Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

New: Take Part in the March Giveaway: Coming Soon 3/24


Can I use Vaseline instead of grease?
#1
Hello Alex, I was just cleaning my bearing balls and I realized that I don't have waterproof grease in handy, so can I use Vaseline (pure petroleum jelly) instead for now until I get a waterproof grease?

Thank you, Ghaleb
  Reply
#2
Hi Ghaleb,

As far as I know Vaseline is not a good bearing lubricant:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=99455

I'd recommend picking up some regular bike grease, a must have for any home repair shop!
  Reply
#3
(07-19-2008, 07:10 PM)Guest Wrote:  Hello Alex, I was just cleaning my bearing balls and I realized that I don't have waterproof grease in handy, so can I use Vaseline (pure petroleum jelly) instead for now until I get a waterproof grease?

Thank you, Ghaleb

Hi Ghaleb
I was recently stuck without any proper grease to put in my rear wheel bearings on my cycle, I used vaseline as a stop gap measure, the cycle wheel ran very well with vaseline, a few weeks later i stripped out the rear wheel to put in proper cycle grease and the vaseline was still there with the bearings in good condition. In my experience, vaseline works as a temporary measure, not sure about a long term thing as I don't know the scientific properties of it and have not tested it long term. James
  Reply
#4
Vaseline will melt when hot. From friction.

Use a grease. Automotive wheel bearing grease will work fine, or marine waterproof grease. Even better.

Bicycle greases when available. Although I'd still use marine grease myself. Got bunch of it for my motorcycle.
Never Give Up!!!
  Reply
#5
+1 on the boat trailer wheel bearing grease. Inexpensive and lasts a very long time.
Nigel
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
27,827
10-10-2012, 05:50 PM
Last Post: SPANNER
 
11,866
06-28-2012, 02:28 AM
Last Post: Joe_W
 
83,274
12-22-2011, 02:10 PM
Last Post: Joe_W
 
29,286
08-03-2011, 07:20 PM
Last Post: nfmisso
 
18,596
07-04-2011, 10:30 PM
Last Post: gcb
 
39,573
06-22-2011, 03:47 AM
Last Post: Dalton2250
 
30,154
04-30-2011, 09:15 AM
Last Post: KC-Steve
 
28,108
04-19-2011, 02:07 AM
Last Post: Bill

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
What tools have you bought recently?
Yesterday 06:57 PM
Santini fluted frame
Yesterday 06:47 PM
Expensive bikes with crappy wheels
Yesterday 10:15 AM
Where are you from and What is your favo...
03-27-2024 11:43 PM
2007 Trek Pilot S.P.A. 5.2
03-27-2024 07:06 PM
2010 Specialized Hardrock
03-26-2024 09:16 PM
1990 Specialized Rockhopper How to Fluff...
03-25-2024 07:05 PM
Thread busted on right pedal crank
03-24-2024 08:52 PM
Trek domane tyre
03-24-2024 05:48 PM
Modern rims crack at spoke holes
03-24-2024 05:32 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Painkiller
21 posts
no avatar 2. ReapThaWhirlwind
16 posts
no avatar 3. Jesper
15 posts
no avatar 4. GirishH
15 posts
no avatar 5. meamoantonio
15 posts