D08 Posted December 20, 2018 Share Posted December 20, 2018 (edited) Morning all. Has anyone used GT85 as a lubricant on their locos? Or as it's only minute amounts, car engine oil? Thanks, Tim. Edited December 20, 2018 by D08 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Michael Edge Posted December 20, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 20, 2018 I use both, car engine oil works well and stays around a long time. GT85 is very useful for freeing things up, neither of them have any effect on plastic components unlike some others such as WD40 and 3 in 1 oil. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dunsignalling Posted December 20, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 20, 2018 (edited) I'd personally steer clear of car engine oil as some contain quite exotic additives nowadays, the effects of which might be unpredictable. GT85 is wonderful stuff, though. Especially useful on carriage and wagon axles that squeak when they move. I spray some into the lid and apply it to models using a small paintbrush. John Edited December 20, 2018 by Dunsignalling Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D08 Posted December 20, 2018 Author Share Posted December 20, 2018 Thanks lads. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butler Henderson Posted December 20, 2018 Share Posted December 20, 2018 It also works as a degreaser and cleaner - used by cyclists to clean up mechanics before relubing and cleaning stains off white handle bar tape and saddles so be careful around any factory greased parts. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
34theletterbetweenB&D Posted December 20, 2018 Share Posted December 20, 2018 Never used it on locos. Fifteen years in wagon and coach bearings, no trouble at all, mix of kit built and RTR. Enables me to get 'close enough' to my free running benchmark, the old Trix Commonwealth bogies moulded in some ultra slippy polymer. These will detect gradients of around 1 in 350, or in plain terms roll away on 'level' track. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Campaman Posted December 20, 2018 Share Posted December 20, 2018 I use ACF50, I have it around for my motorbike, now use it anywhere I would use GT85, WD40 and the likes. Not cheap, but it is good. http://www.acf-50.co.uk/acf-50.htm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Johnster Posted December 21, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 21, 2018 Morning all. Has anyone used GT85 as a lubricant on their locos? Or as it's only minute amounts, car engine oil? Thanks, Tim. I certainly wouldn't recommend car engine oil; it is far to thick and designed to perform best at much higher temperatures than your locos will ever run at (I hope!), even if you can assure yourself that it contains nothing harmful to plastic components and nylon gears. It's not the amount that is the problem, as you say this is minute, but the consistency. Use a light machine oil and make sure it is recommended for model use and safe with plastics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dunsignalling Posted December 21, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 21, 2018 (edited) Those plastic tubes of model oil with a blunt needle applicator on the end, as sold by many model shops and the various modelling tool suppliers for about a fiver, are ideal, and easy, for locos. Correct type of oil for the job and no hassle getting the right amount where it's needed. They last for ages, too. Unless, as I did with my last one, you don't notice it's fallen off the bench and tread on it..... John Edited December 21, 2018 by Dunsignalling Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Michael Edge Posted December 21, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 21, 2018 I certainly wouldn't recommend car engine oil; it is far to thick and designed to perform best at much higher temperatures than your locos will ever run at (I hope!), even if you can assure yourself that it contains nothing harmful to plastic components and nylon gears. It's not the amount that is the problem, as you say this is minute, but the consistency. Use a light machine oil and make sure it is recommended for model use and safe with plastics. I've been using it in everything I've built (and sold) for at least 40 years now with no reported problems - unlike many other so-called "special" lubricants I've come across over the years. It isn't applied with an oil can, just the point of a cocktail stick and I've never seen the slightest effect on any plastic components. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cypherman Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 (edited) Hi all, I use fully synthetic motorcycle oil for my engines. Never had a problem, It has far less additives than car engine oil. Plus being fully synthetic it does not affect plastic like normal fossil based oils. But then again all my engines are about 25 years old or older...... Edited December 22, 2018 by cypherman Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigherb Posted December 22, 2018 Share Posted December 22, 2018 I wouldn't use car engine oil it is not safe for some plastics. Especially if there is any chance of getting oil on motor armatures. Oil leaks from car engines into starter motors and alternators ruins them by softening the insulation on the motor windings causing them to short out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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