Oiling an MV

Jon Skagfeld · #1 21-04-10, 21:26

Decades ago, it was SOP to apply engine oil to our vehicles prior to an inspection. Nice and shiny; I guess that satisfied the nabobs in the inspection team.

I recently got to thinking about doing the same for my jeep...just to tart it up.

Then I got to further thinking (Yeah, I know, dangerous ground). Wouldn't doing this create a helluva magnet for dust, dirt and road grime?

Anyone with experience recently doing this?

Gordon Yeo · #2 21-04-10, 22:09

If you oiled the jeep this could create a whole new enviormental problem. Would you need to put the whole jeep in a drip tray and not just a drip tray under the engine?

Gord

Phil Waterman · #3 21-04-10, 22:13

Hi Joh

Yes, I have heard of lightly spraying an engine with oil to make it look nice. But normally you cleaned the engine first. The light spray of oil was to prevent rust and make it look good.

But anybody with CMP will tell you about the layer of dust and oil that will build up over time on an engine if you can not clean it off. Half an inch thick crud is not uncommon.

Cheers Phil

Speedy · #4 21-04-10, 22:14

I cover my tractor in fluid film (its like a honey consistency when cold, more free when warm) for winter snow removal. its still on the tractor today and have been tilling the garden. I am surprised because its not covered in dust.
I doubt you would want to spend the money on fluid film.

maybe saturate a cloth with oil and just wipe everything. I dont think it would run to much.

not sure I would personally go thru the effort for a vehicle
but if it did get to dirty a wash would be easy

Jon Skagfeld · #5 22-04-10, 19:17

Gord:

I didn't mean I wanted to "sheep-dip" the Jeep!

Phil:

Sorry if I misled you...I'm referring to applying engine oil to the exterior of a vehicle in order to make it look "Parade Square perfect" for an inspection.

Speedy:

Since I live in a rural farming area, it's precisely the dust that tractors kick up that concerns me about sticking to the oiled surface.

malcolm erik bogaert · #6 22-04-10, 20:28

when I was a young sprog in the late 1960's one of my weekly tasks was to go to POL point and draw some petrol and oil plus some cotton waste....mix the oil with the petrol until you get 2 stroke...soak the cotton waste in same and apply only to the exterior of the vehicle...petrol vaporises and leaves a nice shiny surface on the vehicle...prior to MT Officers inspection.....glad I only had a Landrover FFR....cheers malcolm PS still doing the same today!

Bruce MacMillan · #7 22-04-10, 20:50

Myself and others use linseed oil to wipe down the case & front panels of radio equipment. Gives it a bit of spiff and prevents rust & corrosion. Great if your vehicle has radio equipment exposed to the elements.

Jon Skagfeld · #8 23-04-10, 00:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce MacMillan

Myself and others use linseed oil to wipe down the case & front panels of radio equipment. Gives it a bit of spiff and prevents rust & corrosion. Great if your vehicle has radio equipment exposed to the elements.

Hmmm...boiled or raw?

maple_leaf_eh · #9 23-04-10, 03:08

We had an RSM who made us 'shine up' the camoflage of our assorted M38A1s with 10W30 before some big parade. Truthfully, the fleet was pretty ugly and 18 shades of weathering.

He also had us march with our SMGs horizontal with the slings at 45deg, which was not in the drill manual. We looked like some tinpot African Palace Guards contingent!

Philliphastings · #10 23-04-10, 07:18

We were taught to give our (light and heavy) vehicles a light coat of plain baby oil for parades , which we seemed to have a few of in the Australian Army. It makes the vehicle look terrific but lasts only a day. It also attracts dust but washes off easily with detergent after the parade. Just wiped on with a sponge or rag and even makes the tyres shine.

I still use baby oil when I run a vehicle in Anzac Day Parades, veterans reunion or car shows. Any other time it's back to olive drab lustreless.

Cheers

Phill

malcolm erik bogaert · #11 23-04-10, 10:03

Aye lads happy days and not a care in the world! beauty of this method that muck washes off easily leaving a nice protected body...until the next time!cheers malcolm

Howard · #12 24-04-10, 07:02

When I helped in a speedway pit crew a few years back we used to coat the car with CRC 5.56 (or WD40) before and inbetween races. The car looked shiny for the parade laps, the mud from the track did not stick to it, and washing off when we got home was a breeze.
Currently, we are experiencing a Locust plague, which was turning the front of my ute into an ordinary orange/brown colour. So i have been coating the front of the car in said 5.56... The little buggers burst & slide off on impact now!
I don't know how it will effect the paint long term, but most of the front of my ute is plastic, anyway.

Matthew Reid · #13 24-04-10, 19:37

One note about WD-40 on paint it is a royal pain in the ass if you ever get the vehicle repainted. It is almost impossible to get it all off and you end up with fish eyes in the paint job. The vehicle will need a couple complete wipe downs with thinner before any sanding can begin.

Matthew