Cheap alternatives for shock oil?

[Coelacanth]

I'm sure there must be cheap substitutes for the different weights of oil sold for our RC oil-filled shocks. I see references to 30 weight, 35 weight, etc...but I think a 5W30 or 10W30 motor oil would be much too thick. What do you guys use instead of expensive RC model "niche" products?

[drbelleville]

There is no cheap alternative to the R/C Mineral or Silicone based Shock oil -that I am aware of. Most hobbyshops carry the bigger bottles which are well worth the initial cost. Other than that you might be able to try "Mineral Oil" which is sold at Walgreens or CVS pharmacies, I use it for my Disc Brakes on the Mountain Bike. I just do not know if it will damage any R/C shocks?

[Coelacanth]

Yeah, you're probably right. I remember back in the day some people using vegetable or other cooking oil, and it appears that motor oils could eat through the seals. It's not worth saving a few bucks to risk damaging the shocks. Glad I asked.

[vintage AE]

DON'T try silicon lubes at the sex shops, they are way too expensive

[kaiser]

Yeah, you're probably right. I remember back in the day some people using vegetable or other cooking oil, and it appears that motor oils could eat through the seals. It's not worth saving a few bucks to risk damaging the shocks. Glad I asked.

back in the day my friend put crisco veggie oil in his shocks, the first time i took him racing he won the amain against some very skilled competition. they labled him "crisco".

[Eau Rouge]

Isn't a bottle of Trinity, Associated or Losi shock oil like $5?

I have a dozen bottles of different weight oils sitting on my bench back to when I was racing in the early 90s. The only ones ever replaced were 30 and 35 wts. It's not like you'll be going through this stuff on a regular basis.




Just buy the proper shock oil and be done with it.

[Lonestar]

Pretty much any fluid that doesn't eat up the internals of our shocks will do, really... but when a proper losi bottle is $4 in most hobby shop, why use anything else, really?

In the mid-80's a lot of people were using 1:1 motor oil too... Other than that, I've seen people use ketchup, water, dishwasher liquid, shampoo, vegetable oil, with various levels of success

Paul

[ricerscott]

Just spend the money and get the correct shock oils. They are anywhere from $3-$5 a bottle, and a bottle can last for a few sets of rebuilds. It is money well spent.

[mrhemi1971]

Back in the day we used to run automotive oil. you could buy a bottle of SAE 30wt for a buck and could do hundreds of shocks. The seals werent harmed by it, the shock seals are the same compound used in rubber style valve cover gaskets, and it never hurt them! Using any solvents (lacquer thinner, acetone, etc...) would make the old seals swell, but oil? What type of oil do you think Associated was using?? A special blend just for RC racing?? Ask Curtis what was in the drums that they repumped into little bottles for shock oil.

[rc10johnny]

I still have some of the bottles of that realy dark oil in the shock box,but since the silicone has come out 30# & 35# are the only 2 I use JohnnySr

[Coelacanth]

I found a guy on eBay selling shock oil at decent prices and picked up three 2-oz containers of 25, 30 and 35-weight oil for about $11 shipped.

[treehugger]

Hey Marc do you have some scottish ,s in you ? they say if a scott drop, any coin it hits him on the back of his head when he goes to pick it up .........well thats what i heard anyway ....... ..... ....... ok im hearing crickets

Paul

[Coelacanth]

Hmm I'm not sure I get the joke, Paul, but I can say I have some "cheap bastard" blood running through my veins! Since buying my first house in 2007 and going through this recession the last year & a half, things have been pretty tight financially. I don't buy stuff in stores anymore, it's all eBay--after days or even weeks of patient hunting! If I can fabricate something for almost-free, even better!

[treehugger]

hey it,s a english joke dont take any notice

[klavy69]

they say if a scott drop, any coin it hits him on the back of his head when he goes to pick it up .........well thats what i heard anyway

Paul,
I like that one...I've got dutch blood runnin thru my veins and its pretty much said the same for the dutch. But I've got the 'young dutch' running thru my veins...I spend it all before I get it instead of saving it all as I make it
Todd