Hey everyone,

An underwater housing is an investment, and proper maintenance is what keeps it performing reliably dive after dive. One of the most critical - yet often overlooked - aspects of that maintenance is the grease you use on the O-rings.

At Salted Line, we regularly hear from divers who have experienced unexpected leaks or stiff controls after using non-original grease. That’s why we want to be very clear on this topic.

Why Original Salted Line Silicone Grease Is Essential

The Silicone grease supplied with every Salted Line underwater camera housing is specially formulated to work with our O-ring materials, seals, and moving parts. It has the exact viscosity, chemical stability, and additives needed to:

• Maintain a perfect watertight seal
• Keep buttons, dials, and levers smooth and responsive
• Prevent O-ring degradation over time
• Resist breakdown in saltwater environments

When you use a different brand, a silicone grease with the wrong consistency, or one of a different color, you introduce variables that our housings were not designed for. Even small differences in formulation can lead to:

• O-rings swelling or shrinking
• Sticky or sluggish controls
• Micro-leaks that appear under pressure
• Accelerated wear of the sealing surfaces
  

Important Note: Only the original SeaFrogs/Salted Line silicone grease should be used with your housing. Using any alternative silicone grease - regardless of brand, color, or claimed “similar” specifications - is not recommended and may result in leaks or cause controls and ports to stick. A common problem when using aftermarket silicone grease is that the port cannot be removed, requiring the use of special tools

How to Use It Correctly

A little goes a long way. Here’s the right way:

1. After cleaning the O-ring, apply a very small amount to your clean fingertip.
2. Spread it evenly around the O-ring until you see a thin, uniform sheen - nothing more.
3. Avoid thick layers or clumps, as excess grease can actually attract debris and compromise the seal

The Bottom Line

Using the correct silicon grease is one of the simplest ways to protect your camera and extend the life of your Salted Line underwater camera housing. It takes just a minute during your pre-dive routine, but it can prevent costly issues and keep your gear performing like new for thousands of dives.

If you ever run out of original Silicon grease or have questions about maintenance for your specific model, feel free to email us at support@saltedline.com or via our social media channels - we`re always happy to help

Stay safe, stay dry, and happy shooting!

- The Salted Line Team

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