Hearing consistent squeaking each time you open and close your car door can be quite irritating — and downright inconvenient. After all, you want your car to be in pristine condition, and the screeching makes it appear old and rusty. Luckily, you do not have to spend hundreds of dollars on repairs, as the best lubricants for car door hinges can help you solve the problem.
If you’re wondering how to find the right lubricant in the sea of options on the market, read on. From car door lubricant types to a usage guide, here’s everything you need to know to make your car sound brand new once again.
Why Do car Hinges Need Lubrication?
All hinges need proper lubrication in order to move seamlessly, without any friction. In addition, regular lubrication can do a lot for the hinges’ durability and help them last longer.
Without proper lubrication, hinges slowly start to bend and change shape. The doors begin moving off their center axis with time, causing squeaking sounds. Finally, the hinges can become so bent that properly closing the door becomes impossible.
Though most people only look for lubricants once their car doors start squeaking, preventing the sound is actually a better option. Thus, it’s best to lubricate the hinges regularly whether they are making any sounds or not.
Different Types of Lubricants for Car Hinges
There are several options you can go for when choosing a lubricant for your car hinges:
- Lithium grease
- Teflon
- Dry lubricant
- Silicone
- Petroleum-based lubricants
Lithium Grease
Since it is metal-based, this type of lubricant is an excellent choice for car hinges. It can protect them from degradation by fending off any moisture near the hinges. By doing so, lithium grease prevents corrosion and rust, prolonging the hinges’ life.
Another great fact about lithium grease is its resistance to extreme temperatures. It remains effective both in high and sub-zero temperatures, allowing your doors to function seamlessly in all conditions.
Lithium grease leaves a white coating over your hinges, so you can clearly see when you need to apply it again. However, you should keep in mind that the grease is quite messy, sticky, and thick. Therefore, you should be careful when applying it so that it doesn’t stick to your hands or other parts of your car door.
Teflon
Teflon, also known as PTFE, is a synthetic compound with the same color and consistency as silicone. It repels water and can sustain extremely high and low temperatures, making it the perfect car lubricant.
One disadvantage of Teflon is its strong odor that doesn’t fade easily. So, it might be better to opt for another solution if your nose is sensitive and you cannot handle the smell.
Dry Lubricant
Dry lubricant is the best bet if your main concern is making as little mess as possible. It doesn’t stain, so you can be sure that your car doors will remain in pristine condition. Moreover, the lubricant dries quickly, giving dirt or dust little to no time to stick to the hinges.
However, dry lubricants have one clear disadvantage compared to all other options. Since they are dry, they don’t last as long as wet formulas do. Thus, you will have to apply the lubricant more frequently.
Silicone
A staple choice for most people, silicone keeps all moisture away from hinges, thus keeping them clean from rust and corrosion. Aside from metal, silicone is also suitable for other materials, including plastic.
Still, this type of lubricant provides lighter results from greases, meaning that you will have to apply it more often. Finally, you won’t be able to see when it has worn off since silicone is transparent.
Petroleum-Based Lubricant
Rounding up the list of lubricant types is an affordable option: petroleum-based lubricants (such as WD-40). Strong and long-lasting, it does wonders to keep your hinges rust-free.
However, such lubricants naturally attract more dirt and debris while drying. Additionally, they are notoriously messy to apply, meaning that you need to protect your car and yourself while you handle them.
Best Lubricants for Squeaky Door Hinges: Top Picks
1. Permatex 80345 White Lithium Grease
Thick and moisture-resistant, this lubricant is one of the strongest options on the market. The grease will stay intact and protect your metal hinges even if you live in hot and humid areas. Most importantly, the lubrication will last for months and ensure that your hinges remain in excellent condition.
The greatest fact about this lubricant is that it has a non-toxic formula. As such, it won’t cause any damage to your car door, nor will it leave any unwanted stains. Still, you should always wear gloves while applying it, as the grease can irritate sensitive skin.
Since this product is suitable both for metal and plastic, you can use it for other purposes as well. It adheres well to all surfaces and dries quickly, preventing debris from sticking to your hinges.
