What store brand oil should I use?

Go to Automotive and get a quart of Mobil 1, instant lifetime supply.  A needle point bottle (search Amazon) will make it easy to get a small drop right where you want it.

Dear Bob, If you can look for La Belle lubricants, because they are advertised as not hurting plastics.  ODD-D

Many years ago, there was a feeling among Marx collectors that 3-in-1 oil would cause the pot metal to disintegrate, so the story was to avoid using it.

@Matt Bollinger posted:

Hi. What oil should I use for my O gauge trains? Im looking for oil that i can get cheap at stores like Walmart.

I have used Warren Distribution pure synthetic oil sold at CostCo(Kirkland) and at Walmart("SuperTech" brand) with perfect success. Amazon synthetic is also from Warren Distribution, as are many other brands.

Here we go again - the oil wars.  I noted a while ago that automotive oil or bicycle oil built up grunge on running gear.  I switched to sewing machine oil - formulated to not stain clothes and have been satisfied with that choice.  Once upon a time I repaired antique clocks so I have some tubes of super synthetics but don't use that on trains.  A recent thread extolled the virtues of conductive oil on rollers.  I would avoid oils with break-free or water displacement additives; my dad told me to avoid 3-in-1 60 years ago.  Then there's the cult of Wahl clipper oil (one of GRJ's recent posts showed Wahl in the upper half of a suitable oils list).  So, any high quality mineral or synthetic oil will do.  Just use it sparingly.

Grease: Red-n-Tacky ... there's always an extra squeeze of the gun when doing trailer bearings to provide year's supply for the trains.

You can 3-in-1 motor oil which says it's plastic safe.  The bottle I gave has blue lettering and is different from the black lettered regular 3-in-1 oil.  At Walmart it's probably in either the paint or hardware section.

You could also go with a gun or fishing reel oil from sporting goods.

If you already have needle oilers then I would just get a bottle of motor oil.

I agree with Bob;  Mobil 1 synthetic oil is the way to go.  It's a quality product which works well with trains.   For the amount of time you can and will use it I would say it's very, very inexpensive.  I have been using it for years and I have a one quart bottle which is still 98% full.

@OKHIKER posted:

I agree with Bob;  Mobil 1 synthetic oil is the way to go.  It's a quality product which works well with trains.   For the amount of time you can and will use it I would say it's very, very inexpensive.  I have been using it for years and I have a one quart bottle which is still 98% full.

I’ll third that,....all the products I use are Mobil1 ....oil & grease,...

Pat

@CK posted:

You can 3-in-1 motor oil which says it's plastic safe.  The bottle I gave has blue lettering and is different from the black lettered regular 3-in-1 oil.  At Walmart it's probably in either the paint or hardware section.

You could also go with a gun or fishing reel oil from sporting goods.

If you already have needle oilers then I would just get a bottle of motor oil.

3 in 1 oil isn't a very good product. It gums up in short order.

It's not even good on electric motors.

Go with the mobile 1 synthetic.

I've extended the life of my refrigerator fan as well as the fan motor on my home central air unit with mobile one for several years now.

I use Woodland Scenics Hob-E-Lube HL662 after Des Plaines Hobbies convinced me to buy it. Obviously not a Walmart oil.

So ... guessing that Walmart sells Lucas oil, I headed over to the Lucas website to see what they have. Under "Problem Solvers & Utility", I see Fishing Reel Oil, which has a needle spot like the Woodland Scenics, and "The Original Gun Oil", which includes the description of "An excellent general purpose household lubricant". As I recall, Walmart sells fishing reels and guns, so maybe you could find those.

Only, Walmart has a website too. They don't sell Lucas fishing reel oil (but yes to other brands), but they do sell Lucas gun oil, and other brands.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/10006-GUN-OIL-2OZ/49678902

That bottle is 8.33 and my WS has a sticker of 9.99, maybe in 2017. Hardly seems worth the price savings.

What weight Mobil 1 should you use?

been using 3in1 for years...no problem...metal,plastic,zinc...trick is not to over oil...

@Gene H posted:

What weight Mobil 1 should you use?

There’s no rule, whatever floats your boat, ask 10 different modelers, you’ll get 10 different answers,....I use:

5W-20 for motor shafts      
75-140 rod bolts and valve gear.    
HP grease for gear boxes.

Pat

Been using 3-in-1 Oil for 65 years. Seems to work quite well, no problems.

Jeff

the best is Red n tacky in my opinion "IMHO" second would be Mobil one but that is a oil not a grease. train engine need grease for gear boxes "red N Tacky" side rods etc need OIL 1 drop only a little goes a long way!   "IMHO"

Alan     

@Alan Mancus posted:

the best is Red n tacky in my opinion "IMHO" second would be Mobil one but that is a oil not a grease. train engine need grease for gear boxes "red N Tacky" side rods etc need OIL 1 drop only a little goes a long way!   "IMHO"

Alan     

Mobil 1 has different greases in their product line Alan...

Pat

@Matt Bollinger posted:

Hi. What oil should I use for my O gauge trains? Im looking for oil that i can get cheap at stores like Walmart. I dont care what brand it is, just the type. I read some articles that WD40 can seize the wheels and gears of locomotives so I don't want to get a random type and it being the wrong oil.

Why not just get Labelle or Excelle oil that is made specifically to lubricate model trains?  Unless you have an incredibly large roster, a little container with built in applicator will last a very long time.

For most lubrication requirements on older metal Lionel locomotives 5w20 motor oil works well and lasts a long time.

For anything else I use the proper Labelle lubes

John

@Lehigh74 posted:

Why not just get Labelle or Excelle oil that is made specifically to lubricate model trains?  Unless you have an incredibly large roster, a little container with built in applicator will last a very long time.

Best reply of the week!!!!!  Also, the most correct, in my opinion.

@Matt Bollinger posted:

What oil should I use for my O gauge trains?  Im looking for oil I can get cheap at stores like Walmart.  I don't care what brand, just the type.  I read that WD40 can seize the wheels & gears of locomotives, so I don't want to get a random type & have it be the wrong oil.

Matt... the "which oil," & the "Can I use lamp oil as smoke fluid?" question are asked here about twice a month.  Do a search here for lubricants, or oil for trains, and you will find many threads.

I use 3 in 1 oil for wheels and gears along with a light sewing machine oil I usually buy at gun shows.  Real cheap and great stuff.

@Lehigh74 posted:

Why not just get Labelle or Excelle oil that is made specifically to lubricate model trains?  Unless you have an incredibly large roster, a little container with built in applicator will last a very long time.

Well, LaBelle was not in the lubricant business when I started oiling my engines in 1955. Along with the old 3-in-1, I do have several types of the LaBelle brand oil in small tubes, and it is a good product.

Jeff

I’ve been very happy with LaBelle.  I don’t have a huge fleet to maintain so the bottles and grease will likely last a long time.

Don't recommend lamp oil or any fuel for smoke generators...you might get a rude surprise...involving the local fire dept....stick with the correct fluid.....