Okay, this is probably a dumb question...but I was wondering if you grease aluminum hinges/pins (saddle rack, stall dividers, door hinges etc.) with regular grease or do you use a special grease or not grease 'em at all. Thanks for helping out a dummy when it comes to aluminum!50 45
Posted 2009-04-23 9:24 AM (#103804 - in reply to #103782) Subject: RE: Grease aluminum hinges?
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
If you can take the hinges apart, such as with a lift out stall divider, use a light application of grease. This would be also true with the spring loaded pins used in saddle racks, moveable tack walls and the like.
However, any grease applied to a regular door or window type of hinge will do little good. Because of its viscosity, it will generally stay on the surface and not penetrate into the pin and boss areas where it is needed the most. For these applications you need an lighter petroleum lubricant. Spray oils such as WD 40 and LPS are generally short lived when exposed to the weather. An automotive oil will provide longer lasting lubrication. I have been successfully using synthetic automatic transmission fluid, that stands up to our hot summers, and long winter storages.
A perfect applicator is a used syringe, which allows a pin point application, and eliminates any messy over lubrication.
Posted 2009-04-23 9:37 AM (#103806 - in reply to #103782) Subject: RE: Grease aluminum hinges?
Veteran
Posts: 198
Location: Iowa
Thanks guys. As usual, excellent advice. Glad to hear regular grease, etc. won't harm aluminum...I was worried there would be some sort of chemical reaction or something that's different from steel. Again, thanks for the great advice!
Posted 2009-04-23 10:31 AM (#103808 - in reply to #103782) Subject: RE: Grease aluminum hinges?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 714
Location: Minnesota
My dealer recommends liquid graphite if there is no grease zert. Not messy and will not attract dirt and dust like a liquid such as WD 40 or regular grease.