The only real disadvantage of this lubricant is its packaging. Namely, its application nozzle has no precise tip. Thus, applying the grease can get really messy, especially if you have no experience. Still, you can replace the nozzle if you have a precise one at home.
2. WD-40 Specialist Spray And Stay Gel Lubricant
As far as lubricants go, no company is as popular and successful as WD. This fact comes as no surprise, considering their premium-quality products.
This lubricant comes in gel form, making it one of the easiest options for applying. The gel does not drip, and it is suitable for a wide range of materials, including metal, rubber, and plastic. While it is a great product to have in your toolbox in general, it works best for car door hinges.
The specialist spray does a fantastic job at reducing moisture, and its texture also ensures that the hinges remain free of rust. As WD is famous for its year-long protection products, this gel also fits into that category. Thus, you will only have to do annual lubrication touch-ups for your car doors.
When looking at temperature resistance, this gel is equally impressive as the first option on this list. It has a working range of −100℉ to 500℉ (−73.3℃ to 260℃), meaning that it can sustain extreme temperatures easily.
The only thing you should be aware of is the spray’s nozzle. While it is precise and prevents dripping, it is rather powerful and hard to control at times. Therefore, be careful when handling it and make sure you have a tight hold on the spray bottle at all times.
3. DuPont Teflon Silicone Lubricant
This lubricant brings silicone and fluoropolymer fortifications together to create one of the most reliable products on this list. Aside from lubrication, this spray also helps with waterproofing, preservation, and protection.
You can use DuPont on many materials, ranging from metal and leather to plastic and even wood. As far as your metal car hinges are concerned, the lubricant will keep them free of corrosion and ensure the doors close seamlessly and with no noise.
While silicone itself doesn’t last too long as a lubricant, the addition of Teflon helps make this product durable. In addition, it enhances the lubricant’s temperature resistance. Thus, opting for DuPont is a good long-term investment, as you’ll only need to make annual applications.
Although the company advertises the product as low-odor, some reviewers have complained about this lubricant’s strong smell. Therefore, you should be careful when applying it to your hinges – as always, wearing a face mask or a respirator is wise. Moreover, always aim to apply it outside or at least in a well-ventilated room.
4. 3M Silicone Lubricant – Dry Version
So far, you have had the chance to check out wet lubricant formulas. However, as mentioned above, lubricants can also come in dry versions. If that is what you need, look no further than the 3M dry silicone.
This lubricant is easy to spray and leaves no mess behind. Most importantly, it is free of petroleum oils, meaning that it won’t leave a stain even if it drips onto your car door. You can just wipe it off and continue your spraying as normal.
However, as with all dry formulas, you will need to use this lubricant more often than those based on lithium or Teflon. Additionally, while it works wonders for squeaking, it is not the best option for the upkeep and preservation of car hinges. Thus, you might have to get another wet formula lubricant for the overall upkeep of the hinges.
The 3M lubricant is suitable for metal, plastic, leather, and rubber. It is effortless to apply since it comes with an extension tube that makes it easy to access tight spots. Finally, it is highly resistant to extreme temperatures, being able to withstand those ranging from −28℉ (−33.3℃) to 350℉ (176.7℃).
5. WD-40 Specialist Protective White Lithium Grease Spray
Since it is designed to lubricate and protect at the same time, this product is another WD option that you must try out. The product leaves a white coat on metal, and when that coat disappears, you will know that it is time to reapply it.
What draws most people toward this lubricant is the fact that it is optimized for automotive purposes only. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about damaging your vehicle in any way while using this product.
In comparison to the wet formula lubricants mentioned so far, this one has a foamier consistency. It also comes with a high-precision nozzle that allows for little to no dripping and mess.
Moreover, this WD lubricant is the most durable option on this list. Depending on your car’s age and how much you use it every day, you can apply it once a year or even once every two years.
However, such great quality and long-lasting performance come at a price. Namely, you will have to pay slightly more for this lubricant, as it is more expensive than the other options listed here.
Interestingly, this product has another use that you can take advantage of. If you need a penetrating agent for removing rusty parts from any machine or vehicle, all you have to do is spray this lubricant on that area and leave it overnight. The strength of the chemicals will slowly break apart the rust, allowing you to effortlessly remove all of it.
