The Best Lithium Grease (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023
Lubricate and protect your moving metal hinges, springs, and latches with lithium grease.
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For general lubrication purposes, it’s hard to beat the versatility of lithium grease. It’s temperature- and weather-resistant. It also stays put wherever it’s sprayed or spread because it goes on wet and retains its lubrication properties after it dries. It lasts a long time, and it’s a great choice for everything from garage doors to boats because this stuff doesn’t wash off. It’s especially useful for lubricating points of metal-on-metal contact, such as bike chains and car door hinges. It’s also useful for lubricating things like brake and clutch cables. And best of all, it won’t harm plastic, metal, or rubber. If you’re not using lithium grease, you should start. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a trade professional, you need a quality can of lithium grease in your tool cabinet. We’ve put together a list of the top brands available.
WD40 Specialist White Lithium Grease Spray
This white lithium grease comes in a 10-ounce spray bottle. You can also buy a pack of six bottles. It sprays on as a liquid and sets dry to a thick coating.
- This grease is very protective and is meant for heavy-duty lubrication
- It can work in temperatures from 0-300 degrees Fahrenheit
- Nozzle can break on the bottle, which makes it ineffective
- Can be challenging to get the straw positioned right, so the grease comes out at unpredictable angles
CRC White Lithium Grease
This 10-ounce can of grease can be used for both home and automotive applications.
- This grease is long-lasting and will need fewer reapplications
- It’s also easy to use and has a wide variety of applications
- Spray is uneven, which can make it hard to aim
- Can make your metal components squeak
Lucas Oil White Lithium Grease
This squeeze tube of lithium grease is 8 ounces. You can order one tube or a pack of 12. It has a maximum temperature resistance of 345 degrees.
- This grease is nice and thick, which helps it stay right where you need it
- It also works really well for preventing corrosion
- May not help with squeak noises
- Grease can also feel “thin,” which may prevent it from heavier uses
What Is Lithium Grease?
This type of grease is made from lithium soap mixed with oil. Some special formulations also include additional ingredients, such as PTFE or molybdenum disulfide.
What Is Lithium Grease Good For?
Lithium grease is a white lubricant that’s considered an all-purpose lubricant. You can use it to lubricate metal on metal or metal on plastic. It will help reduce friction and encourage components to move smoothly. It also protects against rust.
This is a heavy-duty lubricant that works well in high-moisture and high-heat areas. You can use it on your garage door, car door hinges, metal springs, and any other application with moving metal parts.
Benefits of Lithium Grease
- Lubrication. Once you apply lithium grease, it will go to work to coat the components. This will create a smooth glide and create a smoother movement. This will keep the friction heat down.
- Longevity. Lithium grease has a long-lasting nature. This means it will last for long periods of time. This reduces the amount of maintenance and repeated applications you have to make.
- Viscosity. Lithium grease can have a thicker viscosity, which will help it to stick better where you need it. This will give you a better coat of grease and have fewer runs and drips.
Types of Lithium Greases
General Purpose
This type of grease will be effective in a wide variety of applications. It isn’t formulated to only work with a specific type of vehicle, component, or application. This grease will also have a generalized temperature range that it will work in. It won’t work in the highest heat or coldest temperature applications.
Marine Grade
This type of grease is similar to other lithium greases, except that they have additives that make them good for use in marine applications. This grease will stay in place during heavy water or saltwater environments. The key to making this grease work is ensuring it’s exactly the same as the grease already in place. It is not compatible with regular lithium-based greases and will cause it to malfunction.
Specialty Grease
When buying a specialty grease, you need to check the additives that have been added. This will help indicate the intended use of the grease. Do not try to use a specialty grease for any purpose other than the one intended. Check with the grease manufacturer to confirm the intended use before you apply it.
What Is the Difference Between Lithium Grease and White Lithium Grease?
The difference between the two types of grease is the ingredients used to make the grease. White lithium grease has zinc oxide added to the formulation. It’s meant for use in moderate load applications. It also stands out because it has a more visually appealing white color. It can be used in industrial or household applications. It isn’t recommended for use in wheel bearings.
Lithium Complex vs. Calcium Sulfonate
Both types of greases are good as multi-purpose greases. Calcium sulfonate outperforms lithium complex when it comes to shear stability, oxidative resistance, and dropping point. You can use it at higher temperatures, and it will hold up better under high stress.
Top Brands
WD40
Formulated in San Diego, Calif., in 1953, WD40 is the same formula the company sells today. You can find WD40 in four out of every five households today. Over one million cans are sold each week. There’s no denying that this lubricant is one of the most trusted on the market. Try out the WD-40 Specialist Protective White Lithium Grease Spray with smart straw that sprays in two ways.
Valvoline
Established in 1866, Valvoline has a history that spans over 150 years. The company is a world leader in producing premium lubricants and automotive services products. You can find its products in over 140 countries. Try the Valvoline Cobalt Heavy-Duty Grease Cartridge with its breakthrough viscosity technology.
Lucas Oil
Founded in 1989, Lucas Oil produces lubricants, greases, and engine oils. You can find over 270 formulations in over 40 countries worldwide. Its headquarters are located in Corona, Calif. If you have a lot of projects, the Lucas Oil 10533-12PK White Lithium Grease will give you plenty of grease.
Lithium Grease Pricing
- Under $20: You’ll find small spray cans and tubes of high-quality grease in this price range. This is a good price range for small projects and household uses.
- $20 to $40: In this range, you’ll find larger containers or packs of tubes or cans. This works well if you have several projects or a large project you need to work on.
- $40 and up: You’ll find specialty greases or larger commercial-sized containers of grease at the highest prices.
