Although ordinary automotive grease is very damaging to rubber products, silicon grease is great for ANY rubber products, and for use on ANY electronic connection (other than high-voltage switches). Not only does silicon grease prevent corrosion at electrical contacts, it also improves existing contacts.
THE DREADED BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH
After about 5 years of flawless operation, recently I got a "blue screen of death" on my computer, mentioning a parity-check error. Attempts to restart the computer just brought up the same "blue screen of death"---I could not even get to the minimal Windows configuration for trouble-shooting. I removed the memory boards, cleaned the contacts with isopropyl alcohol, applied a thin layer of silicon grease to the contacts on the memory boards, and reinstalled the memory. Since then (a year ago), the computer works perfectly.
More recently my other (ca 10-year-old) computer has been getting progressivly flakier for about 5 years---if I opened and closed several demanding applications and/or surfed the web extensively---a lockup or crash was likely---so I routinely rebooted several times a day to avoid the lockups/crashes. Occassionally, even freshly booted up, I could not access certain files or folders (the only solution was to clear the recycle bin, delete the file or folder, and then restore it from the recycle bin). Running registry repair programs and other diagnostics did not help. Completely reformating the harddrive and reinstalling Windows and all my programs from scratch did not help. A new harddrive did not help. About once a month, the computer crashed with a parity-check error message---which began me thinking that I might have a similar problem with the memory board contacts. So during my last annual "spring cleaning" of the inside of the computer (particularly the CPU cooler), I also made a point of pulling the memory boards one-at-a-time (blowing any dust out of the contacts with canned air), applying silicon grease to the contacts, and reinstalling the memory boards. Since then (3 months ago) the computer has been working like new. REALLY!
It would be a good idea to coat the contacts of any boards or memory with silicon grease before installing.
EXAMPLES OF AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRIC USES
Does your car refuse too start when it's been raining for days? You could replace the entire ignition harness (for perhaps $100 plus labor)---or just coat the wires with silicon grease, being particular generous at the spark plug and distributor connections. No need to wipe off excess. Also pull off the spark plug wires (one at a time so you don't confuse them) and put a dollup of grease on the contacts.
Replacing your car battery? This stuff is far better than the petroleum jelly your father used to protect the contacts from corrosion.
EXAMPLES OF PLUMBING USES
Is your bathroom faucet leaking? Disassemble it, clean it, and rub silicon grease into all of the rubber seals. Let it set, wipe off excess, reassemble. Does your toilet run on and on after you flush it? Same solution.
EXAMPLES OF USES AS A LUBRICANT
Is the A/C plug for your juicer hard to push into the socket? Add a generous coating of silicon grease and stick it in and out of the socket several times to lubricate the socket. Petroleum-based grease or oil may conduct electricity and burn---making the connection worse. Silicon grease will not conduct electricity nor burn.
Is the door lock of your car stiff? Same solution, slather silicon grease on the key, and lock/unlock the door several times.
IMPROVING ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS
Does the right or left channel of your headphones drop out or sputter? Silicon grease will improve the connection.
Do you have to shake your TV remote to make it work? Silicon grease will improve the batteries connections.
Have you noticed? 40 years ago leaking battereies destroyed uncountable flashlights and transistor radios. Everyone knew that you had to remove batteries when not in use. But then battereies improved in the 1980s and 1990s and almost never leaked. But once again, batteries are leaking and damaging equipment. Silicon grease will at least protect your contacts from minor leaks, and will improve already damaged contacts.
RECONDITIONING RUBBER PRODUCTS
Does wind noise at high speed because of a poor door seal drive you crazy? Coat the seal with silicon grease. Rub it in, let it set, wipe off excess
Do you have a classic car with stiff dried-out rubber seals? This stuff is first aid. If they aren't too dead, silicon grease will bring them back to life, and protect them from further deterioration.
Sliding windows in your van hard to open/close? Coat the channels with silicon grease.
Within reason, you cannot use too much. Unlike ordinary oil and grease silicon grease does not attract dirt.
CAUTION
Silicon grease is NOT a replacement for petroleum-based grease as a lubricant for continuously moving mechanical parts. While silicon grease can "recondition" rubber belts and rollers (in computer printers, etc) it can also make them too slippery to do their job (instead use CaiKleenTM RBR Liquid, oiler dispenser concentrate 25 mL). Silicon grease can interfere with repainting cars---so it is best to avoid getting silicon grease on painted surfaces, particularly if you anticipate repainting the surfaces in the near future. In high-voltage switches, arcing can create silicon carbide which will deteriorate the contacts.
To see my
"How to Repair electronic devices damaged by bad batteries",
"How to Improve Rubber Seals or Revitalize Rubber Items", and
"How to Improve electrical connections" guides,
click on "" above, then click on "So you'd like to know" guides on the left side of the pageUsing a little Permatex Dielectric grease on the spark plug connectors will help remove them later as well as sealing out moisture.
Buy Permatex 22058 Dielectric Tune-Up Grease, 3 oz. Tube Now
This tube is bigger than you think. I used this item as a filler to get free shipping!. I use it mainly for placing on the car bulbs when i replace them, or for spark plug wires. This stuff works great, and is recommended to have just in case you need to waterproof a connector!Read Best Reviews of Permatex 22058 Dielectric Tune-Up Grease, 3 oz. Tube Here
I've been using Permatex dielectric compound for 20+ years on all types of electrical connections on my vehicle repairs (professionally and privately)It prevents corrosion and wear on contacts and splices, waterproofs connectors etc., I almost never make a connection without using it, Highly recommendedWant Permatex 22058 Dielectric Tune-Up Grease, 3 oz. Tube Discount?
I was having a problem with deposits building up on my car battery terminals that was interfereing with a good connection and eventually killing the battery. I coated the terminals with permatex and it seems to be staying deposit free. It has been about 2 1/2 months.
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