How water resistant is normal wheel bearing (lithium complex) grease? Kind of a simple question I guess.
Lithium grease water resistance?
- Thread starter buck91
- Start date
Not very. Take a glob of regular lithium complex wheel bearing grease in the palm of your hand under running sink water. Stir it and the grease will turn cloudy with moisture absorption very quickly. Silicone grease will repel water much better. I have some synthetic brake paste that repels water near 100% - water does not mix with it at all.
There must be some additives for lithium complex that can make them more water resistant. I have some special pump grease that is lithium complex and it is used for liquid pumping. Go figure.
Hopefully someone will present some number data that reflects grease water resistance. I.E. compare the data of lithium complex to aluminum complex marine grease.
There must be some additives for lithium complex that can make them more water resistant. I have some special pump grease that is lithium complex and it is used for liquid pumping. Go figure.
Hopefully someone will present some number data that reflects grease water resistance. I.E. compare the data of lithium complex to aluminum complex marine grease.
how resistant compared to what?
Generally speaking lithium complex greases are considered "good"
while aluminum and calcium(both types) are considered excellent.
but how that relates to running some under water on your hand who knows
IMO: You would be better off mentioning the application and asking for grease recommendations - if applicable.
Just looking for a wide spread, cost effective grease for my bike bearings. Ideally I'd like a calcium sulfonate NLGI #1.... but those tend to be eithter disproportionately pricey or only in bulk. calcium #2's are easy though.
