Grease

About Grease

Grease is an essential lubricant used across virtually every trade and industry to reduce friction, prevent wear, and protect metal components from corrosion and contamination. Unlike oils that flow freely, greases are semi-solid lubricants consisting of a base oil thickened with soap or other agents, allowing them to stay in place on vertical surfaces, open gears, and bearings where liquid lubricants would simply run off. From general-purpose lithium grease for everyday applications to specialised high-temperature, food-safe, and anti-seize compounds, having the right grease to hand is crucial for maintaining tools, machinery, vehicles, and equipment.

The grease selection at Tooled-Up.com includes trusted brands like Rocol, Sealey, 3 in 1, and Bosch Professional, offering everything from multi-purpose bearing greases and silicone lubricants to specialist products for extreme conditions. Whether you're maintaining power tools, servicing automotive components, lubricating industrial machinery, or working in food processing environments, you'll find professional-grade greases formulated to meet specific performance requirements. Available in convenient tubes, cartridges, and applicator-ready formats, these products ensure you can apply the right lubrication exactly where it's needed.

Modern greases are engineered to perform under demanding conditions – withstanding high temperatures, resisting water washout, maintaining performance in dusty or contaminated environments, and providing long-lasting protection between maintenance intervals. From workshop benches to remote site work, the correct application of quality grease extends equipment life, reduces downtime, and ensures optimal performance across countless applications.

Jargon Buster

• Lithium Grease: The most common multi-purpose grease, offering excellent mechanical stability, water resistance, and temperature performance typically from -20°C to +130°C. Ideal for general workshop and automotive applications including bearings, chassis points, and sliding mechanisms.
• NLGI Grade: The National Lubricating Grease Institute classification system measuring grease consistency from 000 (semi-fluid) to 6 (block-like). Grade 2 is the most common, having a consistency similar to peanut butter, suitable for most general-purpose applications.
• Drop Point: The temperature at which grease changes from a semi-solid to a liquid state. A higher drop point indicates better performance in high-temperature applications, crucial for bearings in hot environments or machinery that generates significant heat.
• Anti-Seize Compound: A specialised grease containing metallic particles (typically copper, aluminium, or nickel) designed to prevent galling, seizing, and corrosion on threaded fasteners and assemblies exposed to high temperatures, chemicals, or corrosive environments.
• Food Grade Grease: Lubricants certified as safe for incidental food contact, meeting NSF H1 standards. Essential in food processing, packaging, and pharmaceutical industries where contamination risk must be eliminated.
• Water Resistance: A grease's ability to resist being washed away or emulsifying when exposed to water. Critical for outdoor equipment, marine applications, and machinery operating in wet conditions.

Who Uses Grease?

Grease is used daily by a wide range of professionals and trades:

• Mechanics and Auto Technicians: Lubricating wheel bearings, suspension components, steering linkages, and chassis grease points
• Plant and Maintenance Engineers: Servicing industrial machinery, conveyor systems, motors, and production equipment
• Electricians: Protecting electrical connections and lubricating cable pulling operations
• Plumbers and Heating Engineers: Lubricating taps, valves, pump seals, and threaded connections
• Agricultural Workers: Maintaining tractors, harvesters, and farm machinery exposed to harsh outdoor conditions
• Joiners and Carpenters: Maintaining power tools including drill chucks, gearboxes, and sliding mechanisms
• Construction Workers: Servicing site equipment, power tools, and machinery in dusty, demanding environments
• Food Industry Technicians: Maintaining processing and packaging equipment with food-safe lubricants
• DIY Enthusiasts: General household maintenance, bicycle servicing, and equipment care
• Marine Engineers: Protecting components from saltwater corrosion and maintaining deck equipment

How to Choose the Right Grease

Application Type: General-purpose lithium grease suits most everyday workshop and automotive needs. Specialist applications demand specific formulations – bearing grease for high-speed rotation, anti-seize for exhaust systems and threaded fasteners, silicone grease for rubber seals and O-rings, or white lithium grease for visible applications where cleanliness matters.

Operating Temperature: Check the grease's temperature range matches your application. Standard greases typically perform between -20°C and +130°C, whilst high-temperature formulations withstand extreme heat in applications like oven conveyor bearings, kiln equipment, or brake components. Food industry and pharmaceutical environments often require high-temperature food-grade alternatives.

