# Suspension seal lubricants applied externally? **URL:** \ **Category:** Tech Help\ **Created:** [September 17, 2026, 4:52pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/suspension-seal-lubricants-applied-externally/5913 "2026-09-17T16:52:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Peter\_Burghardt](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/peter_burghardt/32/1897_2.png) [@Peter\_Burghardt](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Peter_Burghardt)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 4:52pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/suspension-seal-lubricants-applied-externally/5913/1 "2026-09-17T16:52:58Z")
Slick Honey/Slickoleum/SRAM Butter: Is there any value in using them on shocks and fork stanchions(and dropper posts) between rebuilds, or are they just a dirt magnet? I’m imagining wiping the surfaces clean, applying the lubricant just above the seal, cycling the suspension a few times, and wiping clean again. ---
**Author:** ![Carl\_Sechrist](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/carl_sechrist/32/3509_2.png) [@Carl\_Sechrist](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Carl_Sechrist)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 5:59pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/suspension-seal-lubricants-applied-externally/5913/2 "2026-09-17T17:59:44Z")
I don’t see the point unless the seals are very very worn. They’re definitely great dirty magnets. You can do a lot for your suspension though by carefully wiping the dust & dirt from the seals and stanchions. Those lubricants can help hydrate dried out rubber but will only reduce stiction for a few cycles before the dust wiper scrapes it away. A well hydrated foam ring below the seal is doing far more to keep things running smoothly. I had a perfect example of just how well even the dust wipers seal when I purged probably over 20psi from a lower due to a failed air spring seal yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![Crosswind](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/crosswind/32/10643_2.png) [@Crosswind](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Crosswind)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 6:46pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/suspension-seal-lubricants-applied-externally/5913/3 "2026-09-17T18:46:13Z")
As a general thought, I can’t think of a good reason to apply grease, even if being wiped off before use. A lubricating film will remain, which is the objective, but that becomes a possible dust collector? I make every effort to keep the stanchions wiped and clean. I do Buzzy’s in internal fork, shock and suspensions. There are available stanchion lubricants available if that’s of interest. I think they are a silicone product. I don’t use them. If your seals or wipers are worn, or cracked, just replace them. I do coat internal wipers with buzzy’s before slipping the stanchions in. Foam rings are a good source of stanchions lubrication. Many just flipp the bike upside down to get the for lower suspension fluid to soak them. Many lowers don’t have much residual fluid, so YMMV. I do regular air can and lower service so keeping things in order is not much of a problem. ---
**Author:** ![JC1979](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/jc1979/32/2145_2.png) [@JC1979](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/JC1979)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 7:44pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/suspension-seal-lubricants-applied-externally/5913/4 "2026-09-17T19:44:17Z")
No. Same problem as traditional oil based chain lube. Attract dirt which mixes with the lube resulting in a grinding past. Bad enough on a chain, and fairly expensive if you run a higher end Sram or similar cassette , really bad idea and potentially even more expensive on suspension.