8mm Forum: Vintage projector oil... a no-no?

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Posted by John Pierson (Member # 6665) on October 21, 2018, 09:49 AM:

Hey Team! Question, I've seen attractive new-old-stock boxes of old projector oil that would be cool to display. Is it also ok to use the older oil on vintage projectors? Or does it have a shelf-life and it's not recommended? It would be cool to get a old box of Keystone, Dejur, etc. oil to display but also if I could use it, more bang for the buck lol. Any recommendations, like, dude, don't do it! Or, Dude, go for it! Thanks!

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on October 21, 2018, 10:14 AM:

Not all old projectors used the same type oil. Some just needed lubricating and others had a gearbox. Most instruction manuals will refer to the recommended oil.
Stick to display.

Posted by John Pierson (Member # 6665) on October 21, 2018, 10:19 AM:

Whew...thanks!

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on October 22, 2018, 08:44 PM:

I've never heard of old getting too old to use - I have a bottle of fine projector oil from around the 1960s that seems perfectly 'normal' - but if any oil experts think it has a limited life, please let us know.

Posted by Nantawat Kittiwarakul (Member # 6050) on October 23, 2018, 02:15 AM:

Not a 100% scientific answer,but chemical do have its useful life for sure. [Roll Eyes]

My wild guess is that new synthetic oil should have longer shelf life,while older non-synthetic oil might had aged up beyond its useful life.

If it's me,I would choose newer high quality oil over half a century old non-synthetic oil,no doubt. [Wink]

Posted by Simon Wyss (Member # 1569) on October 23, 2018, 02:26 AM:

As a trained professional polymechanic I can only advise to use fresh lubricants, be it oil or grease. Only synthetic lubricants withstand oxidation and there are fellows in the trade who declare that all lubricants deteriorate, synthetic ones, too.

Have an oil bottle on display and keep in mind that the content can be okay. Oxigen and light are the enemies. On the other hand, sulphur contained in most of the traditional petrochemical lubricants can react with copper contained in brass and bronze together with the oxigen of the air. The product is copper sulphate, that green-blue sticky substance known to many collectors and users of motion-picture equipment. Synthetic lubricants do not contain any sulphur.

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