Grease is the go-to lubricant for car door hinges. It’s widely considered the best for car door hinges because of its ability to stay put for extended periods of time without drying out. As such, it can be used in a wide variety of situations, from doors that open frequently to those that remain closed for long periods of time.
When it comes to lubricating your car door hinges, there are a few different types of grease you can use.
Which one you choose depends on what’s available to you, as well as your specific needs. If you want to learn more about grease and what type might be best for your needs, continue reading. This blog post covers everything you need to know about what grease is for car door hinges and why it’s so popular with car owners.
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What Grease for Car Door Hinge?
Grease is a semi-solid mixture that consists of a softening agent, a solvent, and a base oil. The softening agent breaks down as the grease ages, causing it to harden up and lose its lubrication properties.
There are many types of grease for car door hinges, each of which has a different set of properties. The following list outlines the most common types of grease for car door hinges and what makes them ideal for use on hinges.
Beeswax-based Grease
Beeswax-based grease is a semi-solid material that can be used for doors that open and close frequently. It does not dry out, so it’s a great choice if your car spends a lot of time in the sun.
Lithium Grease
Lithium Grease is a liquid grease that’s commonly used in door hinges on both passenger doors and truck or SUV doors. It’s a good choice if your hinges see regular use, as it’s very durable and lasts a long time. It is good for resisting water and corrosion. It’s also non-toxic and doesn’t have a bad odor, so it’s a good choice if you’re looking for an all-purpose grease.
Molybdenum Disulphide Grease
It is a light grey grease that’s great for high-pressure applications. It has a high melting point, so it’s perfect for use in extreme temperatures. It is used on both passenger car and commercial vehicle components including flexible joints pivot pins, cams, screw threads, splined shafts, slides, and fifth wheels.
Calcium based Grease
Calcium soap thickened greases containing high viscosity index minerals, superior fats and acids and a synergistic blend of additives and performance boosters provide premium quality and outstanding performance. Provide high water resistance and anti-rust capabilities. Generally used to lubricate metallic surfaces, car bodies, and frames.
Silicon Grease
It is a clear, odorless grease that’s perfect for keeping things lubricated. It won’t attract dirt or dust, so it’s ideal for use in enclosed spaces.
Graphite Grease
It is a dry-film type of grease that’s an excellent choice for long-lasting lubrication with very low wear and tears. This type of grease is not recommended for hinges that are exposed to the elements, though, as it can crack due to temperature changes. Silicone and graphite lubricant are not the best options for car door hinges.
Why You Should Use Grease on Car Door Hinges?
As we’ve outlined above, there are many reasons why you might want to use grease on car door hinges. We’ve broken down the top four below.
- Easy to apply – Grease is very easy to apply and won’t require any special tools. You can simply apply it with your finger, or you can use a small brush to get into the crevices on your hinges.
- Long-lasting – Unlike many other types of lubricants, grease does not dry out. If you apply it correctly, it should last for many years.
- Versatile – Grease is suitable for a wide variety of uses, from doors on cars to bicycles and wheelbarrows. It’s suitable for high and low temperatures, so you can use it in almost all areas.
- Good value for money – Although it’s a more expensive lubricant, you only have to use a small amount of grease for each application. This means that it’s good value for money.
What Are the Benefits of Grease for Car Door Hinges?
There are a few reasons why grease is a good choice. First, it forms a barrier between the metal surfaces and helps protect them from corrosion. Second, it helps keep the hinges moving smoothly. And third, it prevents dirt and other debris from accumulating, which can cause further damage.
So why not just use oil instead of grease? Well, oil is a good choice for engines and other moving parts, but it’s not as effective for hinges because it can drip off and attract dirt. Grease, on the other hand, stays put and does the job nicely.
When it comes to choosing the right type of grease for your car door hinges, always go with a product that’s specifically designed for this purpose.
How to Choose the Right Grease for Your Car Door Hinges?
So, you’ve got a squeaky car door hinge. What do you do? Well, the first step is to figure out what type of grease you need. There are three types of grease: synthetic, mineral, and lithium.
Each type of grease has its own benefits and drawbacks. Synthetic grease is waterproof and doesn’t attract dust, but it can be expensive. Mineral oil is cheaper than synthetic grease, but it can become thick in cold weather. Lithium grease is the most durable, but it can be expensive and difficult to find.
The best way to choose the right grease for your car door hinges is to think about your needs and preferences. Do you need something that’s waterproof? Do you need something that’s affordable? Do you need something that’s durable? Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be able to choose the right grease for your hinges.
