielectric grease to the connector body and socket every time you disconnect them. And if you've got a weatherproof connector with a prophylactic boot or grommet (like you'd encounter in a Deutsch or Weather Pack connector), blanket the condom with a thin moving-picture show of grease tin prevent it from fusing to the mating connector subsequently about a jillion underhood rut cycles.

iv. Headlight & Lamp Sockets

Non simply tin a layer of dielectric grease make it easier to remove your bulbs, it can seal your headlight housings to mitigate fogging. (Image/OnAllCylinders – Paul Sakalas)

We don't simply mean the electric connector here, either. Many modern bulb sockets have an integrated safety gasket that seals the headlight housing in one case the lamp is locked into position. Again, a thin moving picture of dielectric grease can foreclose that gasket from adhering itself to the back of the housing. Honestly, any seedling can probably do good from a small dab of grease to brand them like shooting fish in a barrel to remove later.

5. Fuse Boxes

In a crowded fuse box, a little grease can save some finger strain. (Image/OnAllCylinders – Paul Sakalas)

If you've got an external fuse box or standalone fuse blocks for some extra electrical accessories, then putting a bead of dielectric grease around its latches and seams tin can work wonders in keeping off-road grit and moisture out. Or, if your fuse box is really crowded, a tiny (tiny!) application of tune-up grease on the fuse blades can save a lot of frustration, especially if you lot accept to utilise one of those plastic fuse tweezer tools to pluck them out.

Bonus! Sealing Lids & Panels

Want to keep bugs out of an outside enclosure? Dielectric grease to the rescue! (Image/OnAllCylinders – Paul Sakalas)

Call back, one of the chief uses for dielectric grease used to exist sealing the distributor cap cover to keep dust and moisture out. And so, fifty-fifty on not-automotive applications, if you want to go along grit or rainwater out of an enclosure without an airtight seal, then a dollop of dielectric grease tin can do the flim-flam. (It's handy for other household jobs besides, similar sealing mural lighting or junction boxes.) Dielectric grease is relatively easy to clean upward as well, making information technology a far better choice for the job than a traditional all-purpose grease.

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Got any other clever uses for dielectric grease? Did we miss a common application? Permit us know in the comments!

Author: Paul Sakalas Paul is the editor of OnAllCylinders. When he's not writing, you'll probably discover him fixing oil leaks in a Jeep CJ-v or watching a 1972 Corvette overheat. An avid motorcyclist, he spends the rest of his time synchronizing carburetors and cleaning chain lube off his left pant leg.