OP
I would have thought it would attract more foreign matter and be harder to keep clean.Uncle Pug:
O-ring lubrication.
- Thread starter Kim
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Dynamic o-ring: Lube her up.
These O-rings are constantly exposed to motion, without adequate lubrication they will wear and deteriorate rapidly resulting in leaks. Ex: Hose swivel joints, 1st stage swivel turrets.
Internal static o-ring: light lube, just enough to be shiny.
These are lubricated primarily to extend the life of the o-ring and preventing dry rot, especially in humid environments. it also serves to make sure that the o-ring can be seated properly without getting caught or contorted.
Ex: LP/HP port o rings, tank valve neck o-ring.
Exposed static o-ring: Dry
Do not lubricate. Lubricating exposed o rings will allow dirt and debris to stick to and foul your sealing surface.
Ex: Tank valve o-ring
I highly recommend that you DO NOT use spit. What is spit? Mostly water. This will cause dry rot and is not a good or adequate lubricant. If in an absolute pinch, use the grease from your forehead between your eyes or around your nostrils. But be sure to change it out/clean and properly lubricate when possible. While we usually change our our o -rings before they have time to dry rot, I can tell you first hand from my time as a radio operator, that the gents who just use spit on their o-rings had nasty looking poor sealing o rings by the end of deployments vs the guys who used actual grease.
These O-rings are constantly exposed to motion, without adequate lubrication they will wear and deteriorate rapidly resulting in leaks. Ex: Hose swivel joints, 1st stage swivel turrets.
Internal static o-ring: light lube, just enough to be shiny.
These are lubricated primarily to extend the life of the o-ring and preventing dry rot, especially in humid environments. it also serves to make sure that the o-ring can be seated properly without getting caught or contorted.
Ex: LP/HP port o rings, tank valve neck o-ring.
Exposed static o-ring: Dry
Do not lubricate. Lubricating exposed o rings will allow dirt and debris to stick to and foul your sealing surface.
Ex: Tank valve o-ring
I highly recommend that you DO NOT use spit. What is spit? Mostly water. This will cause dry rot and is not a good or adequate lubricant. If in an absolute pinch, use the grease from your forehead between your eyes or around your nostrils. But be sure to change it out/clean and properly lubricate when possible. While we usually change our our o -rings before they have time to dry rot, I can tell you first hand from my time as a radio operator, that the gents who just use spit on their o-rings had nasty looking poor sealing o rings by the end of deployments vs the guys who used actual grease.
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