Ideal Industries IDEAL Electrical 31-378 Aqua-Gel II Electrical Pulling Lubricant - 1-Quart Squeeze Bottle, Blue, 32 Fl Oz

A lubrication workhorse for stubborn pulls

Electricians joke that there are only two kinds of wire pulls: the easy ones and the ones you’ll remember. Aqua-Gel II turned a few “memorable” pulls of mine into straightforward work. It’s a polymer-based pulling lubricant in a 1-quart squeeze bottle, and while that description sounds plain, the way it behaves in conduit—especially on multi-bend runs—makes it worth a closer look.

What it is and how it behaves

Aqua-Gel II is a blue, gel-like lubricant that clings to cable jackets and conduit walls instead of running off. That “cling” matters; it creates a consistent film that stays put as you start and stop, or as the pulling head navigates sweeps. It’s non-toxic, non-flammable, non-corrosive, and cleans up with soap and water. Once a pull is done, it dries to a semi-fluid, non-gumming residue that I’ve found doesn’t leave conduits gummy or collect debris later.

Ideal rates it safe for all jacket materials except composite rubber. That caveat is worth noting if you work with specialty cords. Temperature stability is listed from 28°F to 180°F; in practice I’ve used it on a chilly morning just above freezing and on a hot summer slab without issues. In the cold it thickens a touch but still spreads; in heat it doesn’t separate or get runny.

Real-world performance

• Feeder in buried PVC: I pulled a 1/0-1/0-1/0 aluminum set through 2-inch PVC with several broad sweeps. Dry, we made it to the second bend before friction spiked. With Aqua-Gel II, pre-lubing the conduit and dressing the conductors generously got us through with steady hand tension on the rope and minimal mechanical advantage. The last 20–30 feet still demanded a smooth cadence and a helper feeding, but it went from borderline to manageable.
• Retrofit in older EMT: Pulling THHN through older, slightly rough EMT can be a pain. Using fishtape and a sponge charged with Aqua-Gel II, the conductors slid past couplings that would otherwise snag insulation. Cleanup around panels and finished spaces was easy with a damp rag.
• Long push where pulling wasn’t an option: On a 90-foot push (not ideal, but the layout forced it), the gel’s cling made a clear difference. Applied along the cable every few feet, it reduced stick-slip so I could advance in smooth increments instead of exhausting bursts.
• Low-voltage and solar runs: For Cat5e in separate conduit and 10 AWG PV wire with a grippy jacket, a small amount at the entry and on the lead 10–15 feet was enough to keep things moving, even around tighter bends.

Across these scenarios, the standout is friction reduction without mess. The film it leaves inside the conduit is light. I’ve come back later to pull additional conductors in the same run and didn’t run into clogging or dried clumps.

Application, ergonomics, and cleanup

The 1-quart squeeze bottle is the right form factor for most residential and light commercial work. The gel expresses cleanly; it’s thick enough to place precisely and thin enough to smear without fighting it.

A few application approaches that worked well for me:
- Pre-lube pass: Tie a rag or foam “sponge” to your pull string, soak it with Aqua-Gel II, and run it through to coat the conduit ahead of the pull. Repeat from the other end if possible. This dramatically reduces initial friction.
- Cable dressing: Coat the first 10–20 feet of the conductors and reapply every few feet on long pulls. A damp sponge with a toothbrush-sized dab wiped along the cable works efficiently.
- Pulling head focus: Make sure the pulling head and any staggered tapers are well coated—the head sees the worst of the friction.

It’s vividly blue out of the bottle, which helps you verify coverage. It dries clear and, in my experience, hasn’t stained jackets or painted walls. On skin it rinses off with soap and water; I still wear nitrile gloves because it’s, well, extremely slick and gets everywhere if you’re not mindful. Do mind floors and ladders—anything it touches can become an ice rink.

Compatibility and conditions

• Cable jackets: Safe for typical THHN/THWN, XHHW, and PVC-jacketed low-voltage cables. Avoid composite rubber jackets.
• Conduit types: PVC, EMT, and rigid all benefited. For older EMT with burrs, lubrication combined with careful head prep is key.
• Temperature: Worked within the stated range. In very hot, dry environments, the film at the entry can dry quicker; plan on reapplying or running a second pre-lube pass if the pull stalls.

How it compares to “dry” options

Dry PTFE and powder lubricants have their place, but they haven’t matched the friction reduction of Aqua-Gel II in the tighter, longer runs I encounter. The gel’s ability to cling to both cable and walls is the difference; dry options tend to dust off at the first bend, and waxy pastes can leave more residue. Aqua-Gel II strikes a nice balance: wet enough to be effective, not so waxy that it gums up later.

Tips to get the most out of it

• Prep the conduit: Vacuum or blow out dust and grit, then send a lubed rag through before the pull.
• Dress the pulling head: Stagger conductors smoothly, tape tightly, and round any edges. Then coat thoroughly with Aqua-Gel II.
• Apply liberally on tough pulls: A quart goes further than you think, but don’t starve the pull—especially on long feeders and multiple bends.
• Manage the mess: Lay down a drop cloth at the entry and exit, wear gloves, and keep a bucket with a damp rag nearby.
• Keep momentum: Continuous motion prevents pressure points and leverages the lubricant’s film more effectively than stop-start yanking.
• Plan the quantity: A quart is ample for several residential runs. For very long feeders or multiple large-gauge pulls in a day, a gallon pail is more efficient.

Where it falls short

• Dry-out on extended pauses: On a long pull in hot conditions, if you pause too long, the first few feet can lose some slip. A quick reapplication solves it, but it’s something to plan for.
• Blue tint during application: The color is helpful, but it can mark porous surfaces until you wipe it up. Keep that rag handy.
• Not universal for all jacket materials: If you routinely pull composite rubber jackets, you’ll need a different product.

None of these are deal-breakers; they’re more about knowing the material and planning your workflow.

Value and packaging

The quart bottle is a sweet spot: affordable, easy to store, and enough for multiple normal pulls. It’s also a good “truck bottle” that can be refilled from larger pails if you do frequent large work. Given the time saved and the reduced risk of conductor damage, it pays for itself quickly. Calling it cheap insurance against a broken pull rope isn’t far off.

Bottom line

Aqua-Gel II does exactly what a pulling lubricant should: it reduces friction significantly, clings where you need it, cleans up without drama, and doesn’t create problems for the next pull. Its temperature stability and broad jacket compatibility make it a reliable default for most electrical and low-voltage work. I keep a quart in the kit and don’t hesitate to step up to a larger container on bigger projects.

Recommendation: I recommend Aqua-Gel II. It consistently turns difficult pulls into controlled, methodical work, it’s easy to apply and clean, and it avoids the messy residue of heavier pastes. Unless you’re tied to composite rubber jackets, it’s the right choice for both DIY and professional cable-pulling tasks.