Ideal Industries IDEAL Electrical ClearGlide Aerosol Wire Lubricant, 19 oz. Can (31-387) - Portable, Mess-Free Spray Lubricant for Wire Pulls with Precision Nozzle

First impressions and why I reached for it

I first tried IDEAL’s ClearGlide aerosol on a retrofit where I needed to pull multiple THHN conductors through a mix of EMT and PVC with a couple of tight sweeps and an inconvenient vertical section. I’ve always kept gel in the truck, but overhead runs and finished spaces have a way of punishing messy products. The promise of a colorless, expanding foam that wipes clean—and a can that takes up less space than a quart jug—was enough to justify the experiment.

What it is

ClearGlide aerosol is a foam wire-pulling lubricant in a slim 19 oz can. It uses a precision nozzle with a 7-inch applicator tube to direct lubricant into conduit, LBs, or junction boxes. The foam expands once sprayed, clings to surfaces, and is designed to give 360-degree coverage without puddling. It’s colorless, and in my use it wiped off hands, clothing, and boxes without leaving visible residue. The key claim is efficiency: one can is meant to cover as much as several quarts of conventional lubricant.

In use: pulling through bends and verticals

The foam format makes a difference right away. With gel, gravity works against you in vertical or overhead conduits; it runs, drips, and you spend time trying to coax it where you want it. The ClearGlide aerosol behaved more like shaving cream: it stuck to the conduit walls, expanded around the interior, and lightly collapsed into a slick film as the pull started. I didn’t have to flood the run. A few measured bursts ahead of the fish tape and at each bend provided a continuous film that noticeably reduced pulling tension.

On a longer pull with two 90s and a moderate fill, I prepped by spraying into each accessible box and again as the wire reached each bend. The foam’s ability to coat above my head without dripping was the star—less cleanup, less worry about tracking lube across a finished floor, and better control over how much I applied. I could also push conductors farther than I expected before switching to the tugger or pulling rope, which isn’t always the case with gels that collect at the bottom of the pipe.

Precision and jobsite cleanliness

The nozzle and 7-inch tube are genuinely useful. I was able to snake the tube into an LB and hit the run in a specific direction, feed the tip past a coupling to coat the next section, and lightly coat a bend without bathing the entire box. Compared to squeeze bottles, this felt more precise and produced less waste. Overspray was minimal, and because the foam is clear and non-dying, any stray foam wiped off with a shop towel. I didn’t end up with slippery puddles on the floor, and I didn’t smell like cable lube for the rest of the day.

A quick note on safety: like any lubricant, what touches the floor becomes a slip hazard. While the aerosol reduced mess, I still make a habit of wiping up any foam that escapes the conduit or boxes. It does come off shoes and gloves easily, which is appreciated.

Coverage and efficiency

I was skeptical of the “one can equals multiple quarts” idea, but the expanding foam goes a long way. Because it clings and spreads, you use less per application than you would with a gel that you’re tempted to over-apply. On a multi-run day that would normally have me halfway through a quart, I used less than half a can. For service calls and small to medium commercial runs, one can comfortably covers a day’s worth of work. On larger projects, two cans are still lighter and tidier to carry than a couple of quarts plus squeeze bottles.

Space and weight matter when you’re working off a ladder or moving between areas frequently. The can drops into a pouch or side pocket, and I didn’t have to juggle a bottle and a gloved hand to smear gel. That alone shaved minutes off each setup and reapplication, and over a day it adds up.

Limitations and quirks

No product replaces every other option. A few practical considerations showed up in use:

• For very long, high-friction pulls with tight fills, gels still have a place. The aerosol’s strength is coverage and control, not creating a thick, long-lived film for extremely demanding pulls. I’d still keep a gel in the truck for those rare jobs.
• The 7-inch tube is workable, but there were times I wanted a longer straw to reach deeper past fittings or to better aim around an offset in an LB. You can extend it with standard tubing if you’re motivated, but it’s not included.
• As with many aerosols, cold weather can affect flow. In colder conditions, the foam dispensed more slowly and didn’t expand quite as much. Keeping the can warm in the cab solves this.
• If you bury the tube deep and spray aggressively, the expanding foam can push back toward you when it meets a tight bend or obstruction. Short bursts are your friend; they keep things controllable.
• Like any aerosol, there’s a can to dispose of when you’re done. Not a deal-breaker, but worth noting if you’re trying to minimize disposables.

I did not experience clogging during normal use, but I got into the habit of a quick one-second purge spray with the tube pointed away when I finished for the day. That seems to keep the nozzle clear.

Practical tips for better results

A little technique goes a long way with this format:

• Pre-lube the path: Give a short burst into the conduit ahead of the fish tape, especially before bends.
• Hit the bends: Reapply at each 90 or tight radius once the pull string reaches it.
• Pulse, don’t blast: Quick bursts create a uniform coating without wasting product or causing pushback.
• Coat your rope or tape lightly: A thin film on the pull line reduces friction; no need to saturate it.
• Keep it warm: In cold weather, store the can in the cab and grab it as needed.
• Purge after use: A brief spray clears the nozzle and prevents dry foam clogging.

Ergonomics and build

The can is slim and durable enough for site use. The nozzle offers good control, and the straw seats securely. I tossed the can into a bucket with hand tools and didn’t manage to break the straw or lose the cap—better than some aerosols I’ve used. The spray action is predictable; you can meter small amounts easily, which helps prevent over-application.

There isn’t much odor, and what there is fades quickly. In finished spaces, the lack of mess and smell is a big win.

Value

Between the coverage per can and the time saved, ClearGlide aerosol makes a strong value case. Even if the sticker price per ounce seems higher than a jug of gel, the practical consumption is lower because you’re putting lube exactly where you need it and not wasting what runs out of a joint or onto the floor. Add in fewer rags, less cleanup, and fewer trips to grab another bottle, and it pays for itself quickly—especially for service work, punch-list items, and remodels where you’re constantly moving.

For larger, long-duration pulls, I’d budget one or two cans and still keep a traditional gel on hand as backup. It’s not an either/or; it’s a smarter default option for the majority of pulls I encounter.

Bottom line

ClearGlide aerosol earns a spot in my kit. It’s easy to apply, remarkably clean, and genuinely effective at reducing friction in both straightforward and awkward runs. The foam’s ability to expand and cling means better coverage with less product, and the precision nozzle makes overhead and vertical applications less of a chore. While gels still have their role on extreme pulls, this aerosol has become my go-to for day-to-day work.

Recommendation: I recommend ClearGlide aerosol for electricians and installers who want cleaner, faster pulls with less waste, especially in vertical or overhead runs and finished spaces. It won’t replace gel for the most demanding, high-fill pulls, but for the vast majority of jobs, it’s more convenient, tidier, and efficient—and that combination is hard to beat.