Author Topic: How Well Does Grease Age?  (Read 2242 times)

IronMac

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How Well Does Grease Age?
« on: March 18, 2014, 08:38:13 am »
I have a tube of Phil Woods grease from over two decades ago. Is it still good? Thanks.

Danneaux

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Re: How Well Does Grease Age?
« Reply #1 on: March 18, 2014, 06:54:59 pm »
Yep, most likely.
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Oh, you knew I couldn't leave it at that!  :D

The grease should be fine unless it has been exposed to water, in which case partial re-saponification of the soapy incredients can occur, despite the waterproof claim. Yes, Phil grease is essentially waterproof, but can still separate with prolonged water exposure. The clue this has happened is it turns a minty green closer to the color of the tube than the grease. Don't use it in this case.

Heat in storage is a factor as well, and can cause some separation into oils and solids if extreme or long-lasting. I had a tube separate when stored on a windowsill one summer when we had several days with ambient temps of 38°C or more. It was probably much warmer on the windowsill. Despite kneading the tube, I couldn't mix it back to original form; it remained like mayonnaise that has been through a freeze in the garage larder. Don't use it in this case.

If the cap has been left off, the more volatile ingredients may cause a thickening of what's left. If it feels gritty when rubbed between thumb and forefinger, don't use it.

If the tube's contents are still cohesive and it has the usual "Phil smell" (one of the best-smelling greases ever produced, as Andre will readily attest), you should be fine and can use it without worry.

Best,

Dan. (...who shares a last name but no other connection with the company except as a satisfied customer)

Andre Jute

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Re: How Well Does Grease Age?
« Reply #2 on: March 18, 2014, 11:43:39 pm »
If the tube's contents are still cohesive and it has the usual "Phil smell" (one of the best-smelling greases ever produced, as Andre will readily attest), you should be fine and can use it without worry.

I was going to say, "If it smells like you want to rub it in your hair, it'll do you more good on your bike," but Dan has said it already. Jags had Dan shop for some stuff in the States for him, and when the parcel arrived made me a gift of a tube of Phil's Tenacious Grease.

I was going to report on how Phil's grease works in the Rohloff EXT click box, which is supposed to be regreased every 500km but the stuff just lasts and lasts and at 2800km there's nothing to report.

IronMac

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Re: How Well Does Grease Age?
« Reply #3 on: March 19, 2014, 01:12:07 am »
Yep, most likely.
.
.
.
.
Oh, you knew I couldn't leave it at that!  :D


Haha! Thanks for the lengthy go-through.

I will have to check on it again when I next visit Canada. I currently live in Singapore.

I do remember it having a green color when I opened it in 2008 and it looked nothing like a more current tube that someone else had. Guess that my hoarding/stinginess is going to bite me on the you-know-where this time around.