Automotive Chemicals, Oils and Lubricants

Recently, many chemicals, oils and lubricants have appeared on the market for use in routine maintenance and repair of the vehicle. This includes a wide range of chemical and petroleum industry products, from cleaning agents and solvents to oils, greases and aerosols for protecting rubber and plastic vehicle components.

Cleaners
Carburetor and throttle body cleaner is a powerful solvent for resins, varnish and carbon deposits. Most carburetor cleaners leave a dry lubricating film behind that does not harden or become sticky over time. Because of this film, these cleaners are not recommended for cleaning electrical components.

Brake cleaner is used to remove grease and brake fluid residue from brake system components where absolute cleanliness is essential for proper operation. The cleaner leaves no residue and in many cases eliminates brake squeal caused by contamination of the brake components.

Electrical component cleaner helps remove oxide films, corrosion and deposits from contact surfaces without affecting electrical conductivity. It can also be used to clean spark plugs, carburetor jets, voltage regulators and other parts where complete removal of oil and grease is required.

Moisture displacers are used to remove water and moisture from electrical components such as the alternator, voltage regulator, fuse block, electrical connectors, etc. Moisture displacers are normally non-conductive, chemically non-aggressive and non-flammable.
Degreasers are super-strong solvents used to remove grease from the external surfaces of the engine and chassis components. They are supplied as aerosols or applied with a brush, and depending on the type, are rinsed off either with water or with solvent.

Sealants
RTV sealant is the most widely used gasket sealant. It is silicone-based, cures in contact with air, provides sealing and good adhesion, is water resistant, fills imperfections of mating surfaces, remains flexible, does not shrink or sag, is relatively easy to remove, and is used as a supplement to almost all gaskets in areas where temperatures do not exceed moderate values.

Anaerobic sealant, unlike RTV sealant, can be used not only as a supplement to gaskets but also to form gaskets. It remains flexible, is resistant to solvents and fills surface irregularities of mating surfaces well. The main difference from RTV sealant is the curing conditions. If RTV sealant begins to cure on contact with air, anaerobic sealant, on the contrary, sets only in the absence of such contact. This means that the sealant cures only after the components have been assembled and pressed tightly together.

Pipe thread sealant is used to seal threaded fittings of hydraulic, pneumatic and vacuum lines. It is usually based on a PTFE compound and is supplied as an aerosol, as a liquid applied like paint, or as tape (PTFE tape).

Chemicals
Anti-seize compound is used to prevent galling, corrosion, seizing and cold welding of fasteners. High-temperature anti-seize compounds are usually made on the basis of copper-containing or graphite greases and are used on exhaust system fasteners and the exhaust manifold.

Anaerobic thread locking compounds are used to prevent fasteners from loosening spontaneously under vibration and set only after installation in the absence of contact with air. Medium-strength thread locking compounds are used to secure small fasteners (nuts, bolts, screws) that will need to be loosened regularly in the future. High-strength compounds are usually used to lock large fasteners that rarely need to be loosened.

Oil additives are used to adjust the chemical properties of oil without changing its viscosity in order to reduce internal friction in the engine. It should be noted that most manufacturers of engine oils advise against using any additives with them.

Fuel additives perform several functions at once, depending on their chemical composition. They usually contain solvents that help remove sludge and clean deposits from the internal surfaces of the carburetor and fuel injection components and the intake tract. In addition, this type of additive helps remove carbon deposits that form on the walls of the combustion chambers. Some additives contain substances that lubricate the upper part of the cylinder head components (valve train, piston rings), and others help remove condensation from the walls of the fuel tank.

Miscellaneous
Brake fluid is a specially formulated compound designed to withstand the high temperatures and pressures generated in the hydraulic circuit of the brake system. Do not allow brake fluid to contact painted surfaces of the vehicle or exposed areas of the body. Keep brake fluid in a tightly sealed container to prevent moisture (the fluid is highly hygroscopic) and dirt from entering it.

Body opening seal adhesive, as its name suggests, is used to bond seal strips for door, window and luggage compartment lid openings. It may also be used to secure interior trim components.

Underbody anti-corrosion coating is a tar-like compound based on petroleum oil. It protects metal surfaces from aggressive environmental factors. It also provides sound insulation for the passenger compartment.

Waxes and polishes are used to protect the paint finish from environmental effects. Different types of paint may require different types of waxes and polishes. Some polishes contain abrasive or chemical additives designed to remove the outer layer of oxidation (dullness) from painted surfaces of older vehicles. Recently, a wide range of wax-free polishes has appeared on the market. These contain numerous chemical additives, such as polymers or silicon-based substances. Such polishes are usually easier to apply and last longer than conventional (wax-based) products.