Of course, everyone is aware that metal components need to be lubricated with grease or oil to reduce friction and wear and tear. It also prevents rust and corrosion. But do you know that rubber components also require lubrication? Yes, rubber components, especially in the automotive industry, need to be lubricated to prevent the rubber from drying or hardening up over time.
When rubber hardens up, it could crack and deteriorate fast. This is why rubber components also need to be lubricated. However, not every grease works well with rubber. There’s a particular type of grease that works with rubber. It is made of vegetable oil. To differentiate the grease from other types of grease, manufacturers added a red dye to its ingredients. And that gave birth to the red rubber grease.
What Is Red Rubber Grease Used For?
Generally, Red Rubber Grease is used to lubricate synthetic and natural rubber products. So, it is often used in clutch applications, shock absorbers, and hydraulic brake systems. It is also used to lubricate moving rubber-based parts in systems like O-rings in a cylinder piston.
What is Red Rubber Grease?
A bit of it has already been explained above. It is a type of grease made from vegetable oil that is used to protect rubber components from drying, hardening, and cracking. It also protects rubber components from water ingress. It is red in color because a red dye has been added to its ingredients. The red color is meant to distinguish it from other types of oil or grease.
This means that whenever you’re looking to buy grease to lubricate rubber components, you should be looking for red grease. Also, if you’re trying to buy grease to lubricate metal components and you come across red grease, shun it. Red grease is meant for rubber components. Red grease is compatible with synthetic and natural rubber products.
What is Castrol Red Rubber Grease?
Castrol is a brand of red rubber grease that is specially formulated for the lubrication of natural rubber components. It is used to lubricate rubber products in cars and commercial vehicles. You’ll find it in parts like clutch hydraulic mechanisms and brakes.
Is Red Rubber Grease Compatible with Brake Fluid?
Yes, of course, red rubber grease is compatible with brake fluid. It works effectively with dust boots and piston seals. Also, it supports DOT 3, 4, and 5.1 brake fluid. It is important to bear in mind that not all grease is compatible with brake fluid. Some grease will react negatively with brake fluid, while some others will damage the plastic housing of the brake fluid.
How long does Red Rubber Grease last?
Well, it depends on usage. If your vehicle is being used every day, you need to apply rubber grease to the rubber components at least once a year. Also, the shelf life of red rubber grease depends on the brand and storage. Storing your red rubber grease in a conducive atmosphere will make it last longer.
Also, some brands, like Castrol red rubber grease, last longer than other brands. So, you should choose a trusted brand. Even if it’s slightly more expensive, it will last longer. That being said, red rubber grease generally lasts for about three to five years.
Is Red Grease Waterproof?
Yes, red rubber grease is waterproof. That’s why it is able to protect rubber components from water ingress. However, water resistance is in levels. Some brands of red rubber grease provide higher levels of water resistance than others. So, it is a good practice to find out the level of water resistance a particular brand of grease provides before paying for it. One brand of red rubber grease that offers a high level of water resistance is Castrol red rubber grease.
5 Major Benefits of Red Rubber Grease:
- It is compatible with all kinds of natural and synthetic rubber components. That’s why it is used to lubricate O-rings, bushings, and seals. In addition, it is also compatible with brake fluids.
- Red rubber grease is fully biodegradable. It will decompose naturally on its own. That’s why it has a shelf life.
- Since it is resistant to water, it will protect natural and synthetic rubber components from water ingress.
- Unlike other types of grease, red rubber grease is resistant to hydrocarbons like diesel, kerosene, and gasoline.
- It protects rubber against cracking, drying, hardening, corrosion, and deterioration. In other words, red rubber grease extends the lifespan of rubber components.
Can I Use Red Rubber Grease on Slider Pins?
Yes, you can use red rubber grease on slider pins, but the best type of grease for slider pins is silicone grease. It will last longer and also help the boot to prevent dirt, dust, and debris.
Red Rubber Grease Vs. Silicone Grease:
Both red rubber grease and silicone grease are water resistant and they have high melting points. Also, they both last long. However, they have two major differences. Red rubber grease is made from vegetable oil, while silicone grease is made from a mixture of silicone, base oil, and thickener. The difference in their manufacturing process led to the difference in their features.
Silicone grease is soluble in hydrocarbon compounds like gasoline, diesel, and kerosene. However, red rubber grease is highly resistant to hydrocarbons. This implies that you should not apply silicone grease to any component that may get exposed to hydrocarbons.
Why is Some Grease Red?
To differentiate rubber grease from other types of grease in the production line, manufacturers added a red dye to the grease during its manufacturing process. This red dye gives rubber grease its red color. So, whenever you come across any red grease, it’s probably rubber grease.
Final Words
To recap the main points discussed above, red rubber grease is made from vegetable oil, so it is compatible with natural and synthetic rubber. Also, it is red in color because a red dye is added to its ingredients for the purpose of distinguishing it. Red rubber grease is resistant to water and hydrocarbons. And it will also protect rubber components from drying, hardening, and cracking.
