Frequently Asked Questions

Start with the Find Your Lubricant tool. Tell it what you are lubricating and we will recommend a product. If you want to dig deeper, every product page lists what it is best for, what it does well, and the technical specs. Still not sure? Email hello@kreatos.co.uk and someone will help.

Both are mineral lithium greases graded for 3D printer and robotics motion, the accessible value tier of the range. LGE 00 is the semi-fluid workhorse for linear rails and ball screws. LGP 000 is one grade softer and adds PTFE, a low-friction solid lubricant film for polished or hardened surfaces. The mineral lithium grades give you the right consistency for the job without paying for synthetic chemistry you may not need; step up to the synthetic or PFPE products when the application genuinely calls for it. If you are not sure, LGE 00 is the right starting point for most 3D printer rails.

No, and we are not going to. The whole point of Kreatos is that we make specific products for specific applications. A grease that works for everything works well for nothing. If you only want one product to start with, our flagship ICHOREX pair (oil and grease) is the place to begin, or for a single grease, CG 2 (synthetic with hBN, broad use) or SGP 2 Prime (silicone with PTFE, mixed materials).

NLGI is the consistency scale for greases. Lower numbers (000, 00, 0) are softer and more flowable. Higher numbers (1, 2, 3) are stiffer. Compact mechanisms with tight clearances usually need softer grease. Vertical or open surfaces usually need stiffer grease that stays in place. We list the NLGI grade on every product page.

Some of them are, some are not. The greases formulated for plastic compatibility are ICHOREX Grease (validated on PLA, PETG, ABS and Nylon), PGG 20 (specifically for plastic gears), SGG 20 (mixed metal and plastic gearboxes), SGP 2 Prime and Silicone Grease (silicone-based, broad plastic compatibility), and the PFPE greases (PFG 20, PFG 0). ICHOREX Oil is the plastic-safe choice on the oil side. Always test on an unseen surface before full application if you are unsure.

Generally no. Different grease chemistries can react with each other and degrade. Best practice is to clean off the old grease before applying a new one, especially when switching between lithium, silicone, and PFPE chemistries. If you cannot fully clean, contact us with details of the existing product and we will tell you whether it is safe to top up.

Silicone is one of the safest chemistries for 3D printer mechanisms because it does not attack most plastics. The risk is contamination. Silicone grease can interfere with build plate adhesion, paint, and bonding. Keep it off your build plate, your filament path, and any surface that needs to stick to something.

Most are not. Silicone Grease, the PFPE products, and the standard lubricants are all dielectric (electrically insulating). ECG 37 is a contact-protection grease, not a conductive grease: it lubricates and protects electrical contacts and reduces arcing, but the metal-to-metal contact still carries the current. The thermal compounds (1.8, 5.0, 12.3) contain carbon but are formulated to remain non-conductive. For genuinely conductive jobs, grounding, bonding, EMI shielding or conductive sliding contacts, we have two conductive greases: CCG 4 (metallic-flake conductive, also a high-temperature conductive anti-seize) and SCG 47 (premium silver-filled, very low resistance, assists EMI control). Conductive greases must only be applied to de-energised equipment and never allowed to bridge adjacent contacts.

Less than you think. A thin, even film is almost always correct. For linear rails, a light coat that you can wipe smooth is enough. For lead screws, two or three pea-sized portions distributed across the screw and worked in by running the axis through its full travel. Excess grease attracts dust, increases drag, and does not improve performance.

Hobby 3D printers: every 3 to 6 months. High-use printers and print farms: every 1 to 3 months. Robotics: every 3 to 6 months depending on duty cycle. The better answer is to re-lubricate when you notice noise, drag, or visible breakdown. Scheduled maintenance is fine, but actual condition matters more than the calendar.

Yes when you are switching products or chemistries. Yes when the old grease is dirty, contaminated, or visibly broken down. No when you are just topping up the same product you already have on the parts. Use 3D Printer Cleaner (99.99% IPA) and a lint-free cloth for cleaning.

For tight spots, yes. For larger surfaces like rails, a clean lint-free cloth or a small brush is better. The goal is even distribution, not maximum coverage. Q-tips work well for getting into corners and contact zones that wider tools cannot reach.

Cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight. Most of our greases have a 24-month shelf life when stored properly. Keep the lids tight to prevent contamination. The IPA cleaner should be kept away from heat and ignition sources.

Yes, when used correctly. IPA evaporates fast and leaves no residue, making it ideal for cleaning electronic assemblies. Always use on de-energised equipment. Allow full evaporation before powering on. Do not spray directly into connectors or sealed components.

Wash with soap and water. Most of our greases are non-toxic in the small quantities a maker would handle, but they are not designed for skin contact. If you have a known sensitivity to lubricants, wear gloves.

Through LubricantsHub at lubricantshub.com/collections/kreatos. They handle our retail distribution. For wholesale, distributor enquiries, or bulk orders, email partnerships@kreatos.co.uk.

Distribution is handled through LubricantsHub. Check their shipping options for current international availability. For specific country availability questions, email hello@kreatos.co.uk.

Yes. TDS documents are available on request. Email hello@kreatos.co.uk with the product name and we will send the documentation. We are working on making them available directly through the product pages.

Email partnerships@kreatos.co.uk. Whether you are a maker creating content, a reseller looking to stock Kreatos, an educational institution wanting bulk supply, or an industrial buyer needing volume pricing, that is the right address.