Alternative To Silicone Grease

[Holypie]

Would teflon tape be an acceptable alternative to silicone grease for eyedropper conversions for a platinum preppy? It would probably look hideous but it might work, and be cheaper/more accessible than silicone grease. It's also pretty inert to my knowledge.

[professionaldilettante]

Nope. You'd be applying lateral pressure to the body of the Preppy, and it would crack after a few rounds of that. Sillicone grease is not expensive. Check Richard Binder's site. I know he's got some.

[Holypie]

Nope. You'd be applying lateral pressure to the body of the Preppy, and it would crack after a few rounds of that. Silicone grease is not expensive. Check Richard Binder's site. I know he's got some.

Ah, I was just wondering since I had some teflon tape. The problem with getting silicone grease from Binder or Goulet is that the cost of shipping is significantly greater than the cost of the actual grease. Oh well.

[P.A.R.]

You should look in the plumbing section of a hardware store.

[BamaPen]

Check your local SCUBA shop. Divers use it to lube o-rings.

[Apollo]

Remember, teflon tape is designed for metal pipes, not plastic or resin. The issue with teflon tape is that you'll be adding excess bulk on the threads which can lead to cracks in the barrel.

 

Silicone grease is safe on your pens and you can simply wipe off any excess when you apply it. Also, you don't necessarily have to order it from a pen retailer. Go to your nearest hardware or home improvement store and you'll find the stuff in the plumbing section.

 

This is the stuff I use. No petroleum additives and safe on rubber o-rings,plastic/resin.

 

http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/078698/078698718224xl.jpg

Edited January 30, 2012 by Apollo

[Holypie]

I couldn't find it where I looked, so I thought teflon tape would be an acceptable substitute.

 

Canadian hardware stores don't seem to have it on their website even though the American counterparts do.

 

Preppy threads are also rather loose so as long as the tape isn't used excessively then it should be alright.

Edited January 30, 2012 by Holypie

[OcalaFlGuy]

If you had convinced yourself already it was ok, why did you ask the question?

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[Holypie]

If you had convinced yourself already it was ok, why did you ask the question?

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

 

I hadn't, I was wondering if it was safe to use before I did it, so I didn't get inky. I think it's good to get a second opinion.

Edited January 30, 2012 by Holypie

[watch_art]

Teflon + Preppy = cracked barrel.

 

Using a Preppy is bad enough, but teflon will shorten it's lifespan considerably.

[Apollo]

I couldn't find it where I looked, so I thought teflon tape would be an acceptable substitute.

 

Canadian hardware stores don't seem to have it on their website even though the American counterparts do.

 

Preppy threads are also rather loose so as long as the tape isn't used excessively then it should be alright.

 

Even if you were to apply a thin piece of teflon tape to the threads the tape itself could tear as you screw the barrel on thus leaving a less than perfect seal. You'd also have to peal the stuff off and reapply every time you refill or want to swap inks. You also risk having a cracked barrel by using teflon tape. Hey, it's your pen. If you want to have a go at using teflon tape then by all means go ahead. I wouldn't recommend it, though. If you don't want to order online and pay shipping costs I would advise going to your local hardware store or plumbing repair shop and get yourself some siicone grease.

Edited January 30, 2012 by Apollo

[Holypie]

Just tried it with water and it's working pretty well, just need to find a balance between enough tape to provide a seal without overdoing it. ~3.5 revolutions works well. I'll come back with results after a more thorough test (a day of use).

[Messmer]

Nope. You'd be applying lateral pressure to the body of the Preppy, and it would crack after a few rounds of that. Sillicone grease is not expensive. Check Richard Binder's site. I know he's got some.

Ebay, 15$ for 2oz if I remember right. Last for decade.

[Pippin60]

You should look in the plumbing section of a hardware store.

 

 

Check your local SCUBA shop. Divers use it to lube o-rings.

 

Both should work. Amazon.com has it too, Make sure if its from plumbing that its 100% silicone grease, thats where I got it from.

Edited January 30, 2012 by Pippin60

[SueEllen]

I used Teflon tape once and didn't like the results-- fortunately it was $6.00 pen. (I also tried rubber cement once! I know, right? Not good.) If you pm me with your address, I can send you the extra silicon grease that I have. (It looks just like the one pictured in above post.) I got two tiny pots of it with my TWSBI, and won't need this bigger one.

[Apollo]

Just tried it with water and it's working pretty well, just need to find a balance between enough tape to provide a seal without overdoing it. ~3.5 revolutions works well. I'll come back with results after a more thorough test (a day of use).

 

 

Good luck with that. It may work out for you this time, but teflon tape will shorten the lifespan of your pen.... Just saying.

[professionaldilettante]

Just tried it with water and it's working pretty well, just need to find a balance between enough tape to provide a seal without overdoing it. ~3.5 revolutions works well. I'll come back with results after a more thorough test (a day of use).

Your funeral. I want to laugh if I see a post with a photo of some guy's hand and desk covered in BSB from a cracked barrel. Those things are risky enough to use, no need to pull the pin on a Preppy. It's not if they go off, but WHEN.

Also, really now. If you had convinced yourself that this was acceptable, why bother asking?

Edited January 30, 2012 by professionaldilettante

[P.A.R.]

I actually need to get myself some grease - I accidentally cut the o-ring that goes between the piston filler and the section threads on my Ahab, so I can pretty much only use it as a ED filler for now. Strangely enough the Ahab doesn't need silicone grease or an oring for use as an ED pen.

[cuza]

You'll pay a premium if you buy your grease from a scuba shop. I paid $12.00 for two fluid ounces (Trident LP20). TruValue or Ace hardware stores might be cheaper.

 

 

 

--

cuza

[sajiskumar]

Check this link :substitute to silicone grease