Tefgel as furler bearing grease

[markxengineerin]

I found an old thread where someone asked about using Tefgel as a winch grease. He was mocked and some thought trolling, but I think it's a good idea.

Here is what happens to SuperLube/steel when it mixes with salt water, from the rear hub of my folding bicycle a few weeks after it fell off a dock and briefly submerged:

It's a rusty sludge

Every grease I've ever seen washes of my hands much more easily than Tefgel, which seems immune to dish detergent, acetone, and probably salt water.
Tefgel contains a lot of ... Teflon. One of, if not the lowest friction materials.

In a winch or furler, the main thing the grease needs to do is displace water and salt, and not turn solid or react with anything its exposed to. It's a bonus if it's slippery, but I think these things would run ok and last a long time if they were dry. Loads are pretty small, most are human power, and not small components.

Why is this a bad idea, has anyone tried it? I've only known about TefGel for a year, not long enough to verify the claim that it won't be washed away by salt water. But I would love some bearing grease that's less affected by the inevitable exposure to the ocean.

[Simi 60]

You've seen the price of tefgel right?

Why not use a decent waterproof grease?
$10 for a 400 gram cartridge

[Stu Jackson]

Tefgel and Lanocote are used to keep dissimilar metals from solidifying into each other: think of screws and nuts&bolts, aluminum into stainless.


Grease has an entirely different purpose.


You might read up on the websites of the different products if you haven't already.

[markxengineerin]

I know what they're marketed for, but "waterproof grease" isn't waterproof at all- see photo above. Tefgel seems more waterproof, when I try to wash it off my hands, and feels pretty greasy.

Re the cost: Tefgel is extremely cheap compared to a furler or a winch, especially if they're electric.

[ItDepends]

TefGel is very good at what it does: Keeping water out of static parts with small clearances.

As a lubricant for moving parts, it is poor. There is a LOT more to proper lubrication of moving parts that a material that is waterproof. Use the right product for the job.

Furler grease in an unsealed unit exposed to air and water needs to be renewed AT LEAST every 6 months. If you want to be lazy and not do that, then you'll suffer the consequences later.

That's not trolling. That's engineering.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by markxengineerin

I know what they're marketed for, but "waterproof grease" isn't waterproof at all- see photo above. Tefgel seems more waterproof, when I try to wash it off my hands, and feels pretty greasy..

Clearly you are not using the right grease

I run hi tack lith grease in the underwater bearings on my vessel.
They've been running fine fully immersed for 40 years.

[paralog]

Furler grease for furlers.

Bike grease for bikes.

Don't listen to some of many "experts" next you will be wanting to use WD40.

Tefgel is not the correct stuff, it is used as and Anti seize.

Look for a good marine waterproof grease at your local marine store.

[s/v Jedi]

My furler gets hosed off with water for maintenance, that’s it. Grease

[JC Reefer]

Originally Posted by markxengineerin

In a winch or furler, the main thing the grease needs to do is displace water and salt, and not turn solid or react with anything its exposed to.

How about we start with the furler. What brand of furler do you have?

Those with torlon bearings are not sealed and do not require grease in the same way. Think Harken.

Those with steel bearings and seals use bearing grease. Think Profurl and most others.

^ assuming you have steel bearings I’ll say this and then leave it alone… Bearings are a big business, with lots of thought going into the grease as well.

The idea of using steel and rubber in a Maine environment with lots of sun is questionable.

Maybe pick up a bearing from an auto part store and test some substances in a bucket of seawater.

Just a thought. I would not experiment on my own furler. Let us know how it goes. Send pictures [emoji16]

[MarkSF]

Not sure about other furlers, but my Harken cruising furler has Torlon bearings which require no lubrication - regular maintenance is to flush with fresh water when you do the rest of the boat, thus removing any wear-causing particles.

Any kind of grease would just attract dirt and cause more rapid wear.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

My furler gets hosed off with water for maintenance, that’s it. Grease

My Torlon balls like a fresh soapy rinse and dry….no grease here.

[ItDepends]

WTF...

I think it is pretty damn obvious from the photo that the OP posted that the furler in question does not have torlon bearings. Why even bring them up????

[ItDepends]

Originally Posted by paralog

Furler grease for furlers.

Bike grease for bikes.

Don't listen to some of many "experts" next you will be wanting to use WD40.

Tefgel is not the correct stuff, it is used as and Anti seize.

Look for a good marine waterproof grease at your local marine store.

paralog,

can you please clarify what "experts" recommend WD40 as a lubricant????

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by ItDepends

WTF...

I think it is pretty damn obvious from the photo that the OP posted that the furler in question does not have torlon bearings. Why even bring them up????

Read the first post again.
A furler is not pictured

[JC Reefer]

Originally Posted by MarkSF

Not sure about other furlers, but my Harken cruising furler has Torlon bearings which require no lubrication - regular maintenance is to flush with fresh water when you do the rest of the boat, thus removing any wear-causing particles.

Any kind of grease would just attract dirt and cause more rapid wear.

So fancy with you torlon bearings.

Kidding aside, it’s obviously a superior design. Perfect expect for the cheap cheap drum covers. I could sell hundreds of those a year.