Lubricants

What are lubricants?

Lubricants are the greases, oils, and sprays used to reduce friction, wear, and corrosion between moving parts. Every bearing, gear, chain, hinge, slide, and threaded fastener relies on a thin film of lubricant to keep metal surfaces apart, so parts move smoothly instead of rubbing, overheating, and wearing out. Lubricants also help keep out moisture and dirt, protect against rust, and free up parts that have seized.

We stock a wide range of lubricants for engineering, automotive, workshop, and household maintenance, from industrial grease cartridges to multi-purpose oils and aerosol sprays.

Common lubricants include:

• Greases - thick lubricants that stay in place, ideal for bearings, joints, and slow-moving parts
• Silicone sprays - lubricate and protect rubber, plastic, and metal parts, keeping seals supple
• Multi-purpose oils - light oils for hinges, locks, tools, and small mechanisms
• Multi-purpose sprays - loosen, lubricate, displace moisture, and protect against rust
• Penetrating oils - free seized nuts, bolts, and fixings
• Cleaners and degreasers - remove old lubricant, oil, and dirt before relubrication

Key features:

• Reduces friction and wear - keeps moving parts running smoothly and extends their life
• Protects against corrosion - forms a barrier against water, damp, and contaminants
• Frees seized parts - penetrating products help release stuck fasteners and mechanisms
• Displaces moisture - helps protect electrical and mechanical parts from damp
• Wide range of formats - grease cartridges, tins, oil cans, and aerosols for different jobs

In simple terms, lubricants keep moving parts working smoothly, protect them from wear and rust, and help machinery last longer.

Why are lubricants essential?

Lubricants are essential because friction and wear are among the biggest causes of machinery failure. Without enough lubrication, bearings overheat, gears wear, chains stretch, and moving parts seize. Moisture and dirt can also cause rust and corrosion, especially on outdoor equipment and vehicles. Using the right lubricant helps prevent these problems and keeps equipment running reliably.

Their main benefits are:

• Longer component life - reduces wear on bearings, gears, chains, and moving parts
• Smoother operation - parts move freely and quietly, without squeaks and rattles
• Less heat - reducing friction helps keep parts running cooler
• Corrosion protection - helps protect metal parts from rust and damp
• Easier maintenance - penetrating and multi-purpose products free stuck parts and make servicing quicker
• Lower energy use - well-lubricated machinery needs less effort to run
• Fewer breakdowns - regular lubrication helps prevent unexpected failures

Lubricants are used across a wide range of industries and applications, including:

• Engineering and maintenance - bearings, gearboxes, chains, slides, and machinery
• Automotive and transport - wheel bearings, hinges, locks, cables, and moving parts
• Agriculture - tractors, implements, and farm machinery exposed to dirt and weather
• Construction and plant - pins, bushes, and joints on heavy equipment
• Manufacturing and production - conveyors, machine tools, and production lines
• Workshops and garages - general servicing and repairs
• Home and garden - tools, hinges, locks, bikes, and garden machinery

The main types of lubricants

Lubricants are usually grouped by their form and the job they do.

Greases:

• General purpose greases - suitable for a wide range of bearings and moving parts
• EP (extreme pressure) greases - contain additives that protect parts under heavy loads and shock loads, ideal for demanding industrial applications
• Grease grades - greases are graded by consistency, known as the NLGI grade. Softer grades, such as grade 1, flow more easily and suit centralised lubrication systems and colder conditions, while grade 2 is a common general-purpose consistency
• Grease cartridges - supplied in standard cartridges that fit grease guns for quick, clean application

Oils:

• Multi-purpose oils - light oils for hinges, locks, tools, and small mechanisms
• Penetrating oils - thin oils, sometimes with graphite, that seep into threads and rust to free seized parts
• Machine oils - for lubricating machine slides, tools, and mechanisms

Sprays:

• Silicone sprays - lubricate and protect rubber, plastic, and metal parts, keeping seals supple and helping prevent sticking and freezing
• Multi-purpose sprays - loosen, lubricate, displace moisture, and protect against rust
• Penetrating sprays - free seized nuts, bolts, and fixings
• Chain sprays - lubricate and protect chains in machinery, vehicles, and bikes

Cleaners:

• Brake and parts cleaners - fast-evaporating sprays that remove oil, grease, and brake dust from parts
• Cleaner degreasers - remove old grease and grime before fresh lubricant is applied

How to choose the right lubricants?

Choosing the right lubricant means matching it to the part, the load, the speed, and the working conditions. Work through these points in order:

• Part type - choose grease for bearings and joints, oil for small mechanisms and hinges, and sprays for hard-to-reach areas and quick maintenance
• Load - choose an EP grease for heavy loads and shock loads
• Grease grade - choose a softer grade for centralised systems and cold conditions, and a firmer grade where grease needs to stay in place
• Speed - choose lubricants suited to the operating speed, as high-speed parts may need lighter lubricants
• Temperature - check the temperature range, especially for parts near engines, motors, or hot machinery
• Environment - choose water-resistant products for parts exposed to rain, washdown, or damp conditions
• Materials - choose silicone sprays for rubber and plastic parts, as some petroleum-based products can affect rubber
• Seized parts - choose a penetrating oil or spray to free stuck fixings before applying a longer-lasting lubricant
• Cleaning - clean off old grease and dirt before relubricating, using a suitable cleaner or degreaser
• Compatibility - avoid mixing different greases without checking that they are compatible, as some types can react and lose performance
• Manufacturer guidance - follow the equipment manufacturer’s lubrication recommendations
• Quality and brand - choose lubricants from reputable brands and suppliers for reliable performance

FAQ - All you need to know about lubricants

What is the difference between grease and oil?

Oil is a liquid lubricant that flows easily and suits small mechanisms, hinges, and fast-moving parts. Grease is oil thickened into a semi-solid, so it stays in place longer and suits bearings, joints, and parts that are hard to relubricate often.

What does EP mean in grease?

EP stands for extreme pressure. EP greases contain additives that help protect parts under heavy loads and shock loads, making them ideal for industrial bearings, pins, and bushes.

What does the number on a grease mean?

The number is the NLGI grade, which shows how firm the grease is. Lower numbers are softer and flow more easily, while higher numbers are firmer. Grade 1 is softer than the widely used grade 2.

What is silicone spray used for?

Silicone spray lubricates and protects rubber, plastic, and metal parts. It is ideal for seals, weatherstrips, slides, and mechanisms, and helps stop parts from sticking or freezing.

What is penetrating oil used for?

Penetrating oil is a thin oil that seeps into threads and rust to free seized nuts, bolts, and fixings. Graphite-based penetrating oils also leave a lubricating film behind.

Can I mix different greases?

It is best not to mix greases unless you know they are compatible, as some thickeners can react and lose their lubricating properties. Clean out old grease before switching to a new type.

How often should I relubricate bearings?

It depends on the speed, load, temperature, and environment. Follow the equipment manufacturer’s recommendations, and relubricate more often in dirty, wet, or high-temperature conditions.

Can too much grease be a problem?

Yes. Over-greasing can cause bearings to overheat and can damage seals. Apply the recommended amount and avoid packing bearings completely full unless the manufacturer advises it.

How should I store lubricants?

Store them in their original containers, tightly closed, in a cool, dry place away from heat, sunlight, and ignition sources. Keep grease cartridges and tins sealed to stop dirt from getting in.