TheSamba.com :: View topic - Avocado Oil Exhaust Anti-Rust Treatment

Wed Apr 11, 2018 11:20 am

...so...can we chat about this in a civil manner? I'm honestly intrigued by the subject, and have been applying Peanut Oil ever since a certain ex-member of this site first jumped down my throat about the subject.

I still have questions but have been, understandably, a bit hesitant to post and kick up any any troll chum, but after looking at a couple different oils for cooking I noticed (and this was mentioned in the original thread with out much discussion) that Avocado Oil has a smoke point much higher than Peanut Oil, with Avocado Oil having a smoke point ~520°f wouldn't it be a much longer lasting option than Peanut Oil with a smoke point ~450°f?

After having personally slopped a few pints of Peanut Oil on my pipes and watching it smoke up the garage minutes after starting up the engine, I'm inclined to believe that an oil with a higher smoke point would be a better solution. However I am not a mechanic nor a chemist, and wanted to know if anyone out there has tried this or has a more scientific opinion on the matter?

I hope to invite constructive criticisms and productive debate and may The Samba gods forgive me if this thread ends up like this looking like this in a few days:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m83JcNoNQ-4&feature=youtu.be&t=3m13s

Wed Apr 11, 2018 11:23 am

Wed Apr 11, 2018 11:33 am

Ohh come on Abscate...

I buff mine on my baja bug with woodstove polish..
each oil change..

Wed Apr 11, 2018 11:47 am

If you want a higher smoke point use chromium - rub it into the regular steel real good

real, real good - add a little moly while ya work it

Wed Apr 11, 2018 12:02 pm

So I just looked up IBTL

In Before The Lock.!

So I did learn something from this thread. (before it gets locked) :) kidding of course

Wed Apr 11, 2018 1:02 pm

I'll bite... cause I didn't pay attention to or get involved in that other thread. What exactly is the purpose of applying cooking oil to an exhaust system?

I'm serious... the benefit is not readily apparent to me.

J

Wed Apr 11, 2018 1:20 pm

It smells good.

Wed Apr 11, 2018 1:28 pm

jberger wrote: I'll bite... cause I didn't pay attention to or get involved in that other thread. What exactly is the purpose of applying cooking oil to an exhaust system?

I'm serious... the benefit is not readily apparent to me.

J

The theory, was much like how a chef seasons a cast iron pan, to work the oil into the metal there-by "seasoning" the exhaust as a form of rust prevention.

Wed Apr 11, 2018 1:43 pm

Yes, seasoning the metal. I could never figure out how to coat the inside of the pipes tho, as most of the rust I have seen happen on the multitude of cars I've run have rusted from the inside out.

Yes, there is some longevity in adding a preventive coat on the outside as mentioned, but I could guess at "stove black" being equally helpful.

I didn't get much traction to my query in the peanut thread to my concern tho... But fact is, rust is caused on the inside by water being formed in the process of warm-up of the engine. You will see it clearly displayed as "smoke" out the tail pipe on cold mornings. After a few minutes, the engine has the system hot enough that the water does not condense inside the pipe. Most of the internal damage of the pipes from this kind of rusting are from folks who have short hops, perhaps a short drive to work, etc.

A higher smoke point would help tho, from the perspective of keeping more of the oil on the pipe for longer periods of time.

I usually read up on 'seasoning my cast iron pot' before covering it in the recommended Crisco and baking it at 450F for 3 hours. Fills the house with smoke. YUMMY!!!

If anyone has a good idea on how to apply any of these seasoning techniques to the inside, now would be a good time to chime in.

-bobby

Wed Apr 11, 2018 1:44 pm

brodyjdavis wrote: jberger wrote: I'll bite... cause I didn't pay attention to or get involved in that other thread. What exactly is the purpose of applying cooking oil to an exhaust system?

I'm serious... the benefit is not readily apparent to me.

J

The theory, was much like how a chef seasons a cast iron pan, to work the oil into the metal there-by "seasoning" the exhaust as a form of rust prevention.

So, a cast Iron pan is porous.. and rarely sees temps in the 500° range (except when I'm cooking Ribeyes). Every time you "smoke" the pan you need to re-season it..

My exhaust pipes are in the 450° range when idling at the head flanges... more like 800° or so when under load.. Where exactly is the benefit of wiping cooking oil onto your pipes?

