3 in 1 oil safe for plastic parts?

[ben10ben]

A former hobby of mine was repairing and reselling film SLR cameras. Within the camera repair community , 3 in 1 oil was a big no-no because of its tendency to gum over time. And don't even get me started on WD-40....

In the amateur camera repair community, WD-40 is actually a commonly used lubricant. 

If you spray some into a jar and let it sit for a few days(or centrifuge it for a few minutes, as I typically do) you get a white, waxy substance which settles to the bottom and a relatively pure oil which goes to the top.  I did some analysis on this top layer, and found it to be composed of hydrocarbons in the C8 to C14 range. 

I suspect, although I haven't tried it, that this oil would be an excellent lubricant for trains where no metal was involved, such as postwar trains. 

[dwiemer]

I would caution against using anything but fluid specifically manufactured for your smoke units in the engines.  I used to use WD40 in my 2020, never had a problem and it smoked more like the real thing, but I have heard of folks having the units actually catch fire by using oils/other fluids in smoke units.  I value my trains and house too much.

Dennis

[Anonymous]

A former hobby of mine was repairing and reselling film SLR cameras. Within the camera repair community , 3 in 1 oil was a big no-no because of its tendency to gum over time. And don't even get me started on WD-40....

[gvdobler]

I buy a lubricant from the LGB store that works great.  Most of LGB rolling stock has plastic wheels and axles.  It is kind of a white creamy grease that comes in a tube.

[ben10ben]

From a chemistry point of view, it would depend on the plastic involved.

It would also depend on any other components(ie plasticizers) that have been added to impart a specific property to the plastic, which could also be soluble in the 3-in-1 oil. 

I don't know right off the top of my head what type of plastic e-unit drums are made of, however I would stear clear of using any kind of oil on them without knowing what they are made of. 

You don't really need to oil e-units at all-they should work just fine without any lubrication, and any added could cause problems in the long run. 

[RR Redneck]

Hmm............*throws out his cases of 3-in-1 Oil*.

[Buckeye Riveter]

My

After you procure a model locomotive for, say $100 to $1000, it seems foolish to me to use grease or oil that is questionable.  I have, as an adult, used grease or oil that I purchased at my LHS and I have never had any problems with compatibility.   As a kid, I used anything I could get my hands on, and consequently ruined a few things. Luckily, they were slot cars, not trains.

[ADCX Rob]

3-in-1 Oil Discussion

E-Unit Lubrication Discussion

Rob 

[thor]

I use 3 in 1 too BUT years ago when I used it on my HO locos SOME of them were affected over time, it took a while - about a year - before I noticed the effect which was that the plastic became both soft and brittle! It went slimy to the touch and internally it went that 'white' that plastic does when you stress it to breaking point. The locos most affected were Tri-angs early run and their System 3 trackage. However it was also probably the result of enthusiastic over oiling, had I applied oil sensibly a dop or so at a time it probably wouldnt have attacked the plastic. Of course 3-in-1 may have changed their formula since then.

[ivesboy]

 

  So is 3 in 1 safe for lionel prewar and postwar plastic components? I used it to free up an e-unit and tested it on an old e-unit drum which was heat warped. Its been coated in the oil for about 3 days and hasn't begun to soften, or "melt" yet. Just want to be sure and i know from talking to others that some operators are concerned about the types of lube to use. I use a silicone synthetic lube on all my powertrains, and the 3 in 1 oil for everything else. It seems to be the same as the lionel oil and is cheaper. Oh yeah and it also doubles as smoke fluid for flyer!