Grease used on electric contacts to stop corrosion ??

[jack_s]

What is the grease used on electric contacts to stop them corroding ??

On my car, the washer bottle contacts are badly corroded.

I noticed on the front indicator light contacts, a White Grease was used on the electric contacts, I assume to prevent them corroding, as they will get lot of water/moisture as they are on front of car.

What is this grease used on electric contacts to stop corrosion ??

 

[Cartboy52]

I tend to use copper grease on the battery terminals. Not sure about any others.

 

[JohnD]

you can use a vaseline or lanolin product.

low-cost hand creams are usually this kind of thing emulsified with water, you can apply them with a small brush, and when the water evaporates it leaves a layer of protective grease.

 

[tim west]

we used to use vaseline, oh you mean on the battery terminals

 

[jack_s]

I tend to use copper grease on the battery terminals. Not sure about any others.

you can use a vaseline or lanolin product.

low-cost hand creams are usually this kind of thing emulsified with water, you can apply them with a small brush, and when the water evaporates it leaves a layer of protective grease.

I guess you could use almost any grease/cream with oil, but would it affect conductivity between contacts, causing similiar problem another way ??

 

[JohnD]

I thought you meant "terminals" or "connections" rather than the contacts in a switch.

if the connection has been made and tightened before you apply the grease it will not matter.

 

[evensparrows]

I use a silicone grease on any external connections, satellite connectors, electrical junctions etc. Seems to work in Shetland so should work pretty much anywhere!!

 

[jack_s]

I thought you meant "terminals" or "connections" rather than the contacts in a switch.

if the connection has been made and tightened before you apply the grease it will not matter.

I guess it depends when you apply the grease or cream.

I was talking about the spade/blade connectors used on my car washer pump & indicator light.

Thinking about it, I should make the connection, then apply grease/cream on top.

 

[plugwash]

actually covering contacts with insulating grease (most grease insulates afaiact) before mating is fine. The greease will be pushed away from the actual contact and will seal the connection very effectively against damp.

 

[JohnD]

spades will be OK anyway, they will scrape the mating surfaces clean of any excess grease as you push them together.

edited: bah, too slow

 

[Cartboy52]

Copper grease should conduct anyway

 

[jack_s]

I'm sure Vaseline/Petroleum Jelly should be ok, as it's recommended for battery terminals.