“Learning how to use dielectric grease on battery terminals is a simple maintenance task that can prevent major headaches down the road.” Greasing your terminals preserves the lifespan of your battery. So, don’t just do it but do it correctly by thoroughly reading the PRO’s guidelines here. Thus, inculcating this mindset of greasing it rightly will enable you to have the best use of your automobile.
Table of Contents
Firstly, why lubricate battery terminals? Lubrication of the battery terminals disallows the oxidation that could be caused by the flaring of escaped gas from the terminals. Of course, you could use conductive grease and dielectric grease to achieve this.
However, dielectric grease coats the terminals and prevents water from rubbing relatively on the clamped terminals in a more preferable and safer than conductive grease. Furthermore, dielectric grease is applicable any time before your terminals begin to corrode. Meanwhile, an edge that dielectric grease offers throughout its varieties is the more prolonged protective impact it has on terminals.
Oil-based, silicone-based, and so on are among the available varieties of dielectric grease in the marketplace. Still, you’re to choose the type that can withstand your environment’s temperature and humidity.
How to Use Dielectric Grease on Battery Terminals. Indeed, you can use the steps below to grease your battery’s terminals and use it to know what to buy also. The highlighted steps cover all the varieties of dielectric grease and state how to use each. You can check them out now.
The Science Behind Dielectric Grease: Insulator, Not Conductor
Before we cover how to use dielectric grease on battery terminals, it’s crucial to understand a common and dangerous misconception. The name “dielectric” means it is an electrical insulator, not a conductor. This seems counterintuitive—why would you put an insulator on a connection that needs to conduct electricity?
The secret lies in the application process. You are not meant to put a thick layer of dielectric grease between the two metal contact points (e.g., between the terminal post and the inside of the terminal clamp). Doing so would actually block the flow of electricity. Instead, the grease is applied after a clean, tight, metal-to-metal connection has already been made.
Its primary job is to create a waterproof and airtight seal around the connection. This seal serves two critical purposes:
- Prevents Corrosion: It blocks moisture, oxygen, and acidic battery fumes from reaching the metal surfaces. It’s this exposure to the elements that causes the familiar fuzzy, blue-green corrosion to form, which can disrupt the electrical connection and prevent your car from starting.
- Seals Out Contaminants: It also keeps out dirt, road salt, and other grime that can interfere with the connection over time.
By understanding that dielectric grease is a protective sealant, not a conductor, you can apply it correctly to get all of its benefits without accidentally creating a poor connection.
How to Use Dielectric Grease on Battery Terminals?
A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Use Dielectric Grease on Battery Terminals
- Remove the battery from the clamp. You can use the wrench to unscrew the bolt that tightened the clamp onto the battery terminals.
- Get a brush with stiff bristles available. The brush could be the same size as the ones used to clean the teeth.
- Clean the bristle of the brush and ensure its bristle is dry before you start using it on your battery terminals.
- Get the dielectric grease available and paste some on the brush’s bristle. Apply the lubricant to the metal of the terminals.
- If the metals on the terminals are corroded already, you’d need to clean the dirt from both the clamp and the terminals before applying the grease.
- In order to clean the metals, mix soda with vinegar until it turns into a paste. Apply the paste onto the terminals while you wait for a few minutes.
- You can make soapy water available also while you wait. Immerse the brush inside the soapy water while the bristle scoops some foamy liquid while you remove it to wipe off the mixture on the metals.
- Wipe off the dirt from every part of the sleeve with a clean cloth. Ensure that the metals are dry before you paste the grease and evenly apply it to the metals of the terminals.
- The processes must be applied on the clamp simultaneously on the battery terminals. However, the contact points on the clamp and the terminals must encounter slight grease rubs so conductivity won’t be overly hauled.
- Using silicone-based dielectric grease, the grease would withstand a temperature rate between -40 degrees Fahrenheit and 320 degrees Fahrenheit. It would have to be used within some months.
- White-lithium dielectric grease and copper grease can prevent your battery from oxidation even at temperatures between -40 degrees Fahrenheit and 2,202 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Oil-based dielectric grease is common, but we don’t recommend it. Nevertheless, we advise you to permanently save your battery in a cool and dry place if it’s no longer in use, especially for a long time.
