grease gun grease: a learn me

So my grease gun is empty. Again.

After running to the flaps this morning to get some, I realized I have no idea what kind i need, or really any understanding of the options on the shelf.

I typically use a grease gun for grease gun stuff. Wheel bearings, lubricate ball joints, u joints, trailer stuff, tie rods, etc. You get the idea.

So, what are all these options staring me in the face, and which one is right for me and my general purpose needs?

So, learn me, all ye intelligent and well knowledged grease gun wielders.

I use marine grease for everything.

Marine grease is what i got last time. Is there anything better?

You need two grease guns to do it properly. One for bushings and chassis lube and one for roller bearing. They should get different greases. http://www.hemmings.com/hmn/stories/2012/12/01/hmn_feature27.html

This is one of those deals where technology has outpaced the requirements, anything GC-LB #2 will do. Valvoline multi purpose for GM, Chrysler etc. comes to mind.

The last number is consistency. 1 is easier to pump than 2 in cold weather. Other than that I have always used the very tacky red grease for everything. It doesn't wash out or get pushed out as much under high pressure. Since I am not about to pack two grease guns around, bearings pins and bushings all get the same thing and seem to like it.

I use it because poly calls for a non petroleum based waterproof grease, and rubber doesn't seem to care, that way I can just use the same gun for everything.

Lucas Red N Tacky #2 has been my go to for everything for the past 5+ years. I like that it's bright read and easy to distinguish new versus old grease. Especially helpful on trailer wheel bearings.

I used it on SWMBO's elliptical just last night, it had started squeaking again. A few years ago I replaced all the worn out stock shoulder bushings, with actual full with bushings, thrust washers, and added grease zerks. I don't think Sears or Horizon ever intended the elliptical to last this long.

When the stock grease in my Kitchen Aid Artisan mixer had dried up, it got disassembled, cleaned up, and a healthy dose of Red N Tacky too. It's not "food grade" but the MSDS isn't too scary, and there's no way for it to make it from the gear housing into the mixing bowl.

So, I use it on literally everything.

I used marine grease on my trail jeep because it spent a lot of time doing water crossings, otherwise I've always used the yellow stuff. I think it's a lot like engine oil. Keeping it full and fresh is more important than brand and type.

Shell GADUS extreme pressure grease is what i stick in everything.

I keep two. One moly, one not moly.

Slightly off topic, but still relevant: what are you all using for grease guns? Air or manual? I've been meaning to pick one up for a while now (probably during my next HF excursion) and would like some suggestions for a cheap one.

Mystic red grease. Working with dirt equipment, I probably pumped 300 gallons of the stuff.

Appleseed wrote: Mystic red grease. Working with dirt equipment, I probably pumped 300 gallons of the stuff.

You don't happen to have fore arms like Pop-Eye?

We use air, the buildings plumbed with a grease gun in every bay. At home i use an el cheapo manual.

In reply to Furious_E:

I've got 2 grease guns, one has a rigid tube nozzle with a 45° bend and a large lever down the side of the tube for pumping.

My other has the option of a ~12" flexible hose or ~8" rigid straight tube nozzle. Either can be attached so they dispense out either the end or side of the gun. It also uses a single hand pistol grip style pump, so you can hold the gun and pump grease with one hand.

I had the lever style for over a decade, bought it at a parts store, probably Autozone, it never let me down, but left a lot to be desired when it came to being able to actually get the nozzle on a zerk, and pump the lever.

I got the pistol grip/pump style about a year ago, at Walmart I think. I put the flexible hose out the side, and haven't used my old lever style grease gun since.

Neither could have been more than $15, I know me, I'm cheap.

So This:

Is WAY better than this:

I've got dad's old lever style. All I've ever had.

In reply to Dusterbd13:

I know a traditional lithium based grease is not compatible with a polyurea based grease, so if you are switching from one to the other, or if you don't know what is in that application now, you need to be sure to clean out ALL of the old grease.

I've always used marine having grown up around boats. It may not be the best for every situation but it works better in most than standard grease I feel, ymmv. I've got two or three guns but they are all loaded with the same stuff, just different nozzles. Maybe I should have one loaded with something different..

In reply to bigdaddylee82:

Thanks for reminding me, I've been meaning to re grease my girlfriends kitchen aid mixer too, 20 years old and never been done. Dunno if I'm as brave as you not using food safe though.

In reply to chiodos:

Just don't induce vomiting.

If you're only doing the worm drive (assuming Artisan or similar mixer) there's no way for the grease to get into the mixing bowl, it's fully contained. We're talking thick viscous grease, not oil, and there's a substantial rubber gasket for the gear box. Now I did put a little on the lower planetary too, it could potentially leak out, if you tend to run your mixer upside down frequently, but in that case it'd be hard to keep the food in the bowl.

On guns, pistol grip with a hose all the way, cheap is fine just make sure to pump some grease though it before first use to push out any swarf. have a regular, needle(some u joints), and slide on right angle (tight spaces) coupler on hand. Due to the viscosity of grease you can just spin the coupler on hand tight and get to work without any leaks. I also like to keep the couplers and hose ends in ziplock bags, keeps the dirt away.

In reply to chiodos:

Make sure to get the proper food grade if you are concerned.

Furious_E wrote: Slightly off topic, but still relevant: what are you all using for grease guns? Air or manual? I've been meaning to pick one up for a while now (probably during my next HF excursion) and would like some suggestions for a cheap one.

air. air air air. i am not sure how i lived before i got an air powered gun.

In reply to Andy Neuman:

For sure, that was the plan

The Lincoln cordless grease guns are worth every penny if you grease things every day.

Did maintenance on a farm for 8 years, saw every grease gun under the sun. For anything where you take the grease to the work, the Lincoln cordless was awesome.