Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

XL391 · Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 2:16 am Post subject: Ok to use?

Morning,

I'm going to clean all the contacts all over the car to try and reduce the electrical gremlin population within the Jag. My question is, is it ok to apply a small amount of copper grease between the two connections to prevent further deterioration?
_________________
Regards,

Will

1972 Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Series 1
1965 Sunbeam Tiger Mk1
1968 Triumph 1300

Bitumen Boy · Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 11:12 pm Post subject:

Not sure about coppergrease, but ordinary Vaseline works quite well to give some additional protection. It's not just for battery terminals, in fact it meets all sorts of difficulties Smile

Uncle Alec · Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 734 Location: Manchester

Copper grease? No! It does conduct electricity but is not efficient, so heat will build up and do more harm than good.
Invest in a tin of Switchlube from Maplins or the grease in the link below, which has similar properties but is longer lasting. Switchlube, Electrolube or similar leaves a residual coating on electrical contacts.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/contralube-770-connector-lubricant-346030

Kelsham · Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 9:55 am Post subject:

In my last life as a service tech working on print machines we were supplied with small tubes of conductive grease. This was meant to be used on a sliding contact on a very high voltage circuit.

On one occasion I experienced problems where the charging of the drum it fed, was failing. I cleaned off the grese and normal service resumed.

I never trusted it again, and used only the minimum for lubrication afterwards.

The contacts need to be clean and tight, and anything you apply will be to keep moisture out.
Kels

Peter_L · Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 2:11 pm Post subject:

I tend to go with the "dry" surface contact. Both parts should be clean and as smooth as possible.

We have oil and grease in our vehicles in order to keep two surfaces apart.

colwyn500 · Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland

I used to be a mechanic in a workshop where we serviced commercial ride-on mowers. I borrowed some "skin-over" grease that was used on every electrical connection on Toro mowers and used it in a similar way on my Austin. 20 years on and all electrics are fine. It was black and dried hard. This also sounds useful but is different:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicone_grease

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4104 Location: South Cheshire

XL391 · Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 12:34 am Post subject:

Thank you for your replies gents. Smile

_________________
Regards,

Will

1972 Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Series 1
1965 Sunbeam Tiger Mk1
1968 Triumph 1300