Best Lubricants for Your Project

There are basically two kinds of lubricants: multi-purpose and specialty. Made of light oils, general or multi-purpose lubricants work fast. You can use a multi-purpose lubricant on metals or woods. They usually require re-application.
Specialty lubricants are made with silicone, white lithium grease or other ingredients. Specialized lubricants are made for a variety of specific projects and can even shine stainless steel.

Perfect for stuck hinges or rusted bolts, oils are thin and reach deep into the seams of a rusted hinge or lock. Penetrating oils usually have chemicals that dissolve rust and are perfect for stuck joints or bolts. They coat objects with a protective layer that stops corrosion and rust.

Multi-purpose spray lubricants last longer than oils. A spray reduces friction and keeps moving parts such as window tracks, power tools and table saws performing properly. They dry quickly, so there’s less of a problem with dirt and dust buildup. They are also ideal for removing sticky or gooey substances from shoes, clothes, carpet and more.

Lubricants made with silicone waterproof and protect both metal and non-metals. They are great for rubber, plastic and wood surfaces. Silicone lubricant sprays are also specially made to work cables, gears, pulleys and more. They are good for unsticking vents and cleaning grill surfaces.

Lubricants that contain white lithium grease work well for outdoor equipment and vehicles. This heavy-duty lubricant provides a thick barrier that prevents and cleans rust and corrosion. It’s ideal for hand tools, power tools, garden equipment, guide rails, sprockets, latches, hinges and more.

Other grease lubricants include calcium sulfonate, marine grease and synthetic grease. Calcium sulfate is made for high speed and extreme temperatures. It’s usually used to lubricate construction or farm equipment.
Marine grease is formulated for boats and other things that are submerged in water. Synthetic grease is most often used in machinery used for heavy loads.

• Stop squeaks and unstick hinges.
• Remove crayon from washable walls and a variety of surfaces.
• Spray on doorknobs and other metal hardware to make removing any splattered paint easier.
• Make rusty bolts or locked screws easier to remove.
• Safely clean electronics, electrical equipment and circuit boards with specialty lubricants.
• Spray on sports cleats and spikes to prevent mud, turf and dirt build-up.
• Keep rubber seals and weather stripping from drying and cracking.
• Adds shine to stainless steel in kitchens.
• Free broken keys from locks.
• Helps break in a new baseball glove.
• Use to pre-treat tar stains on clothes before washing.
• Keeps art clay from sticking to molds for easy removal.
• Removes “permanent” ink off whiteboards and other surfaces.

• Clean insects off vehicles.
• Fix squeaky hinges on automotive doors, windshield wipers, gates, ladders, storm doors and roof ventilators.
• Keep mower and saw blades moving freely.
• Clean, maintain and prevent rust on dirty tools.
• Remove sticky tree sap from cars and other surfaces.
• Pre-treat paint brush bristles to keep them soft and easier to clean.
• Prevent foliage from sticking to pruning shears.
• Make dirt or snow slide off shovels, spades and more.
• Spray ATVs to make dirt and mud roll off.
• Spray new boxes of nails to keep them rust-free.
• Unstick wheels and cables with garage door lubricants.