J

Wed Apr 11, 2018 1:46 pm

^^^if that’s the theory, then Flaxseed or Linseed is the oil to use. Nothing seasons cast iron better than Flaxseed oil. Flaxseed oil has a low smoke point but it creates a remarkably hard surface due to fat polymerization. Read below for the science. Try it in your kitchen for the empirical evidence. Transfer this knowledge to your garage for more experimentation.

http://sherylcanter.com/wordpress/2010/01/a-science-based-technique-for-seasoning-cast-iron/

https://www.cooksillustrated.com/how_tos/5820-the-ultimate-way-to-season-cast-iron

https://www.thekitchn.com/i-seasoned-my-cast-iron-...ned-224612

bobbyblack wrote:

I usually read up on 'seasoning my cast iron pot' before covering it in the recommended Crisco and baking it at 450F for 3 hours. Fills the house with smoke. YUMMY!!!

-bobby

Try the method described above to see if you prefer it over the Crisco treatment. I do this in the gas bbq outside to avoid smoke in the house.

I’ve been using cast iron for decades and have never used a more effective seasoning technique. I always have Flaxseed oil in my fridge for this purpose now.

Edit: As for properly treating the exhaust system inside and out, it seems that removing it, dropping it in a Flaxseed (or Linseed) oil bath and then processing it as described six times will lead to the best possible result using oils.

Professionally applied high-temp ceramic exhaust coatings would seem to be more effective? We need complete testing to learn.

Wed Apr 11, 2018 1:59 pm

I'd also mention that any restaurant using peanut oil to cook food will get what they deserve when one of their customers goes into anaphylaxis from allergic reaction. A lawsuit.

Wed Apr 11, 2018 2:02 pm

Quote: If anyone has a good idea on how to apply any of these seasoning techniques to the inside, now would be a good time to chime in.

Easy... put a hole in the top of a piston... or, or, break a couple rings.

J

Wed Apr 11, 2018 2:20 pm

Get that 200-300 HP bolt on turbo kit, add an exclusive diesel pump for injecting said oil at the turbo outlet with injector tapped into the flange. Bingo, Bobs Your Uncle.

-bobby

Wed Apr 11, 2018 2:38 pm

jberger wrote: I'll bite... cause I didn't pay attention to or get involved in that other thread. What exactly is the purpose of applying cooking oil to an exhaust system?

I'm serious... the benefit is not readily apparent to me.

J

It should help to keep your eggs from sticking. Prolly easier to poach them in the coolant tank though.

Wed Apr 11, 2018 2:49 pm

brodyjdavis wrote: After having personally slopped a few pints of Peanut Oil on my pipes and watching it smoke up the garage minutes after starting up the engine, I'm inclined to believe that an oil with a higher smoke point would be a better solution. However I am not a mechanic nor a chemist, and wanted to know if anyone out there has tried this or has a more scientific opinion on the matter?

I am intrigued by the oil seasoning process, but have not tried it myself. I sure would like to see photos of the result of your efforts.

I don't have enough in my change jar to afford a new stainless system, yet.

Wed Apr 11, 2018 3:20 pm

riceye wrote: brodyjdavis wrote: After having personally slopped a few pints of Peanut Oil on my pipes and watching it smoke up the garage minutes after starting up the engine, I'm inclined to believe that an oil with a higher smoke point would be a better solution. However I am not a mechanic nor a chemist, and wanted to know if anyone out there has tried this or has a more scientific opinion on the matter?

I am intrigued by the oil seasoning process, but have not tried it myself. I sure would like to see photos of the result of your efforts.

I don't have enough in my change jar to afford a new stainless system, yet.

The peanut oil method I've used on my stainless pipes turns the pipes a bit darker in color, but just like a cast iron pan left in the oven for a few hours at 550, it eventually turns back to its light silver color and begins to show new surface rust. Hence my genuine interest in finding an alternative that lasts more than a few days before smoking off into nothingness.
The wood stove oil is an interesting solution.

Wed Apr 11, 2018 3:22 pm

bobbyblack wrote: . . . any restaurant using peanut oil . . . onea of their customers goes into anaphylaxis from allergic reaction . . .

That must explain why so many drive-ins, diners and dives prominently proclaim "WE FRY IN PEANUT OIL". And I always thought they were just boasting.

My food purveyor tries to talk me into using canola oil, but I stick with peanut oil, the cost be damned.

Richie (near The Burgh)

Wed Apr 11, 2018 3:30 pm

You can have my peanut oil when you fry it from my cold, dead hands.

Wed Apr 11, 2018 3:32 pm

bobbyblack wrote: . . . I could never figure out how to coat the inside of the pipes tho, as most of the rust I have seen happen on the multitude of cars I've run have rusted from the inside out . . .
-bobby
Winter over anywhere from Chicago to Buffalo and you will see the Light.

By the way, if you're contemplating coating the ID of Vanagon headpipes with any kinda oil, you best be planning to pull the OXS.

Richie (near The Burgh)