6. Star Brite Lithium Grease
Star Brite is a heavy-duty lubricant used for industrial purposes, mostly for big machinery, vehicles, and even ships. As such, it is resistant both to extreme temperatures and water. That makes it a suitable choice for just about any geographical area in the world.
This lube is quite viscous, so you need to apply it carefully and not use too much. When you’re done greasing the hinges, you should turn the can upside down and press the nozzle until you clear its entire effluent. If you don’t do that, the leftover grease will dry in the nozzle and block it, making it impossible to use the lube again.
If you need a lube that will work and sustain any conditions imaginable, this product is the way to go. However, it might be unnecessary to buy it if you have one car and grease it every once in a while.
After all, this lube is designed with marine and heavy machinery uses in mind. Thus, it might be best to get a different type of lube that is more affordable and not quite industrial if you don’t need something that strong.
7. AGS Dek-3 Door-Ease Lubricant Stick
This lubricant’s application method is radically different from those you have read about so far. Instead of a spray or a gel, this one comes in the form of a stick. As such, it gives you complete control over the application, leaving nothing to chance.
The stick is thin enough to allow access to the smallest of places, and you can be sure that the lubricant won’t drip on the surrounding areas as you work. Designed for all types of doors, it is useful for lubricating hinges in your home and on your vehicles.
However, the packaging is somewhat problematic for some. Namely, to apply this lubricant, you have to peel the paper wrapping from it each time. Things can get messy as you remove the paper wrap, so you should wear gloves while doing it. Still, since you’ll only need the lubricant once or twice a year, handling it won’t be that big of an issue.
As far as the lubricants on this list go, this one is the simplest option. While others advertise superior chemical profiles and innovative formulas, AGS is just a great lubricant that will always do what you need. And, most importantly, you won’t have to pay a fortune to get it.
8. Lucas Oil 10533 White Lithium Grease
Lucas Oil is another lubricant manufacturer that you need to check out. It is especially a good choice if you dislike spray packaging and want a tube of lubricant that you can apply on your own terms.
Based on lithium, this lubricant is long-lasting and gets the job done in just a few minutes. Since the tube will last you for at least a few years, this product is also one of the most cost-effective options on the list.
Since the lubricant is in tube form, you will definitely need to wear gloves when applying it. Also, make sure to avoid skin contact, as the lube can cause irritation and allergic reactions.
9. CRC Power Lube Industrial High-Performance Lubricant With PTFE
Whether you are a professional mechanic or just need a heavy-duty lubricant for your car, this option will have you covered. At its base, it combines polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and petroleum, which is what makes it so strong.
Aside from stopping rust and preventing corrosion, this CRC lube is also highly resistant to high temperatures. In fact, it has the best thermal stability out of all the options on the market, making it an excellent choice if you live in a humid and hot area.
While you can easily use this lubricant for your car doors only, you should know that it is strong enough for industrial use as well. Being so secure, you will only need to apply it once every few years.
What sets this lubricant apart from the rest is its minty aroma. While others usually have a pungent smell, this one is refreshing. Thus, you won’t even need a face mask while applying it to your car.
You should be aware that all CRC lubricants come in pressurized bottles. When you try to spray them, they make a huge mess, with the lubricant ending up spread all over your car door.
To avoid this situation, you will have to buy a straw nozzle. It will allow you to apply the lube directly to the hinges without damaging anything else.
10. Permatex White Lithium Grease Spray
Even though it is thick and lithium-based, this lubricant leaves no stains on your car door or hinges. Apart from taking care of all the unwanted noise of the hinges, this product also leaves a firm coat over the metal, ensuring that no rust forms.
As always, you should wear protective equipment when applying the lubricant. Plus, this one is extremely flammable, so you should also ensure that there are no flames or sparks in your close vicinity while you handle it.
Since the spray bottle has no nozzle, you might have a bit of a hard time applying the thick foam. To make things easier, you can either buy a high-precision nozzle or pour the lube onto a rag or cloth before wiping your hinges.
While it is quite enduring and affordable, this grease spray has a big disadvantage. Namely, it cannot take extreme temperatures. It freezes below zero and melts in scorching heat, so it might be best to go for a different option if you live in an area with extreme summers and winters. But if your city or town enjoys mild weather all year long, you won’t need anything better than this lube.