- Take the battery into its spot, fix the clamps on the respective areas, and carry out the ignition from the car.
Can You Use Dielectric Grease on Battery Terminals?
Yeah, you can, it prevents oxidation from corroding the connectors. Dielectric grease is safe for third-party contactors, which could include the operator. It’s often recommended because it can withstand high temperatures compared to those that conduct electricity.
Where Do You Put Dielectric Grease on Battery Terminals?
It’s on the contact points between the leads and the terminals. Frequently, the concentration lies on the base of the lead where the gas protrudes from slowly, while slight application is leveled on the contact sleeves of both the battery posts and the terminals.
Corrosion spreads if care isn’t taken, and that’s why this method is widely advisable. Also, another part is the uppermost part of the clamp and the terminals because of the temperature and oxidation that this side is susceptible to always.
Can I Use Silicone Grease Instead of Dielectric Grease?
Yea, you can. Fortunately, it’s an example of dielectric grease. It could be the ultimate corrosion resistance even when exposed to high temperatures. However, this is advisable for cars their battery is functioning correctly and not vehicles that can’t produce high voltage.
Can I Use Regular Grease Instead of Dielectric?
No, you can’t and shouldn’t endeavor to use it. Dielectric grease is designed for automobiles. You can only use other greases as dielectric if they are synthetic and possess no EP. Buy dielectric grease with comprehensive specifications.
At least, this would aid you in knowing how often you should use the grease on battery terminals. This could also serve as the sealant on spark plugs and the coating against corrosion; it could serve on battery posts and terminals.
What is the Difference between Dielectric Grease and Electrical Grease?
Dielectric grease doesn’t conduct electricity because of the absence of EP additive, an electrical lubricant like graphite grease. Electrical grease contains powdered metal, which is why it conducts electricity that dielectric grease doesn’t feature.
Final Words
This is how to use non-conductive grease on battery terminals. The steps are easy to practice.
Use to A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Use Dielectric Grease on Battery Terminals. The steps will give you the fantastic experiences you crave in every aspect. Indeed, we are optimistic you’ll also use this to make the right purchase. A professional can exploit this, and a newbie also. “Now you know the professional way how to use dielectric grease on battery terminals for maximum protection.”
Frequently Answer & Question
Question 1: What is the difference between dielectric grease and regular grease?
Answer 1: Dielectric grease is a non-conductive, silicone-based grease designed to seal and protect electrical connections from moisture and corrosion. Regular grease (like chassis or bearing grease) is petroleum-based and can damage rubber and plastic. More importantly, it is not designed for electrical applications and can become conductive if contaminated with metal particles, potentially causing short circuits.
Question 2: Can I use Vaseline (petroleum jelly) instead of dielectric grease?
Answer 2: While some old-school mechanics have used Vaseline, it is not the ideal choice. Petroleum jelly has a very low melting point and can easily melt and run off a hot battery terminal, leaving the connection unprotected. It can also degrade certain rubber and plastic components over time. A proper silicone-based dielectric grease is much more durable and heat-resistant.
Question 3: Should I put dielectric grease inside the battery terminal clamp before putting it on the post?
Answer 3: No, this is a common mistake. The goal is to have a clean, direct, metal-to-metal connection for the best electrical flow. You should clean both the terminal post and the inside of the clamp, connect them tightly, and *then* apply the dielectric grease over the entire exterior of the connection to seal it from the elements.
Question 4: How do I clean corrosion off my battery terminals before applying grease?
Answer 4: The best way to clean corrosion is with a mixture of baking soda and water. Create a paste, apply it to the terminals, and let it bubble for a few minutes. Then, scrub the terminals with a dedicated battery terminal cleaning brush or a stiff wire brush. Finally, rinse the area with clean water and dry it completely before reconnecting everything.
Question 5: How to Use Dielectric Grease on Battery Terminals?
Answer 5: Flow Up A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Use Dielectric Grease on Battery Terminals