Environmental Conditions: Consider water exposure, contamination levels, and chemical contact. Marine and outdoor applications need excellent water resistance and rust protection. Dusty construction sites require greases that resist contamination. Food processing demands NSF-certified food-safe products.

Load and Speed: Heavy machinery and high-pressure applications require extreme-pressure (EP) additives to prevent metal-to-metal contact. High-speed bearings need lower-viscosity greases that don't generate excessive friction and heat, whilst slow-moving heavily-loaded equipment benefits from thicker, tackier formulations.

Compatibility: Ensure new grease is compatible with existing lubricants and seal materials. Mixing incompatible greases can cause separation and loss of lubricating properties. When changing grease types, thoroughly clean components first. Silicone greases are particularly suitable for rubber and plastic components.

Packaging Format: Tubes offer precision for small jobs and tool maintenance. Cartridges fit standard grease guns for bulk lubrication of machinery and vehicles. Applicators with built-in mechanisms suit occasional users. Consider the volume you'll use and application method required.

Popular Accessories

• Grease Guns: Manual, battery-powered, and air-powered applicators for dispensing grease from cartridges to fittings and components
• Grease Gun Couplers: Various fittings to connect grease guns to different grease nipple types
• Grease Nipples: Fittings installed on equipment to enable easy grease application without disassembly
• Mini Grease Applicators: Compact hand-operated devices for precision lubrication in tight spaces
• Cleaning Solvents: Degreasers and parts cleaners for removing old grease before reapplication
• Workshop Paper and Rags: Essential for wiping excess grease and keeping work areas clean
• Lubrication Charts and Tags: For recording maintenance schedules on machinery and equipment
• Nitrile Gloves: Chemical-resistant gloves for protecting hands during grease application

Safety Information

Skin Protection: Wear nitrile or chemical-resistant gloves when applying grease, particularly specialist formulations containing metal particles or synthetic additives. Prolonged or repeated skin contact can cause irritation or dermatitis. Clean hands thoroughly after use and before eating or smoking.

COSHH Compliance: Consult safety data sheets for specific greases, especially specialist products. Some formulations may present hazards requiring specific handling or disposal procedures. Ensure adequate workplace risk assessments are conducted in line with HSE guidance.

Food Safety: In food processing environments, only use NSF H1 certified food-grade greases. Whilst these are safe for incidental food contact, they should still be applied carefully to minimise contamination risk and used in accordance with food safety regulations.

Storage: Keep grease containers sealed when not in use to prevent contamination. Store in cool, dry conditions away from direct sunlight and ignition sources. Clearly label containers and observe shelf life recommendations to maintain product effectiveness.

Over-Greasing: Applying excessive grease can cause overheating in bearings, seal damage, and equipment malfunction. Follow manufacturer's specifications for lubrication quantities and intervals. Excess grease can also create slip hazards on workshop floors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between grease and oil?
Grease is oil suspended in a thickening agent (usually soap), creating a semi-solid consistency that stays in place on vertical surfaces and open mechanisms. Oil flows freely and is better for enclosed systems with circulating lubrication. Grease is ideal for bearings, gears, and components where oil would run off or require frequent reapplication.

Can I use general-purpose grease in all applications?
Multi-purpose lithium grease suits many common applications, but specialist situations require specific formulations. Food processing needs food-grade grease, high-temperature environments require heat-resistant products, and some applications benefit from silicone or anti-seize compounds. Always match the grease specification to the application requirements for optimal performance and equipment longevity.

How often should I apply grease to equipment?
Lubrication frequency depends on the application, operating conditions, and manufacturer recommendations. High-speed or heavily-loaded bearings may need monthly greasing, whilst light-duty equipment might only require annual attention. Check equipment manuals for specific intervals. Over-greasing can be as problematic as under-greasing, so follow recommended schedules.

What NLGI grade should I use?
NLGI Grade 2 is the standard consistency for most general applications, suitable for automotive, industrial, and workshop use. Grade 1 (softer) suits low-temperature or centralised lubrication systems. Grade 3 (firmer) works better for vertical applications or wheel bearings. Unless specified otherwise, Grade 2 multi-purpose lithium grease is your best starting point.

Can different types of grease be mixed?
Mixing incompatible greases can cause them to separate, soften, or harden, losing their lubricating properties. If changing grease types, clean components thoroughly first. Lithium-based greases are generally compatible with each other, but avoid mixing different thickener types (lithium, calcium, aluminium, polyurea). When uncertain, clean completely before applying new grease available from Tooled-Up.com.