What kind of lubricant should be used for squeaky door hinges?
3 Answers
Use white grease or Vaseline. Here are the relevant details: 1. White grease: A patented synthetic lubricant containing nano-scale PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) lubricating particles. This grease has a smooth surface and excellent lubrication, heat dissipation, rust prevention, and sealing properties. It is particularly suitable for precision instruments, mechanical components under high-temperature conditions, and heavy-duty high-load equipment. Since it does not contain metal-based thickeners, it does not degrade the base oil, making its application range even broader. It can be safely used on plastic, rubber, and metal contact points, making it a truly multifunctional synthetic grease. 2. Vaseline: A semi-liquid mixture of alkane hydrocarbons or saturated hydrocarbons, also known as petroleum jelly, obtained through petroleum distillation. At room temperature, its state is between solid and liquid, and it comes in brown, yellow, and white colors depending on its intended use. Natural Vaseline is derived from concentrated residues of petroleum heavy oils like alkane hydrocarbons, while artificial Vaseline is made from mixtures of mineral oil thickened with pure ozokerite, paraffin, or petrolatum. Vaseline has a mineral oil odor but lacks the smell of kerosene. It can be used as an ingredient in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, as well as for machine lubrication.
My car's door hinges have been squeaking annoyingly after long use, and the mechanic said it's a common issue. The most cost-effective solution is to use sewing machine oil, which costs just a few yuan for a small bottle at a stationery store. Use a syringe to drip it into the hinge gaps. However, you must first clean out the old grease and grime by scrubbing the hinge joints with an old toothbrush dipped in diesel fuel; otherwise, the new oil will mix with the dirt and become even stickier. Last month, I applied Chevron's Teflon grease (the white paste kind) to my father-in-law's old Passat, and it hasn't squeaked for three months now. This stuff is heat-resistant and doesn’t attract dust, lasting much longer than regular oil. If you want a quick fix, WD-40 also works, but make sure to get the blue bottle with silicone lubricant—the regular version can corrode rubber parts.
Door hinge noise requires targeted solutions, and with 20 years of motorcycle repair experience, I know a thing or two. Check the hinge wear level: For minor rust, use a penetrating 3M door hinge lubricant—apply directly into the gaps with its correction-fluid-like nozzle. For severe rust, start with a rust remover spray. Don't use oil for rubber friction sounds! A dedicated silicone-based rubber spray works best, like Turtle Wax’s rubber protectant, which also prevents aging. Last time, my neighbor’s e-bike was squeaking, and I used motorcycle chain wax—wax doesn’t fling off and adheres well to metal, eliminating noise even on bumpy market roads. Remember to wipe off old grease with a wet wipe before applying new lubricant, or it’s all for nothing.
