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Inert Lubricant Question

Old 06-16-19, 08:19 PM
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ticyclist
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Inert Lubricant Question

Hello. I have this headset cap and it has a rubber gasket seal that needs some type of inert lubricant before snapping the parts together. Would I just use an inert silicone lubricant? My concern is using the wrong lubricant and having some type o corrosive and negative reaction. Thanks!
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Old 06-16-19, 08:35 PM
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Try using water, alcohol, soap solution or spit.
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Old 06-16-19, 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by dsbrantjr
Try using water, alcohol, soap solution or spit.
is that a long-term solution ? Thanks for chiming in!
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Old 06-16-19, 09:17 PM
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Silicone spray or silicone grease should be fine.
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Old 06-16-19, 09:54 PM
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I haven't done the math but...

I doubt the seal is rubber, more likely a man made material like most all O rings and such are. If you can find out the material it should be easy to look up agreeable lubricant. As example MSC has a info charts here: https://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tn/...navid=12108900

I will say that's it's been my experience that a silicone based protectant works well for real rubber. Andy
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Old 06-17-19, 04:56 AM
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Originally Posted by ticyclist
is that a long-term solution ? Thanks for chiming in!
Ah, I thought you needed an assembly lube. Silicone should work fine. Please note that silicone is very difficult to remove and will cause "fisheyes" when you try to paint over it, so try to keep it away from the paintwork.
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Old 06-17-19, 12:13 PM
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Dow 111 Molycote silicone grease. I bought it specifically for the rubber seals on my espresso machine, but use it for any other time I install an o-ring or similar rubber seal. A little goes a long way.
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Old 06-17-19, 12:32 PM
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Chapstick.
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Old 06-18-19, 07:30 PM
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thanks for all the great info!
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