Key Features
Temperature Stability
Look for a high-quality grease that will stay soft when the temperatures get cold. It should also not melt in high temperatures. Both of these situations could cause a big mess and require cleaning and greasing. This is just a waste of grease. Compare the workable temperatures of the grease with your climate and the operating temperature of where you’re applying it.
Pressure Performance
The pressure performance of the grease will tell you how it will perform in certain applications. If too much pressure is applied, then the grease can shear or get too thin. This can happen under consistent operating conditions or sudden shock load conditions. Look for a grease that will bond with the metal surface if you have a high-pressure application.
Viscosity
This is the grease’s ability to resist flow or liquidity. You need to buy a grease that has the right level of viscosity for your intended application. Most automotive applications require the grease to be soft so that it can easily lubricate and move around the parts. Grease will have a viscosity measurement of 0 to 6.
Other Considerations
- Additives. Additional additives in your grease will give it extra performance capabilities. It could help it to operate at higher temperatures, lower temperatures, or prevent damage to the metal. Common additives are zinc oxide, glycerol, copper, and ceramic powder. Additives don’t automatically make the grease better. Only use an additive grease if it is designed for your intended purpose.
- Versatility. If you’re looking for a lithium grease for your home toolbox, then consider one with a lot of versatility. This will get you the most use out of the grease. You’ll save money by not having to buy several different types of grease. This could be for your garage door rails and spring, or automotive applications.
- Ease of Application. Look for a grease that comes in an easy-to-use container. A common container is a can that comes with a straw. You’ll insert the straw and have a targeted spray. Another common container is a squeeze tube. If it comes in a jar, make sure it’s not too runny or sticky, or you’ll have a nightmare on your hands.
Best Lithium Grease Reviews & Recommendations 2021
If you want a great general-use lithium grease for household tasks, the WD40 300240 Specialist White Lithium Grease Spray is a good option. When it comes to general purpose lubrication, WD40 is a brand that needs no introduction. This is part of its “specialist” line, which features specialized lubricants without the premium price tag you might expect. Like most WD40 products, this one includes an ergonomic sprayer with an integrated straw that you won’t lose. Most people have a can of WD40 in their garage or tool shed. It’s time you add a can of WD40 white lithium grease to your tool cabinet as well.
If you’re looking to save a few bucks, CRC White Lithium Grease is likely your best option. If you use white lithium grease a lot, you want to save money where you can. Every dollar counts, and this CRC product gets the job done just as well as the others while saving you money. So, what are you giving up at this price? Not much. This can of CRC uses a more traditional aerosol sprayer with an equally traditional red straw taped to the can. As far as what’s inside, you’ll find the same high-quality lithium grease that’s great for door hinges, bicycle chains, and anything else you need to lubricate.
Lucas Oil White Lithium Grease is one of the highest-performing greases available. It’s NLGI-2 rated for uniform temperature resistance and consistency. This grease is packaged in a toothpaste-style squeeze tube for precision application for automotive, marine, or power sport applications. If it’s tough enough for those conditions, you’ll be pleased with its performance around the house, too. We especially like this grease for protecting trailer hitch balls from corrosion, as it’s rated for extreme pressure and is waterproof. It’s also great for sliding windows and doors. Given enough time, we’re sure that you will find many more household uses for it.
If you’re looking for precise control and application, then check out Permatex White Lithium Grease. Many of the other brands on this list are aerosol sprays. This grease is packaged in a small squeeze tube, similar to many of Permatex’s other excellent gasket-maker and thread-locker products. Most folks will find that the medium 1.5-ounce tube will last a long time, but it doesn’t hurt to pick up two tubes. After all, white lithium grease doesn’t really go bad. In fact, that staying power is one of the things that has made it so useful. Lithium grease is inexpensive, so stock up and save yourself a trip to the store later.
If you want a specialized lubricant for your garage door, try the 3-In-One Professional Garage Door Lubricant. This lubricant is specially engineered to lube all the parts of your garage door—the track, hinges, chains, pulleys, and latches—with a quick-drying lithium grease formula that doesn’t attract much dust. This product also includes the aptly-named Smart Straw attachment. The straw is included in the ergonomic nozzle and folds out of the way when not in use. If you press the nozzle with the straw folded down, it’s just like spraying a regular can with no straw. For precision application or wide coverage on all garage door parts, this product simply has no equal.
Tips
- Pay attention to the shelf life of your grease. Some greases have a longer shelf life than others. Be sure to store it properly, too. Grease can go bad if stored in poor conditions.
- If there is any chance of the grease getting wet, then use a water-resistant grease.
- Do not mix different types of grease. They can react to each other badly and cause them to separate.
FAQs
Q. Is lithium grease dangerous?
You shouldn’t experience any adverse effects from using lithium grease at normal temperatures. At high temperatures, you should be careful of breathing vapors or fumes. If you swallow it, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and irritation.
Q. Can you use lithium grease on rubber seals?
This type of grease is a petroleum-based product. This means it can cause the rubber to swell and become slimy. Over time, it will disintegrate. You should only use silicone on rubber materials.
Q. Is lithium grease electrically conductive?
This grease is non-conductive, but it also shouldn’t be used for restoring corroded switch contacts.
Q. Does lithium grease prevent rust?
Lithium grease creates a coating on metal components. This protective layer seals the metal from moisture and thereby protects it from rust.
Final Thoughts
The best overall lithium grease is the D40 Specialist White Lithium Grease Spray for its reliable performance and broad compatibility.
For a more affordable option, consider the CRC White Lithium Grease with its targeted spray straw.
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