What's in that Grease Gun ??? Problem Solved! | The Hobby-Machinist

If you're like me you have acquired several different grease guns, each of which holds a specific grease for a specific use - as well as one with some 'General Purpose' grease for all other occasions. The backhoe needs marine grease, the wheel bearings need EP Moly - you know the drill.

Problem is, each grease gun looks the same.


And, although most grease is a bit color coded, blue, black, white, gray, etc - the difference between dinosaur based and synthetic greases makes that coding a bit iffy.

Yes, we try to remember "The blue grease gun with the aluminum ends has the marine grease" but memory fades.

I first tired using colored tape on the barrel - blue for marine, white for . . . . . ummm - I forget.


Then I tried the Brother P-Touch label maker - great idea but they don't stay on very well between sweaty hands, rough gloves and grease and shop smutz.


Also, I may start out with Grease A in an old friend of a grease gun, but when it runs out I may put something different in it (Grease D')and say "I'll remember what I did" and of course, I don't remember what I did.

It's ugly and messy to open up a grease gun just to see what the cartridge says it is - There must be a better way!

So, off to the mill, cut a window in the side of the grease gun positioned where the cartridge labels live - and voila' Instant identification! You could probably do it with a hacksaw if no milling machine is at hand.

The cartridges aren't under any pressure (other than the spring 'pusher') so this ID scheme works out nicely.


Just what I did - try it, you'll like it!

Stu