Hi Scotty, what is the correct lubricant for plastic car door check strap such as those on a Toyota Corolla? i've repeatedly told a dealer to stop using "petrolium" based lubricants which causes the doors to squeak and takes me an hour to clean off. What do you use?
petroleum based stuff can degrade plastics/rubbers.
Use something silicone based which is inert.
for example, brake or dielectric grease.
You won't find a "definitive" answer.
Genuine GM Fluid 12371287 Synthetic Lubricant with Teflon
" Will not attack plastic parts "
Thanks mate!
TBH, I don’t know the exact answer to this. But on new cars, I can see remnants of white lithium grease on other hingers and clasps, so I conjecture that white lithium grease is the best bet. But IDK.
how do you know it's white lithium? Because it's white?
It has the texture, consistency of white lithium grease. What else could it be?
So does mayonnaise. There loads of white lubricants out there.
What other white lubricants would make sense? That has the same consistency as white lithium grease? And color? White lithium is very distinct, IMHO, but I am open to learning about other lubricants of the same consistency and color.
That's my point it could be anything. White isn't a distinct color. Things appear white because light scatters off tiny suspended particles in a very finely emulsified mixture. Milk and sunscreen are both white. Does that mean that they are the same thing?
The consistency of grease is ... greasy.
Did you know the stuff commonly sold as "white lithium grease" doesn't have ANY lithium in it. They look white due to the artificial pigments they add to it, to make it look white. The rest of what's in the can is a total mystery cocktail, and varies from brand to brand. There really is no definition for what "white lithium grease" even is. At least, none that I could find.
There are so many different kinds of industrial lubricants that exist, many of which are white. I have no idea what you saw on that hinge.
My suggestion is to crack open the owner's manual. Mine gives recommendations for lubricant products that can be used for various parts.
FWIW, this is my anecdotal evidence for why I think it is white lithium grease, as defined by what you can buy off the shelves as labeled as “white lithium grease”.
On a new RAV4, on the hinge and lock mechanism, I saw this white stuff on them. Same with the sun roof hinges and mechanical components. I touched it and it felt very familiar, but I couldn’t place it.
At first, I thought it was dirty or something that wasn’t supposed to be there. Then I realized it was supposed to be there to lubricate. Good thing I realized because I was about to wash it off.
I had a can of white lithium grease, so I sprayed some out to test the consistency after it dried up.
They were both essentially the same texture and color. Granted they could be two totally different things. But if I had to place a bet, I’d place it as some sort of white lithium grease that was in the brand new RAV4. I’ve never seen anything like it before on a new car.
You're guessing. But who knows, maybe some sales monkey grabbed it off someone's toolbox and used it to spray down the car.
Spray grease is fine for metal parts, but unless the product label specifies otherwise, it will have compatibility issues with some plastics. It's just safer to use something that was intended for the purpose of plastics. And there are plenty of products out there for that, such as the one I posted above.
Besides that white stuff is really unsightly (you noticed it enough to reach out and get your hands in it). I would rather use something clear.
Yes, I am guessing. We are both guessing. Neither of us know for sure.
This is on a brand new car! Granted, the dealer could have added it, but I highly doubt dealers would do that, because why spend the extra time and money on it?
Clear!!! Yes, that’s why this is so baffling, because there must be a reason Toyota uses this white stuff, which I think is white lithium grease. It could be something different.
This white stuff is what caught my eye and lead me down my comparison with a can of white lithium grease I had laying around.
"I highly doubt dealers would do that,"
Actually , there's a whole ritual that dealers go through with cars they get. They need to be prepped before they can be delivered to the customer.
PTFE lube is white too.
There may be a ritual. It truly looks stock from the factory though. Just the nooks and crannies is the white stuff was in doesn’t seem like dealer stuff. But who knows, we are both guessing.
It could very well be PTFE. It wouldn’t be my guess.
Are my wonderful Nissan dealer used the wrong lube again - paraffin based. Makes the doors squeak like mad. Spent 30 minutes cleaning all off and apply silicone based tap grease. So no one knows?
I specifically want to know what "mechanics" use. I have searched the interenet high and low and there is no definitive answer other than White Lithium Grease which is also petroleum based. Are there any good shop mechanics out there who can advise what they use?