Remember that grease is simply an oil in a binder material. Most of the
red greases are an oil (synthetic or petroleum) in a very fine clay
binder (read kitty litter). When the oil migrates out of the binder,
you are the left with a gooey mess. Other greases use a soap (lithium)
binder. Braycote uses Bray oil in a teflon based perfluorinate
polyether binder so that when the synthetic oils separate, the binder
left is still slippery. The best recipe is to keep the oil mixed with
the binder. We spent a lot of time looking at this for greases that
could be in storage for up to 30 years and had to work immediately.
For a grease that is compatible with plastic bearings, look toward fine
synthetic oils. Lithium and perfluornates are basically inert. It will
definitely depend on the plastic material used in the bearing but most
tolerate synthetics. Most plastics used in bearings are self
lubricating and shouldn't need anything more that flushing the dirt out
of them.
Neil Schiller
1970 Redwing 35, Hull #7
(C&C 35, Mark I)
"Corsair"
Retired Rocket Scientist
On 3/13/2016 10:32 AM, David Knecht via CnC-List wrote:
My interpretation of what I have read is that it is not about the
compatibility of the grease with the plastic (although that could be
an issue), but more about how to effectively lubricate a plastic
bearing. I think they are thinking about the stickiness of the grease
(any grease) and suggesting it is better to use an oil with those
lightweight plastic bearings. I don’t remember any such warning on
the Lewmar winch grease, although it looks and feels different (dark
color) from the Harken (white grease). However, the Barient
instructions on the C&C site says to lubricate everything except the
pawls with Barlube, which I presume is a grease, so likely I am
worrying too much. Dave
Aries
1990 C&C 34+
New London, CT
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