Found A Good Use For Old Engine Oil ...

[Linotype]

I've 'painted' it on the bottom of my car ... took about 1.5 hours and looks a treat. Have an elderly Mazda MX5 that I've owned for about 3 years ... decided to change the oil but didn't really know what to do with the old stuff ... (I live in Cape Town, alas now a third world country, so not too worried the tree huggers amongst us) ... easy job really, just a little messy. What started my thought processes going was the state of my garage door hinges that were replaced 24 months ago - red rusty and deteriorating badly ... but what about my pretty little two-door sports ... suffice to say that a glance under the car was really disheartening ... rusty suspension parts and all around the so-called 'chassis'. Had previously sprayed W40 where I could inside the engine bay and that still looks reasonable ... but underneath ... so I jacked the car up back and front; used four trestles and clambered under ... used the navy way of painting with the help of a cotton cloth and copious amounts of drained-off sump oil ... This all had me wondering if AB-ers have an opinion of what I've just tackled as a waste of time/heinous crime, et al ... but leave a spanner on the workbench and it starts to go rusty within 48 hours ... get the picture!! Await your thoughts ...

[woofgang]

if you can get it, Waxoyl would have offered you a better return for your effort :)

http://www.hammerite.co.uk/product/waxoyl/

[Hopkirk]

I hope you were careful to keep it off yourself.
Used engine oil is carcinogenic.

[DTCwordfan]

yep, hopkirk is right.....PCAs and PCBs.

As an ex lubs-vp of a major, the worst example I have come across is using it as a bbq fuel in Argentina..... Nice steaks, I bet.

[ToraToraTora]

oh dear, it wont dry and thus will pick up a ton of road grime to eat through your car. Use waxoyl for that.

[piggynose]

Wudve been wise to have googled it first or asked us on here

[Bazile]

Jacob - what are you doing messing about under rusty cars .
Dip into those millions you have in your bank account and buy a new car ?

[TWR]

I like to think I keep the underside of my car Clean by power washing then Lubricate the Essentials eg/ Hand brake levers, Metal B.Pipes, the issue I can see with what you have done is when the car goes for a it's yearly check UK the Examiner "may say" that there is a major oil leak from some where beneath the car, oil can be blown back from the front Crank Seal giving the looks of a serious oil loss.

[Linotype]

Mmmm, UK motorists may be surprised (horrified) that there is no such thing as an annual MOT test here in South Africa! In fact, so long as you keep the car in your name [you can even pass it on to your mates, as long as they pay the annual road licence] without ever having the vehicle tested ... if you've ever wondered why there's so many road deaths here ±10 000 per annum on average ... now you know. While I'm on my high horse, only 35% of motorists even bother with insurance, again it's NOT compulsory ... that and we have ±40 murders a day countrywide ... I think we ex-pats pay dearly for the sunshine!!

[Hopkirk]

I am suitably surprised and horrified.

[piggynose]

Time to move, I would've thought

[ToraToraTora]

I am not surprised at what has become of SA but I am suprised you live there. Plenty of nicer safer places if you just want the currant on your Cilla.