Note to self: Buy aluminum grease

[Storker]

So, I decided to take the tray off my NA-EM5 today. Those screws were HARD to loosen. Finally, after finding a pair of pliers to turn the coin with (the screws are made for tightening with a coin, not a screwdriver or an Allen key) , I managed to unscrew them. The coin has looked better...

Also, lots of white/grey powder in the holes, probably a mix of salt and oxide. After owning bikes (including a couple with a steel frame and an Al seatpost) for a couple of decades, I should know that steel against aluminum is a bad combination.

Gotta get some anti-seize before I put the tray back on the housing...

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[Akimbo]

Careful with anti-seizing compounds, not all are compatible with Aluminum. Forespar’s Lanocote is a popular choice for housings. You really have to read labels carefully of the anti-seizing compounds sold in auto parts stores.

 

[3D diver]

Subscribed for future purchase, thanks!

 

[Wookie]

The real deal (take it from me, I have an aluminum boat, aluminum engine block in another boat, aluminum camera housings, etc.) is tef-gel. Read about it here.

 

[Storker]

Careful with anti-seizing compounds, not all are compatible with Aluminum.

Thanks for the tip. I ought to know, but a reminder is always helpful.

For steel/steel, I've been using plain copper grease, and I was thinking about just as plain aluminum grease here. Do you have any opinions on that?


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[Akimbo]

In years past I would just use silicon grease, which is better than nothing to reduce the risk of corrosion locking fasteners. Lanocote was recommended to me by Backscatter and Pacific Housing Repair. I don’t have experience with Tef-Gel recommended by Wookie, but I’m sure it is good.

I guess the big issue is what is easily available in Trondheim, Norway. Check the marine supplies, they should know. If it’s good enough for an Aluminum vessel in the North Sea it should be fine… as long as you don’t have to buy it in drum-quantities.

 

[Tony F]

How about Christo-lube? I know it's used for servicing regulators, but would it work?

 

[Wookie]

How about Christo-lube? I know it's used for servicing regulators, but would it work?

Nope. Christo-Lube and Silicon grease are excellent tools for lubricating o-rings, but they tend to trap water against the metal parts if there is any void. I've had a number of piston regulators with Stainless main springs actually corrode and fail (it's the only way to get a regulator fail to prevent you from getting air, BTW) that were environmentally sealed. The lube will trap water against the metal parts and the corrosive properties of the seawater work from there. I used to use silicon when installing stainless screws in aluminum boat bits. The aluminum bits would corrode heavily where the silicon (both grease and sealer) covered the aluminum, and allowed galvanic corrosion with the stainless.

I use aluminum anti-seize for any part that is not two metals in nature, like a brass valve stem with brass valve bonnet and disc, copper based anti-seize is never appropriate when used with aluminum. Copper + aluminum = Battery. Ever want to sabotage an aluminum boat? Throw a handful of copper pennies in the bilge. A copper penny will eat through 1/4" aluminum plate in about 2 weeks if salt water is present. The Tef-Gel is made for stainless and aluminum parts together in a salt water environment.

For the OP, look for Tef-Gel here:
Yachtsenteret
Hundvagveien 6b,
Hundvag,
Stavanger,
4085
Norway

Tel: 0047 5186 9035
Fax: 00475186 9031

 

[Akimbo]

… Ever want to sabotage an aluminum boat? Throw a handful of copper pennies in the bilge. A copper penny will eat through 1/4" aluminum plate in about 2 weeks if salt water is present…

No joke. I have heard people refer to copper bits aboard Aluminum boats as “time delayed Limpet mines”. A lot of the anti-seize compounds sold in automotive stores have copper in them. The problem is not nearly as severe on housings as boats because they usually aren’t grounded all of the time, but the effect is the same… just a little slower.

This brings up an interesting question… is there enough copper plating on the pennies today to have the same effect? Given the price of copper, Limpet mines may be cheaper!

 

[Wookie]

No joke. I have heard people refer to copper bits aboard Aluminum boats as “time delayed Limpet mines”. A lot of the anti-seize compounds sold in automotive stores have copper in them. The problem is not nearly as severe on housings as boats because they usually aren’t grounded all of the time, but the effect is the same… just a little slower.

This brings up an interesting question… is there enough copper plating on the pennies today to have the same effect? Given the price of copper, Limpet mines may be cheaper!

Bits of copper wire (when you re-terminate an end) are just as effective and harder to find.