dielectric grease

[NCWanderer]

Is dielectric grease OK to use as an over the ball lube? The reason I'm asking is I was in a auto parts store and the man there said he has a customer who buys it to use on his black powder pistol. He didn't know if the customer had a revolver or not. But it got me to wandering if it could be used as a over the ball lube, it would be real handy since it comes in a aerosol can.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I have used dielectric grease for many years and would never have dreamed of such a use(I don't shoot blackpowder). I also have never seen it in an aerosol spray. I don't know how well it would work in such a role but I would think there would be many more cost effective options.

 

[Bill from NJ]

I concur with jimmyray...

I never see it used for anything other than original purpose, and never as an aerosol spray.

Much too expensive to waste on a ball lube/sealant.

Unless you found a large tub/bucket of the stuff for free, I'd pass on the use for a ball sealant.

The auto parts people want to sell something, must be slow there.

Or they are blowing smoke up your caboose.

 

[Joe Demko]

If it is a petroleum-based grease, you are not going to want to use in conjunction with black powder.

 

[mykeal]

Dielectric grease is a silicone based compound, not a petroleum distillate. It is used in high temperature conditions but it will not withstand a black powder combustion environment (most dielectric greases break down at about 270 deg C, well below the black powder combustion temperature). Because it is a silicone compound it will not form the tar-like substance that often results from the incomplete combustion of petroleum distillate oils. However, it's use as a lubricant, and also as a fouling softener, is problematic due to it's tendency to break down in a bp combustion environment. I would also tend to doubt it's application as a chain fire preventative.

It can be a decent corrosion inhibitor, as it is not water soluble and will prevent water from reaching metal surfaces. However, it's not soluble in most common solvents like alcohol, ethanol or mineral oil, either. About the only solvent that can be used to clean it is methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), not a good thing to keep around.

Wouldn't it be rather expensive?

 

[NCWanderer]

Yes, it was a quiet pricey, and no I didn't buy any. But the man declared his customer was using it on his black powder gun. Since it's no good for over the ball lube, I don't know what he could be using it for. As for me I'll keep using grease cookies under the ball. They are cheap and they work fine for me. But I do have to adjust the recipe as the weather changes.
Hey, maybe business is bad at that parts store.