Incandescent bulbs in my kitchen's ceiling fan seem to sort of get corroded in place, probably due to the moist environment. I've got electrolytic grease for the light bulbs on my boat trailer. Any reason not to use a very fine coating on the threads of the bulbs in the ceiling fan? I realize that conductivity isn't the goal with these bulbs, but the stuff also serves to block moisture, if results on the trailer are any indication.

You could try it, worse that could happen is you have to clean it out with a cotton swab and isoproponol (or denatured alcohol).I have never had this problem even in range hoods with standard bulbs. There must be something more than steam at hand.Are you saying the threads of the bulb and socket form a layer of corroded metal which is hard to remove. Perhaps it is too late for the socket and you should obtain a replacement from the hardware store. The materials used for bulb bases and threads should not oxidize (corrode) appreciably but copper or brass parts in the fixture may be suffering. It usually takes more than just water vapor to severly corrode (all but soft iron) usually there needs to be a contaminant like salt present (from the potato to remove the broken base trick perhaps or from your hands). Presence of electricity would likely accelerate corrosion caused by contaminants but not oxidation caused only by water vapor.Another indication that looks like corrosion is...

Electrolytic grease on AC light bulbs?

Jun 13, 2005 23 Replies

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Joseph Meehan 21 years ago

Maybe because heat rises. Curious.

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Bud 21 years ago

Nope

Bud--

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Tekkie® 21 years ago

Joseph Meehan posted for all of us... I don't top post - see either inline or at bottom.

I think it's more along the lines of: CHEAP sockets. CHEAP bulb bases

Sockets and bulbs used to be brass now they are alumimum foillike...

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MC 21 years ago

Plastic bases or other plastic in fixture can outgas due to high heat casuing a film on the bulbs as one cause.

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