XBVV Plumber Silicone Grease Lubricant for Plumbing Faucet Valve O-Rings Rubber Washer 1-Pack 1 oz Tube with Brush

A slow, stubborn faucet handle is a good test for any plumber’s grease. I tried this XBVV silicone grease on a leaky kitchen faucet rebuild and a sticky shower valve, and it delivered the smooth, damped feel I expect from a high‑quality silicone lube—without swelling the rubber or washing away after a few weeks of hot water use.

What it is and why it matters

This is a food‑grade, NSF‑approved silicone grease designed for potable water systems. It’s meant for lubricating and lightly sealing O‑rings, faucet stems, cartridges, valve spools, rubber washers, and similar plumbing seals. The formulation is odorless, colorless, and compatible with most rubbers and plastics, which is key: petroleum products can soften or deform elastomers over time, but silicone typically won’t. The stated temperature range (−40°F to 400°F) easily spans typical household and light commercial plumbing environments, including hot water lines and seasonal outdoor use.

In hand, the grease has the right “plumber’s grease” personality: thick, tacky, and persistent. It stays where you put it, resists washout, and offers that slight friction that helps O‑rings seal without feeling gummy.

Packaging and applicator

The 1‑oz tube includes an integrated brush. For this type of product, the brush is more than a convenience—it actually improves application. Instead of globbing grease onto an O‑ring with a finger and inevitably getting it on threads and finishes, I could paint a thin, even film exactly where it needed to go: on the O‑ring, inside cartridge bores, and on valve stem bearings.

A couple of practical notes:
- The brush length is fine for most faucet bodies and shower cartridges, but it’s a little stubby for deep cavities.
- Like all brush-in-cap designs, expect some residue on the cap threads after a few uses. Wipe the ferrule before closing to keep the tube tidy.

One ounce may sound small, but a thin film is all you need. Realistically, this amount will last most homeowners for years of maintenance.

In use: faucet, shower, and spigot

• Kitchen faucet cartridge: After cleaning the cartridge housing and O‑rings, I brushed on a thin coat. The handle went from scratchy to smooth, with better modulation and no “stiction” at start/stop. Weeks later, the feel was unchanged, and I didn’t see any milky streaks or drip marks that sometimes show up when inferior greases leach or break down in hot water.
• Shower valve O‑rings: Older O‑rings can grab as they rotate under pressure. A light coating restored an even, controlled turn without over‑damping the knob. Importantly, there was no swelling or softening of the elastomer—exactly what I want from a silicone that claims broad rubber compatibility.
• Outdoor hose spigot packing and gasket: A small smear on the packing and the hose gasket eliminated squeal and helped the spigot seal at lower handle torque. After a few hot days in the sun and cool nights, the grease stayed put.

I also used it on flashlight O‑rings and a showerhead’s threaded seal. In both cases, the grease improved sealing and made future disassembly easier.

Compatibility and safety

Because this grease is NSF‑approved as food grade, I’m comfortable using it on components that live in drinking water systems—faucet stems, filter housings, and refrigerator quick‑connects. Silicone’s general compatibility with common plumbing elastomers (like nitrile and EPDM) and plastics (like ABS and PVC) is a major advantage, especially compared to petroleum-based lubricants that can attack seals.

If you’re working with unusual materials—older specialty rubbers or exotic plastics—test on a small area. But for standard household plumbing, it’s the right chemistry.

Consistency and staying power

The high silicone content gives it a firm, buttery consistency. It doesn’t run, drip, or sag at typical service temperatures, and it resists thinning in hot water. That “staying power” is crucial on O‑rings that move under pressure; less washout means longer intervals between maintenance. It’s not as glassy-stiff as some heavy-duty valve greases used in industrial settings, but for residential plumbing it strikes a good balance: thick enough to seal and cushion, light enough to avoid turning handles into molasses.

The stated −40°F to 400°F range is broader than I’ll ever need for household work, but it’s reassuring for outdoor fixtures, steam-adjacent areas, and hot water lines.

What it’s not

A few boundaries to keep in mind:
- It’s a lubricant and assembly aid, not a thread sealant. Use PTFE tape or pipe dope to seal tapered pipe threads under pressure.
- It’s not a bearing grease for high-speed metal-on-metal applications. For those, use a grease formulated for mechanical loads.
- Silicone grease can be slightly slippery on polished finishes. Wipe excess to avoid fingerprints or a dull haze on chrome.

Tips for best results

• Clean before you coat: Wipe away mineral deposits, old grease, and grit. A clean surface is key to smooth action and a reliable seal.
• Use a film, not a blob: A thin, even layer on the O‑ring and mating surfaces is enough. Too much can attract debris or impede valve travel.
• Mind the location: Keep grease off seats that need friction for braking action, and off tapered threads that must be sealed separately.
• Store sensibly: Keep the cap threads clean and the tube in a cool place. Silicone is stable, but a tidy tube makes your next job easier.

Value

For a specialty product, the 1‑oz tube represents good value. You’re paying for the right chemistry—NSF approval, compatibility with common plumbing materials, and resistance to washout—plus the convenience of a built‑in brush. There are cheaper, generic silicones around, but in my experience those can be runny, perfumed, or questionably labeled for potable water use. Here, I get the attributes I look for in a dedicated plumber’s grease and a form factor that speeds the job.

Pros and cons

Pros:
- Food‑grade, NSF‑approved; safe for potable systems
- Thick, persistent film that resists washout
- Compatible with most rubbers and plastics
- Wide temperature range; odorless and colorless
- Brush applicator makes precise, clean application easy

Cons:
- Brush is a bit short for deep recesses
- Brush-in-cap can get messy if you don’t wipe it before closing
- Not a substitute for thread sealant on tapered pipe threads

The bottom line

As a general-purpose plumber’s grease, the XBVV silicone grease hits the practical sweet spot: safe on drinking water components, friendly to common elastomers and plastics, and thick enough to stay where it’s needed. It restored smooth operation on my faucet and shower valves, sealed and protected O‑rings, and proved handy for a few non‑plumbing tasks like flashlight and showerhead maintenance. The integrated brush may seem like a small thing, but it speeds up application and keeps the work clean.

Recommendation: I recommend this grease for homeowners and pros who need a reliable, food‑grade silicone lubricant for O‑rings, faucet stems, cartridges, and other plumbing seals. It’s easy to apply, it lasts, and it avoids the compatibility pitfalls of petroleum products. If you’re assembling or servicing fixtures that touch drinking water, this is the kind of dedicated silicone grease you want in the drawer.