Shock Oil vs Shock Silicone?

[MONSTER]

Needing Shock "Oil", mostly for T3s and other AE (MGT, DS, yada, yada), but also own Traxxas (Rustlers, Street Sports, REVO). So, what do we get? Can one be used in place of the other, and maybe not be vice versa?
I know its not a vintage question, but I ask here for the "caliber" and Speed of answers.

[badhoopty]

ive always used either ae silicone shock oil or trinity silicone shock oil in all my shocks.

i think on a fresh rebuild its ok to use silicone on older shocks, i have done it with no problems.

i dont think you can mix silicone and non-silicone shock oil.

[Northy]

AE oil is silicone oil.

G

[MONSTER]

So, we can use either, on ANY vehicle, as long as we dont MIX the 2? Thats makes sense, unless some makers material (o-rings, plastic shock bodies (assume irrelevant for al.), etc) reacts, in some way to either.

[JR]

I got a question for you guys that build shelf queens. Do you fill the shocks with fluid when you build em? I was, but now Ive been leaving them dry just so they dont leak, but I run the risk of the seals drying out. Either way I guess Im at a loss, but Ide rather not have shock oil leaking out on my builds.

[scr8p]

I fill mine.

[Eau Rouge]

All shock oil sold now is silicone-based oil. In my opinion, it all sucks. Not because they are ALL different viscosities between companies (i.e. an Associated 30wt is different than a Trinity 30wt and different than a Losi 30wt), but because the RUBBER o-rings and bladders in all of our shocks swell and break down with the silicone oils. It's ridiculous that we keep using this stuff. If the orange o-rings weren't used everywhere, the oil wouldn't be an issue.


MIP makes blue silicone o-rings for shocks that I use in all of my shocks. They don't leak or change size when exposed to silicone oils. I use Trinity oils for everything, but I do have a stash of vintage Robinson mineral oils from way back.



Mixing does nothing... we're not combusting engines with the oil. Trinity, Losi or Associated are all fine. Buy what your local hobby shop has in stock and stick with one brand if you plan to race.

[badhoopty]

I got a question for you guys that build shelf queens. Do you fill the shocks with fluid when you build em? I was, but now Ive been leaving them dry just so they dont leak, but I run the risk of the seals drying out. Either way I guess Im at a loss, but Ide rather not have shock oil leaking out on my builds.

lately i've been just green sliming the seals w/no oil.

[Northy]

I actually measured the viscocity of AE 30wt and Losi 30wt and it was almost identical.

G

[teshreve]

I have a car in my cabinet that has had silicon shock fluid in it for a long time; like 10+ years. And I have shocks in bags, etc that have had this stuff in them for even longer. They don't appear to be leaking...
I think silicon is one of the more inert substance out there. I would think petroleum based products would be a bigger problem. It is very complex and loaded with chemicals.
Although I am far from an expert in this stuff.
One thing I am sure on, however, is that if you are worried about consistency, silicone is definitely the way to go. I have no information on brand-to-brand variances, but the very same petroleum based shock fluid will change viscosity with only minor changes in temperature. It could be 30 wt for the first qualifier and 20 wt for the main. That is why this stuff is labeled 10w30, etc for automobile engine oil. It changes with temperature.
It also a fact that silicone based lubricants (synthetic, if you will) are superior in their wear characteristics. Quite simply, parts lubricated with synthetic oils wear less. Again, you can refer to the auto industry for proof.
And don't forget about breast implants
Silicone, baby. Safe enough even to put in PEOPLE

[Northy]

Silicone oils change viscosity with temperature too, AE lie on the label

G

[teshreve]

I wonder how synth and dino fluids compare in that regard.
I mean, everything changes viscosity with temperature. It is inescapable. But to what degree by comparison?

[Northy]

Silicone doesn't change much, but it changes.
I heard of another oil that is better but is unavailable in high viscosities.

Silicone also has another problem, it is 'shear thinning' like paint Not ideal really.

G

[MONSTER]

Silicone doesn't change much, but it changes.
I heard of another oil that is better but is unavailable in high viscosities.

Silicone also has another problem, it is 'shear thinning' like paint Not ideal really.

G

Whats that mean? Sorry.

[Northy]

You know when you stir paint, it gets thinner? Its viscosity decreases, well so does silicone, and it gets worse the higher viscocity (@25 degrees) it is. Shampoo does it, as does non drip gloss, thats why it doesn't drip!

G