Silicone Grease

Silicone Grease

When you mix silicone oil and a thickener, you get waterproof grease called silicone grease. It is a white, translucent and viscous paste that is often used to lubricate as well as preserve rubber parts. The beauty of silicone grease compared to other types of grease is that it does not soften the rubber.

Silicone grease is used widely in many consumer applications. It can lubricate the mechanisms of fountain pens, seal waterproof watches, or lubricate the O-rings found in air rifles or in flashlights. Thread mechanisms are often lubricated with silicone grease. Shower heads, garden hose, bolts and door hinges are examples of household items that have threads. Silicone grease is also used in some automobile and bicycle parts.

The problem with silicone grease is that since it is highly resilient, it can be hard to clean. Usually, in order to remove silicone grease, you will need to spray the grease with a cleaning solvent.

Here’s how to remove silicone grease.

First, you need to blot out the excess silicone grease using a dry rag or paper towels. You have to blot and not smear the silicone grease to prevent it from spreading.

Next, spray cleaning solvent on the area with the silicone grease. The cleaning solvent can be purchased from automotive stores, hardware stores and online. You want to saturate that area with the cleaning solvent. Let the cleaning solvent sit for a few minutes or up to an hour to make sure it breaks down the silicone grease.

Get a plastic scrub brush with bristles and begin scrubbing the area you sprayed with the cleaning solvent. Use the dry rag or paper towels to remove the residue. Repeat the process of spraying, scrubbing and removing the silicone grease until there are no more traces of the grease.

Cleaning up silicone grease is easy especially if you are patient. Make sure to wear protective gloves in order to avoid any form of skin irritation. If you don’t want a chemical based cleaning solvent, you can find natural cleaning solvents online.