Problems with Using Grease for Car Door Hinges?
While grease is an excellent lubricant, it does have a few downsides. The main issue with using grease on car door hinges is that it can be hard to get off once it dries out. If you apply it incorrectly and it hardens, you might have to remove the hinge entirely to get it off. Another issue with grease is that it’s relatively messy.
Depending on what type you choose to use, it might get messy and leave stains on your clothing or nearby surfaces.
Lithium-based grease is the most popular type because it’s a good all-around choice. It’s waterproof, resists wear and tear, and doesn’t freeze or melt in extreme temperatures. However, it can be corrosive over time, so it’s important to keep an eye on it and replace it when necessary.
Molybdenum-based grease is also waterproof and resists wear and tear, but it doesn’t corrode as lithium-based grease does. It also has a higher melting point, which makes it a good choice for colder climates. However, it’s not as effective at resisting heat as lithium-based grease is.
Calcium-based grease is the most durable type of all, but it doesn’t work as well in cold climates and can be corrosive over time.
Related Guide: White Lithium Grease for Door Hinges? Keep in Top Conditions (2022)
How to Apply Grease to Car Door Hinges?
Applying grease to car door hinges is very easy, but it’s important to follow the correct steps to ensure that it stays put. The following steps outline the correct procedure for applying grease to your car door hinges.
- Clean the hinges – Before you apply the grease, you need to make sure that the hinges are clean. Dirt and grime can interfere with the efficacy of the grease and cause it to wear out more quickly.
- Choose the right grease for the hinges. When you’ve cleaned the hinges, make sure you use the correct grease. Different hinges require different types of grease, so make sure you get it right.
- Apply the grease – You can apply the grease to the hinges manually, or you can use a small piece of cloth or a brush to get it into the crevices.
- Let it sit – Once you’ve applied the grease to the hinges, you need to let it sit for a while. You should wait for around ten minutes before you put the car doors back into place, so it has time to penetrate the hinges.
- Close the doors – Once the grease has had time to penetrate the hinges, you can close the doors and put the car back into use.
Tips for Maintaining Your Car Door Hinges!
Taking care of your car door hinges is important if you want them to last. Here are a few tips:
- Keep them lubricated: This is the most important thing you can do. A thin coat of grease will help keep the hinges lubricated and moving smoothly.
- Avoid getting them wet: If possible, try to keep the hinges dry. If they get wet, let them dry thoroughly before applying grease.
- Use the right type of grease: Not all greases are created equal. You want to use a type that’s specifically designed for car door hinges. This will help keep the grease from wearing away quickly.
Solid Lubricant Alternative to Grease on Car Doors?
If you’re not a fan of grease or you want to avoid it due to its messiness, there are a few different solid lubricants that you can use on car door hinges. These are suitable for general use, so they’re not as versatile as grease, but they’re good for specific areas.
- Graphite – As we mentioned above, graphite is a dry-film lubricant that’s often found in pencils. It’s very durable and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. It’s a good choice if your hinges are exposed to the elements.
- Graphite Grease – As the name suggests, this is an alternative solid lubricant that’s similar to graphite. It’s a dry-film substance that’s very durable and can withstand high temperatures.
- Silicone Grease – Silicone grease is a solid lubricant that’s very similar to graphite grease. It’s a dry-film substance that’s very durable and can withstand high temperatures.
FAQs
1. Should I lubricate car door hinges?
In the absence of lubrication, hinges can eventually bind and bend, resulting in misaligned doors and hinges. This is also true for trunk lids, liftgates, tailgates, and hoods. It will be easier to operate hinges with less effort and more smoothly if they are lubricated with white lithium or another type of grease.
2. How do I stop my car door hinges from squeaking?
Squeaky door hinges can be prevented by applying grease to them. As dry metal rubs up against dry metal, a squeaking sound is created. A greased area glides over one another without grating when grease is added.
3. Does WD-40 help with squeaky car doors?
Squeaky doors can be solved with WD-40. As long as it stays on the hinges, it will not dry out. Wipe off any excess that drips from the hinges after spraying.
Conclusion
What grease for car door hinges should be the one that lasts for a long time and is easy to apply. While you should always check the hinges on your car’s doors to ensure they’re properly maintained, having the right grease on hand makes it much easier.
Before you do anything, you should learn how to properly lubricate door hinges. Once you’ve got that down, you can apply any type of grease to the hinges.
