I've seen some discussion on other threads about loco lubricants, and thought it would be useful to start this thread. I don't use the standard hobby oils because of what a chemist told me. I use Synthetic auto transmission fluid.

The Dexron II is a synthetic oil, which has several advantages over natural refined oil. Here's his comments:

Yes, I use only Dexron II.

I'm a chemist who resurrected my childhood trains about 25 years ago and had to clean every last wheel journal of every car, the bushings of every motor, and the gears of every power truck. I had lubricated them as a kid with light machine oil. It all turned to gum.

As a chemist, I know that refined natural oils have unsaturation that eventually will oxidize. Over time, this produces the gum. Synthetics don't and therefore won't.

I use Dexron II because as a kid I also ran Aurora Thunderjet 500 slot cars and used their Special Racing Oil. Never a problem, even when we used way too much. Later, when I found the slot car set after having spent my teen years working on cars, I found the near-empty bottle of Special Racing Oil. I opened it and immediately recognized the smell - transmission fluid!

Then I got to thinking about why they would use it. It does not conduct electricity, so it is safe around motors. It has a low viscosity that is relatively constant over a broad temperature range, so whether cold or hot, it's viscosity is about the same. It will not gum up, it is compatible with plastics, metals, and paint.

You can wipe it up with a tissue if you get it on the painted surface of your model. If you put too much, it will just sling off, but a film will remain and stay where it is needed. And you can buy a lifetime supply for less than $2.00! What a deal!

I have been using Dexron II exclusively as my only wet lubricant for over 20 years and have never had a problem and have NEVER had to go back and clean up a sticky residue. If I feel there is not enough residual fluid on a bearing surface, I'll add a little more.

I have purchased the Labelle 108 oil for the needle oiler and immediately dumped the full container of oil in my truck's engine and replaced the fluid with Dexron II. I don't use grease, I don't use three different types of (expensive) liquid oils for special purposes, I only use transmission fluid.

Darn clever, if you ask me. Synthetic Auto Transmission Fluid is all I use.

You can go to the auto store and get a single quart bottle. Dexron II is obsolete these days, but just get an Automatic Transmission Fluid that says it's Dexron II compatible and is synthetic. It will cost you more like $10 these days, but not that much more considering a single quart will be a life-time supply.

Just Google: synthetic auto transmission fluid dextron II

Get yourself a Labelle oil bottle like he says and then dump it into your car engine and fill the bottle with synthetic ATF. You'll have a lifetime supply of loco lubricant that will never go bad on you for a few dollars.