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Permatex Brake Caliper Lubricants: Green (Synthetic), Purple (Synthetic) & Orange (Silicone)

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19K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  EddyCurr  
#1 ·
Syl-Glyde Brake Lubricant is NOT readily available to me. Permatex brake lubricants ARE available

What are the differences between the green, purple and orange versions of Permatex brake lubricants? Is each product type intended mainly for use on certain parts of the brakes?

For clarity, here are product names and SKU #'s for 8 Fl Oz (236 ml) versions of each product in their US & CDN pkgng:

Permatex Silicone Ceramic Extreme Brake Parts Lubricant (Orange,, 8 Fl Oz - SKU #80653)​
Permatex Silicone Ceramic Brake Lubricant (Orange, 236 ml - SKU #24122)​
Permatex Ultra Disc Brake Caliper Lube Synthetic Lubricant (Green, 8 Fl Oz - SKU #24110)​
Permatex Ultra Disc Brake Caliper Lube Synthetic Lubricant (Green, 236 ml - SKU #09125)​
Permatex Synthetic Brake Lubricant (Green, 236 ml - SKU #24121)​
Permatex Ceramic Extreme Brake Parts Lubricant (Purple, 8 Fl Oz - SKU #24125)​
Permatex Ceramic Extreme Brake Lubricant (Purple, 236 ml - SKU #24126)​

Unfavorable reviews of SKU #24121 Green on one vendor site complain about rapid breakdown of rubber parts such as the boots for slider pins. A comment from one person cites the synthetic nature of the green product and mentions the petroleum base as a cause for the rubber failures. That person recommends Permatex's silicon-based brake lubricant.

Note: the Purple brake lubricant is also a synthetic base - I do not see unfavorable comments about the purple lube.
 
#2 · (Edited)
Incidentally. I had already purchased purple Permatex Ceramic Extreme Brake Lubricant (236 ml - SKU #24126).

Before discovering the complaints about green attacking rubber bits, I applied this purple synthetic brake lubricant to a caliper slider pin and test-fit the pin in the Caliper Support bracket (no boot). There is NOTICEABLE sliding contact between the pin and the bracket.

I do not know what lubricant had been used when brake maintenance was performed before, but whatever it is, it enables the pins in the other Support bracket to slide SMOOTHLY in their bores - even now after a long period of service.

Searching for an alternative lubricant is what led me to the complaints about green Permatex. In addition to not providing lubrication "feel" that is compareable to the previous lubricant, my purple Permatex is also synthetic, just like the green Permatex.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Thank you for the tip. Do you happen to know whether the DOW product contains molybdenum (moly)? If you post the actual product name and SKU, I can search for Dow's product tech literature.

Edit: Found a Prod Info Sheet for it - https://www.duniway.com/images/_pg/datasheet-DC-150.pdf
"Service Temperature Range1°C (°F)-40 to 204 (-40 to 400)"​
Hmmm: The upper end of this range is low, relative to values stated for products intended for use on brake components.​
Edit: I am partly wrong.
Although low relative to brake lubricant containing ceramic [-50°F to +3000°F (-46°C to +1649°C)], the upper limit of the service range is similar to non-ceramic brake lubricants. SIL-GLYDE is 425°F. Permatex Ultra Disc Brake is 400°F.​

Perhaps the question above about Permatex's brake lubricants is better raised with the folks over at Bob Is The Oil Guy. I'll search the BITOG archives and start a thread if necessary, then report back.

Incidentally, I notice that SIL-GLYDE Brake Lubricant no longer appears on the AGS website. Instead AGS lists Cerami-Glyde Brake Lubricant in 4 gm, 4 oz and 8 oz pkgng.

Edit: I am wrong. SIL-GLYDE Brake Lubricant is still on the AGS site.​
 
#5 ·
Perhaps the question above about Permatex's brake lubricants is better raised with the folks over at Bob Is The Oil Guy. I'll search the BITOG archives and start a thread if necessary, then report back.
+1

I look forward to seeing what the lube guys over there have to say.

Personally, I use syl-glide. I had another lube that I used interchangeably, but ran out and have forgotten the name of it, sorry. To be honest, each was just OK in practice. They were great for slide pins, but I wonder if something MUCH tackier would be better for the pad backing plates and ears/bracket.
 
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#6 · (Edited)
Edit: I seriously question Subaru's choice of Phillips Multiplex Red as an alternate to Niglube. Multiplex is a mineral oil based grease and is not compatible with the EPDM rubber used in brake systems. Toyota red rubber grease is readily available alternate, unlike NiGlube and is a PAG (Polyalkylene glycol) based grease for use on brake caliper pins, pistons and associatde EPDM rubber components.

Dow silicone vacuum grease is a thick low vapor pressure silicone grease developed for use on rubber seals in vacuum systems (think aerospace vacuum tanks, not your household vacuum). It does not contain Moly. I use it occasionally on rubber parts just because I happen to have a leftover tube, otherwise I wouldn't bother with the extra expense. It's not intended as a metal-metal lube, but I expect it has some capability. Dow just doesn't advertise it.

Rather than use a one-size-fits-all lube, you might consider a Subaru approved alternate to the spec'd Niglube RX-2 for use on the caliper pins. It's a lithium complex extreme pressure grease from Phillips 66 called Multiplex Red #2 (Renamed Mutiplex 220 #2 a couple years ago.)

You'll find the Niglube referred to as "rubber grease" in some of the literature due to it's compatibility with the seals. The same goes for the Phillips product. The load bearing capability and anti-gall properties are superior to silicone products. Going from memory on that part as I can't find the chart.

Whatever you use, it's good practice to clean all old grease from whatever you're lubing prior to using a different grease to avoid compatibility issues.
 
#9 ·
I should have warned you - they just changed their forum format. I had to change my password. Maybe older members who haven't logged in for a long time just got booted.
 
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#11 ·
I should have warned you ..
No worries, I'm back in at BITOG now.

Clearly no need for me to create a thread there about Permatex Brake Caliper Lubricants, this topic has already been addressed numerous times beginning 2017 or earlier. A couple more threads


I now have in hand an 8 Oz tube of SIL-GLYDE Brake Lubricant for use on my FXT slider pins.

Since I already used a small amount of the expensive purple Permatex Ceramic Extreme Brake Lubricant, I doubt I will be successful in returning it. So I intend to apply purple Permatex on the leftover used slider boots and damper sleeve, then set these parts aside to see what takes place over time.
 
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