So Fix it

Silicone and dielectric grease are used to seal objects from foreign materials and dust. Both materials are used in electrical applications because of their resistance to high temperatures and electrical charges.

Appearance

Dielectric and silicon grease are translucent allowing light to pass through them; dielectric grease distorts the light passing through it. Silicon grease is also used as a polish for kitchen equipment and in the manufacture of food packaging products.

Electrical

The most common use of dielectric grease is in electrical applications as it does not allow foreign material to stick to conductors or allow an electrical charge to pass between contact points. Silicon grease is used in plumbing applications as it provides a waterproof seal.

Applications

Dielectric grease is often used in electrical applications, such as sealing cables and terminals from moisture. Silicone grease is used for a variety of applications including in the automotive industry and rubber parts manufacturing.

Grease guns are important to the everyday maintenance of automobiles, farm equipment, and other shop equipment. Grease fittings are inserted into automobile steering components, ball joints, driveshafts, and other components that need periodic lubrication. The grease fitting directs grease to all the necessary components without removing the components and applying grease with a brush or by hand as they did in the old days. Modern grease guns use a cartridge to load grease into the gun. The old ones required that the grease be packed into the guns cylinder using a spoon, fingers or a stick.

Instructions

1

Spray the entire grease gun with brake cleaner and wipe it down with shop rags to clean the dirt from the grease gun. This prevents dirt and contaminants from entering the gun and accidentally getting injected into a part that needs lubricating.

2

Pull the T-handle all the way out of the bottom end of the cylinder and slide it to one side to lock it into a groove that holds the spring loaded T-handle out of the cylinder while the new cartridge is being loaded.

3

Move the pump handle out, away from the gun and thread the top of the gun, that includes the pump handle, off the gun by rotating it counterclockwise, viewing from the nozzle. The gun should now be in two pieces, the pump handle assembly and the cylinder assembly.

4

Pull the old grease cartridge from the grease guns cylinder, the cylinder is the metal tube with the spring loaded T-handle out the end. The old grease cartridge looks like it is part of the cylinder but it is not. There is a metal lip at the threaded end of the cylinder that can be griped with pliers and pulled out.

5

Remove the plastic cap from the bottom of a new sealed grease cartridge, and slide it into the cylinder. The cartridge must be inserted slowly to allow the cartridge to displace the air in the cylinder. Remember the spring loaded T-handle must be pulled out of the cylinder to install a new cartridge.

6

Pull the "soda-can-like-tab" off the top of the newly installed grease cartridge installed into the cylinder.

7

Thread the top handle assembly back onto the cylinder assembly by rotating it clockwise onto the cylinder threads, viewing from the nozzle end.

8

Slide the spring loaded T-handle out of the holding grove and push it back into the cylinder.

9

Position the guns nozzle straight up, pump the handle until the air is removed from the gun and grease begins to pump flow out of the nozzle. If no grease comes out after prolonged pumping, Loosen and re-tighten the bleed-valve screw in the pump handle assembly near where the nozzle screws into the threaded cap to release the trapped air. Most bleed screws use a screwdriver to loosen, some may use a hex head.

Used to apply pressurized grease to mechanical components that require lubrication, grease guns are an essential tool in many workshops, particularly automotive garages. Though grease guns certainly clean up the process of applying grease compared to the old method of applying it by hand or with a grease swab, using a grease gun is still a messy process. Cleaning a grease gun ensures that it applies grease evenly and smoothly. Clean your grease gun with clean cloth towels and water mixed with a gentle anti-grease soap, such as dish detergent.

Instructions

1

Remove the old grease cartridge from your grease gun according to the specifications of your specific gun. Often this process requires you to unscrew the head of the grease gun, pull out the loading rod at the bottom of the handle and then pull the cartridge out with a pair of pliers.

2

Wipe all the excess grease off of the external nozzle as well as the inside of the cartridge chamber with a clean cloth. It is important to clean off all the old grease, as well as any debris which may have become trapped by the grease, including grit, dirt, metal shards or fibers. Use a durable press-fiber cloth so as to avoid inadvertently leaving fibers on or in the grease gun.

3

Wash the exterior and interior components of the grease gun with a mild grease cutting soap such as dish detergent. Scrub the gun components with soapy water and a fresh press-fiber cloth.

4

Soak and rinse the exterior and interior of the gun thoroughly with fresh water. Ensure that all soap is rinsed thoroughly from the gun, or the integrity of any grease you apply with the gun will be compromised.

5

Dry the guns exterior thoroughly and allow the interior to air dry for at least a day before attempting to reload a fresh grease cartridge.