11. LiquiFix Lubricant Sprayer
LiquiFix is the perfect combination of durable and gentle. You can use it on your car hinges and in your home, getting excellent results in both instances.
Organic and mineral-based, this lube is the safest option when it comes to application and its effect on the environment. In fact, it is so gentle that even kids can apply it on their own without fear of allergies or irritation.
Since the lube is non-toxic, it is fully odorless. That might make it a bit difficult to gauge when you’ve applied enough to your hinges, so keep track of the nozzle and how much lube comes out.
This lubricant sprayer has zero static, so it won’t attract any debris, grime, or dust as it dries. Just make sure to clean your hinges thoroughly before spraying them, and you will be fine.
Finally, this product stands out because of its unique packaging. The ergonomic bottle is easy to grip and hold, as it molds to one’s hand fully every time.
12. Kano Aerokroil Penetrating Oil
This penetrating oil will do an excellent job of making your car door close quietly and seamlessly. However, it is just as useful for old, rusty, and stuck doors. In fact, buying this oil is best if you are working on an old vehicle that is squeaky all over, with seams glued together due to neglect.
The oil seeps into the cracks between nails, screws, and hinges and penetrates the corrosion it finds. In just a few minutes, your vehicle doors will be closing effortlessly, and you will be able to restore the car without much effort.
As you can probably already tell, this product is more useful for industrial purposes than for everyday lube jobs. However, you can get it if your car has been neglected for a long time and you want to restore it to its former glory.
Keep in mind that you should only use this oil on metal hinges. It is too strong for plastic or rubber, and it can actually do more harm than good. In addition, make sure that you protect your surroundings while applying the oil so that it doesn’t stain your car.
13. Liquid Wrench GRO14 White Lithium Grease
This lubricant is another heavy-duty option you can try out. Apart from doorknobs and car hinges, it also works wonders on tractors, speedboats, industrial machines, etc.
Just like all industrial lubes, this one can also sustain extreme temperatures. It is water-repellant and takes care of any rust on your hinges, keeping them shiny and clean.
If you are searching for a product that will prolong the lifespan of your hinges, look no further. The GRO14 is made from Teflon additives and premium grease and oils, which can regenerate metal hinges and make them last longer.
To give you an idea of just how strong this lubricant is, you should know that it is used to restore ships that have been underwater for years and even decades. Thus, it can penetrate and loosen any screws and restore all hinges.
Though the lubricant is a spray, it comes in a package that actually resembles a tube. That makes the application somewhat puzzling for some users. In addition, the spray and nozzle are a bit loose, meaning that they can fall off easily. Those are the disadvantages you should be aware of before choosing this lube.
14. Tarantula Tools Red Lithium Grease
If your hinges are stuck and you need something that will get them to work again in just a few minutes, this lube from Tarantula is the way to go. It doubles as a penetrating oil, so you can also use it for other parts of your car that need tending.
The straw-like applicator makes it easy to apply the lube exactly where you need it without dripping or stating. Moreover, the lube takes quite some time to evaporate, clinging to your hinges and offering protection for over a year.
Again, you might be better off with a milder option if you just have one vehicle. But if you tinker with cars in your free time or have a shop, this lube is an excellent but affordable option.
How to Use Lubricants for Squeaky Car Door Hinges
When you choose the best lubricant for your needs based on the explanations above, it is time to apply it. While all of them have instructions on the packaging, there are still some general instructions you should follow.
For one, you should apply the lubricant directly to the hinges if that is possible. That way, you’ll avoid any excess dirt transferring to the metal. Then, you ought to open and close the door a few times to make sure the lube is distributed evenly across the hinges.
After applying the lube, you should spray a coating of motor oil over it to make the lube last longer and dry faster. Finally, use a clean cloth to wipe the excess lube off the hinges before moving to the next door.
Final Words
Lubricants for car door hinges can help your car look and sound brand new in just a few minutes. Hopefully, this list helps you find the best lube for your needs in the sea of options on the market. Remember to read reviews and weigh all your options before deciding, and good luck!