Hi all
Does anybody have any recommendation for what type of grease I should use inside dashboard rocker switches, to keep them moving smoothly?
Some switches I have taken apart have had red or yellow grease grease, but as for what exact specification it is, I really don't know!
Any help greatly appreciated.
Regards, Bolin.
Rocker switch grease?
Re: Rocker switch grease?
Calling JPB..... 
I usually use vaseline, but he'll know chapter and verse on the right stuff to use!
I usually use vaseline, but he'll know chapter and verse on the right stuff to use!
Some people are like Slinkies - they serve no useful purpose, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.
Re: Rocker switch grease?
*Ears burning...* Ouch.
I'd tend to go for a combined switch cleaner/lubricant such as Servisol Super 10. Available at Maplin, CPC, Farnell etc.
There's no real harm in using a proprietary brand of petroleum jelly though, so if you have Vaseline in your bathroom cabinet, under the bed or in the fridge give that a go rather than buy a "specialist" lubricant.
Some folk swear by silicon grease but the danger with that is that it oxidises to form sand if there's any arcing in the switch, then the sand erodes the contacts, so leave the silicon grease for hydraulic sealing jobs.
I'd tend to go for a combined switch cleaner/lubricant such as Servisol Super 10. Available at Maplin, CPC, Farnell etc.
There's no real harm in using a proprietary brand of petroleum jelly though, so if you have Vaseline in your bathroom cabinet, under the bed or in the fridge give that a go rather than buy a "specialist" lubricant.
Some folk swear by silicon grease but the danger with that is that it oxidises to form sand if there's any arcing in the switch, then the sand erodes the contacts, so leave the silicon grease for hydraulic sealing jobs.
J
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
Re: Rocker switch grease?
Oops, I'll have to remember not to use that the next time i fix a switch :SJPB wrote:Some folk swear by silicon grease but the danger with that is that it oxidises to form sand if there's any arcing in the switch, then the sand erodes the contacts, so leave the silicon grease for hydraulic sealing jobs.
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Re: Rocker switch grease?
Many thanks guys, I used some petroleum jelly and the switch is now beautifully smooth to operate. 
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m.thaddeus
- Posts: 120
- Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011 2:49 pm
Re: Rocker switch grease?
Dont go to Radio Spares, the switch cleanter/electrolube is mega expensive. Damn good mind, but 5 times the cost of Toolstation. (about £2) Or you could use a teflon grease.
Re: Rocker switch grease?
In my toolbox, I have had it for 20 plus years + is a 2oz tube of Morcol Evolube Contact Lubricant, which I used to use at work to luricate relay contacts on relays, I sparingly use it to lubricate any switches and connectors I dissassemble. ie thats why I still have it...use it sparingly.
It's industrial use was to lubricate relay contacts in HV protection's relays which are far from hermetically sealed, on the plus side a bit of 'isopropol' alchhol cleanes the contact for any nessersary reapplication, never had any cause to complain about it and if I remebr rightly aided conductivity.
Morcol was a Gulf Company so is it still available? I don't know, but I am sure we still use it or it's equivalent in my company.
My advice would be vaseline would be ok for plastic pivots but don't put it on contacts, if you clean contacts into a domed shape they should be self cleaning. Don't use abrasive to clean contacts ie diamond files it faltens the dome and reduces contact life, I still have my contact cleaner as suppied by PO Telephones 30 years ago, which is just a bit of concave etched metal which serves to remove oxydisation on the contact and nothing more!
It's industrial use was to lubricate relay contacts in HV protection's relays which are far from hermetically sealed, on the plus side a bit of 'isopropol' alchhol cleanes the contact for any nessersary reapplication, never had any cause to complain about it and if I remebr rightly aided conductivity.
Morcol was a Gulf Company so is it still available? I don't know, but I am sure we still use it or it's equivalent in my company.
My advice would be vaseline would be ok for plastic pivots but don't put it on contacts, if you clean contacts into a domed shape they should be self cleaning. Don't use abrasive to clean contacts ie diamond files it faltens the dome and reduces contact life, I still have my contact cleaner as suppied by PO Telephones 30 years ago, which is just a bit of concave etched metal which serves to remove oxydisation on the contact and nothing more!
Re: Rocker switch grease?
Tamiya do a switch lubricant meant for speed controllers on R/C models to stop arcing - there are some quite high currents involved.
Most model shops should have something like it.
Maybe worth trying ?
Most model shops should have something like it.
Maybe worth trying ?