Which Selleys lubricant or degreaser do you need, and what is the difference?
These are two different jobs that often come up on the same afternoon. A degreaser removes grease, oil and the grime that sticks to them. A lubricant adds something — a film that lets parts move freely and keeps water and corrosion off them. If a part is filthy and seized, you generally need both, in that order.
Within each of those, the choice that actually matters is the carrier. On the degreaser side, Selleys makes the point that its RP7 Heavy Duty Degreaser Trigger and Degreaser Wipes are water-based, which is why they can be used on a wider range of materials, including rubbers and plastics. On the lubricant side, the split is between an oily penetrating spray and a dry film — and that difference decides which surfaces you can put it on.
What this category covers
Degreasers are typically thought of in terms of auto care, but they are useful in a number of areas wherever grease, oil and the associated grime need removing. This category sits within car care, though the products are not limited to cars.
How to choose
Removing grease and oil
Selleys RP7 Heavy Duty Degreaser is the degreaser in this category. The trigger pack and the degreaser wipes are water-based, and that is the reason to reach for them where a solvent-based product would be a risk: water-based formulations can be used on a wider range of materials, including rubbers and plastics. In an engine bay or on a workshop bench, that is most of what you are working around.
Freeing and lubricating moving parts
Selleys RP7 is a multi-purpose lubricating and penetrating spray, described as good for removing rust and lubricating many moving parts. A penetrating spray is what you want on a fastener or hinge that has seized — it works its way into the joint before it lubricates.
Selleys Ezy Glide solves the opposite problem. It is a silicone-based lubricant that provides a dry, slippery coating and can be used on absorbent surfaces without an oily residue. That makes it the choice where an oil film would be a fault rather than a feature — anywhere dust would stick to it, or where the surface will soak an oil up. Selleys describes it as making sliding doors and windows easy to use.
Repelling water rather than lubricating
Where the requirement is to keep water off fabric rather than to lubricate a mechanism, Selleys names Selleys Water Shield, applied as a regular treatment to repel water, snow and ice from fabrics such as car upholstery.
The products in this range
- Selleys RP7 Heavy Duty Degreaser — the degreaser in this category; the trigger and wipe formats are water-based, so they suit a wider range of materials including rubbers and plastics.
- Selleys RP7 — multi-purpose lubricating and penetrating spray for removing rust and lubricating moving parts.
- Selleys Ezy Glide — silicone-based lubricant giving a dry, slippery coating, usable on absorbent surfaces without an oily residue.
RP7 and Ezy Glide also appear under cleaning and maintenance lubricants, which is the same products approached from the household rather than the automotive side.
Common questions
What is the difference between RP7 and RP7 Heavy Duty Degreaser?
They do opposite jobs despite the shared name. RP7 is a lubricating and penetrating spray for freeing and protecting moving parts. RP7 Heavy Duty Degreaser removes grease, oil and grime.
Why does it matter that the degreaser is water-based?
Because it can be used on a wider range of materials, including rubbers and plastics, which is where a harsher formulation would be a risk.
When should I use Ezy Glide instead of RP7?
When you do not want an oily residue — on absorbent surfaces, or on things like sliding doors and windows where a dry, slippery coating is what makes them move freely.
Will a lubricant clean a dirty part?
No. Degrease first, then lubricate. RP7 is described as removing rust and lubricating moving parts, but the grease and grime themselves are the degreaser's job.
Are these only for cars?
No. Selleys notes that degreasers are typically thought of in terms of auto care but help remove grease, oil and grime in a number of areas.
Is there a wipe format?
Yes. Selleys lists RP7 Heavy Duty Degreaser Wipes alongside the trigger pack, and both are water-based.
What treats car upholstery against water?
Selleys Water Shield, applied as a regular treatment, is described as repelling water, snow and ice from fabrics such as car upholstery.
What is the difference between RP7 and RP7 Heavy Duty Degreaser?
They do opposite jobs despite the shared name. RP7 is a lubricating and penetrating spray for freeing and protecting moving parts. RP7 Heavy Duty Degreaser removes grease, oil and grime.
Why does it matter that the degreaser is water-based?
Because it can be used on a wider range of materials, including rubbers and plastics, which is where a harsher formulation would be a risk.
When should I use Ezy Glide instead of RP7?
When you do not want an oily residue — on absorbent surfaces, or on things like sliding doors and windows where a dry, slippery coating is what makes them move freely.
Will a lubricant clean a dirty part?
No. Degrease first, then lubricate. RP7 is described as removing rust and lubricating moving parts, but the grease and grime themselves are the degreaser's job.
Are these only for cars?
No. Selleys notes that degreasers are typically thought of in terms of auto care but help remove grease, oil and grime in a number of areas.
Is there a wipe format?
Yes. Selleys lists RP7 Heavy Duty Degreaser Wipes alongside the trigger pack, and both are water-based.
What treats car upholstery against water?
Selleys Water Shield, applied as a regular treatment, is described as repelling water, snow and ice from fabrics such as car upholstery.