vaseline as a lube

[homedepotpro]

with vaseline negatively affect pvc, if i use it to lubricate my piston

[Rudesill Ballistics]

I think there was a test conducted on Joel's forum a few years back that involved petroleum products on PVC, and he found that it doesn't seem to degrade it.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_o ... 568cdef958

^Here is a study by ScienceDirect of the decomposition of PVC when mixed with petroleum.

I don't think vaseline will cause any immediate degradation

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

What's wrong with KY

[MrCrowley]

What's wrong with KY

Nothing, just don't let your gf catch you using it. Personally I use plumbers lubricant for pistons etc, just ask at any hardware store.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Nothing, just don't let your gf catch you using it.

What, it's hers

a-a-a-a-nyway, back on topic...

[goathunter]

I've found Ultra Slick PTFE lube works very well.I can't remember the price but I got it a marine part supplier.To answer the first question,vaseline does work well for a piston lubricant.And if it degrades the PVC you aren't using true PVC.PVC is petroleum proof and chemical resistant.

[iknowmy3tables]

petroleum product don't really weaken pvc, but maybe your orings and sealing face depending on what material its made of

[Marco321]

Hey
A member on this forum (i cant remember who it was) recommended i use vasaline as a possible lubricant for my epoxy pistons. It worked better than cooking spray and this special spray lubricant designed for machinery. It is also cheap and easy to use, it also doesn't smell bad like some lubes. My cannon is pvc with epoxy pistons and inner tube sealing face. I have had no problems with it, and it seems to last for a long time in the gun.

[beebs111]

well when i lubricate my piston i like to slather on lithium greese making sure it is coated all around, that seems to make it slide quite well. i also occasionally use lithium grees for spudgun related things like my coaxial

[joannaardway]

Vaseline will not negatively affect PVC, but it will damage rubber over time.
Use a PTFE lube or silicone grease to avoid damaging your rubber seals.

[DYI]

Couldn't petroleum jelly ignite if it was exposed to air at a high enough pressure?

[PinHead]

It's possible, but highly unlikely. You would need some pretty intense pressure to generate enough heat to ignite that stuff.

Vaseline is good stuff for pistons depending on the type of piston you have. Like joannaardway said, any petroleum based product will eventually eat away at rubber o-rings or seals - not sure how it affects neoprene though? I would assume the same.

The only drawback is that it can be kind of thick, so though it may slide very smoothly, it will have more drag than a thinner lube. However it's thickness could also help to seal a piston without o-rings that doesn't fit perfectly tight in it's bore. I have some synthetic oil made specifically for air tools which I plan on using whenever I get around to making my piston; it's supposed to be compatible with any pneumatic tool with rubber seals.