cheap bodywork protection?

[guydenning]

Was out fiddling with fifi over the weekend (ooer Matron...) and suffered the inevitable hassling by some senior citizen who previously owned a mog (best car he ever had etc etc etc - 'Why did you get rid of it then??'). Anyway, I digress; He said than when he removed the oil annually for the DIY service and filter change - he used the old oil as a 'brush on' underside protector. He reckoned it did the biz - any opinions? I'm happy to do it if it means not having to find a way of disposing of the stuff and it works.

[Cam]

Quite a lot of people do that. It's a good idea and it protects the underside. It just makes working under the car VERY messy....

[guydenning]

mmm - worth considering then - i mean nobody goes under a morris to stay clean do they? that's half the fun - striding purposefully back into the house, boilersuit unbuttoned to your navel, smothered in oil and demanding your supper. then getting a slap, being told to grow up and getting exiled to the bathroom with a catering pack of swarfega.

[paulb2]

Used this method, try mixing the oil with some grease. Thickens the oil and make it stick better, still very messy.

Used this on an old mini ran it for years and never had it welded.

[Cam]

striding purposefully back into the house, boilersuit unbuttoned to your navel, smothered in oil and demanding your supper. then getting a slap, being told to grow up and getting exiled to the bathroom with a catering pack of swarfega.

BATHROOM?? You mean you make it THAT far!! Kitchen sink for me until I'm de-loused enough to walk through the house............. mind you, I make the rules as it's my house!........... hmmm..... maybe I should cut me some more slack!

[bigginger]

...and why do you work with your boiler suit open to the navel? I think we should be told...

[guydenning]

it's for the calendar shots - i can put you on my mailing list if you like...

[Vernon]

Crikey! How do you fit that heater under your dashboard?

[bigginger]

Didn't realise you'd turboed Fifi either!

[adritch]

Have heard similar stories re using old engine oil, and spraying it inside chasis members, but on a word of caution I understand that used engine oil is a Class 2 carcinogen so best to be careful splashing the stuff around. Apparently new engine oil isn't, so not sure what happpens in the engine to turn it into one.

I was also told by an ex navy guy that Swarfega is also a Class 2 carcinogen and is banned by the navy. However, I can't confirm that as gospel.

I use washing up liquid with a teaspoon of sugar for really grimey stuff. Works wonders.

[rayofleamington]

I use washing up liquid with a teaspoon of sugar for really grimey stuff. Works wonders.

I use gloves (I'm turning into a softy) but at least I don't have scabby/peeling skin on my hands from all that oil.
If you don't use gloves then you should at least use a good barrier cream. The benefit is 3 fold as it
1) stops you skin from resembling the singing detective'
2) makes the oil and grime wash off instead of being embedded into your skin until it grows out
3) increases the protection from these nasty carcinogens (cancer causing agents) that are present in old engine oil etc..

As for the dangers of old engine oil - I doubt it is that dangerous. However certain engine and hydraulic seals are pretty nasty if the car has been on fire (allegedly Viton is nasty if the car has been on fire). The fire brigade and recovery companies often tell their staff not to go near burnt out vehicles for risk of touching the stuff.

[Onne]

Old diff oil is a real pain...
Stinks and hurts the skin

[Cam]

it's for the calendar shots - i can put you on my mailing list if you like...

Looks a bit like Metropolis to me!

Oh and for the hand cleaning, I use Fairy Liquid and a Scotch cloth. Gets EVERY trace of muck/oil off. Best not to use it on soft/delicate hands though. But if you keep doing it, your hands harden up to it......

[guydenning]

Looks a bit like Metropolis to me!

nope - just me and my big tool

actually it's by Lewis Hine - 1920s ish - just foun this fine link to the gent:
http://www.archives.gov/exhibit_hall/pi ... _hine.html