Petroleum vs Silicone on Canister O Rings

[OC Discus]

Is a sterile petroleum sealant on canister o rings as safe and effective as silicone sealant?

[sdrexler078]

I'd just get a new o ring. Is it bad and you're trying to reseal it?

[OC Discus]

No. It's new. Instructions with the canister suggest applying silicone sealant to the o rings after cleaning the canister. It actually came with a small amount, like grease- not a glue.

[OC Discus]

Will petroleum products, like vasoline, react with the o rings?

[sdrexler078]

It may I'm a mechanic and I know a lot of o rings get damaged by petroleum but some don't but that's with cars I'm not sure how yours will react. I would just use what they gave you if anything. I don't use any on mine. If it's to help slide it in you can just use water

[OC Discus]

It may I'm a mechanic and I know a lot of o rings get damaged by petroleum but some don't but that's with cars I'm not sure how yours will react. I would just use what they gave you if anything. I don't use any on mine. If it's to help slide it in you can just use water

Thanks. I think they recommend it to lubricate the seals and keep them from drying out and cracking.

I spilled a quart of oil into the spare tire well of a car once- a new car. The spare was sitting on a petroleum based cushion, for sound insulation. The cushion must have been petroleum based, because it reacted with the oil and turned to mush.

Does anyone else know if Vaseline is safe to lubricate canister o rings?

[nc0gnet0]

use a beeswax based chapstick.

[OC Discus]

use a beeswax based chapstick.

Thanks Rick. A little tube of this could be kept with the aquarium stuff.

Do you know if the Vaseline is bad? Actually "Aquaphor" is what I'm using. It is a sterile petroleum jelly.

[sdrexler078]

A small amount of vasoline should be ok. It doesn't react as bad as wheel bearing grease which I would definitely not recommend.

[Bill63SG]

I belive vasiline may break down the rubber,why take the chance if the already gave you silicone?

[nc0gnet0]

While it is true Vaseline can break down rubber, there are very few, in any gaskets/seals made out of rubber anymore. Almost all are made of synthetic materials and Vaseline will not be an issue. Myself, I find a little tube of burts bees chap-stick is pretty handy, easy to work with, and doesn't take up much space in my miscellaneous supply's drawer.

[Bill63SG]

After quick google,http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...hat-O-ring,why chance,I would use burt's,silicone,just not vasoline.

[OC Discus]

I belive vasiline may break down the rubber,why take the chance if the already gave you silicone?

Bill, they only supplied enough for the initial assembly of the unit. That would be a no brainer if they sent a bottle.

[OC Discus]

After quick google,http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...hat-O-ring,why chance,I would use burt's,silicone,just not vasoline.

Better to err on the side of caution. The last thing I need is to service my canister one day and the top ring is stretched out of shape. Probably a good idea to keep an extra set on hand. Looks like a trip to the drug store.

[Bill63SG]

They also cary stuff for o-rings at a pool store if you have one near you.