We recently had this lovely email from a customer who was trying out Owatrol Oil as a rust inhibitor on the recommendation of some of their readers – the customer is and editor of Tractor and Machinery.
Unfortunately we don’t have any photographs of their project but we do have the kind words they have said about our product and their honest opinions and we can explain to you how they have used it.
Scott’s email said:
If there was one product we were itching to get our hands on, it was this! We’d heard so many good things about Owatrol Oil that we wanted to see if the hype was deserved. It’s worth explaining that there are several strings to this product’s bow.
It can be used as a rust inhibitor, paint conditioner or for impregnating wood, but we used it as instructed by readers in a bid to enhance the look of an original tractor. Owatrol Oil allows you to achieve that ‘oily rag’ look, without the mess, while stopping rust and protecting the base metal from further rusting, eliminating moisture and penetrating down to the sound metal.
We cleaned up the tinwork of our tractor before applying Owatrol Oil with a clean rag and achieved some excellent results. Yes, it’s expensive, but you don’t need that much to achieve the desired effect, so it should last a while.
He also took the time to rate (out of 5*) Owatrol Oil against some common indicators and here’s what he thought:
- Container/package: ****
- Usability/ease of use: *****
- Effectiveness: *****
- Value for money: ***
- Total: 17/20 – a pretty good score!
We know that Owatrol Oil may seem a little expensive but as Scott says, a little does go a long way! You will find that even a small tin can serve you well for many jobs. Scott used his Owatrol Oil neat and applied it to the metal work with a rag. Doing this protects the rusted areas from further damage and brings out the shine of the metalwork.
Scott is right, Owatrol Oil can seem like a somewhat complicated product as it can fulfil so many roles.
So, what exactly is Owatrol Oil?
For starters, Owatrol Oil is a rust inhibitor which can be used directly on rusted surfaces. This is because it can penetrate through the rust to the sound metal below, isolating and stabilizing it to prevent further damage.
However, that’s not all. Owatrol Oil can also be used as a paint conditioner for oil-based paints and works in a similar way as Easy Flow does in water-based paints. It maintains the wet edge for longer allowing you to work with the paint in more difficult conditions, as well as eliminate brush and roller marks.
It also improves paint adhesion and can help prevent peeling and blistering.
In addition to these jobs, Owatrol Oil can be used as a penetrating wood protector. It saturates the wood and prevents damage caused by moisture and UV rays. It will also protect any metal parts too such as hinges, latches and bolts.
There are many more uses for Owatrol Oil, but if you know a different job you use Owatrol Oil for then please leave a comment below. It’s always interesting to see what a wide range of purposes our customers are using it for!
I am currently using Owatrol for a “patina look” on my 1971 VW bus. So far I have done the rear transmission/engine area and am very happy with the look on the surface rust. I simply used an old Windex spray bottle and was able to get the oil applied in some really tough spots. My intentions are to sand the entire vehicle and shoot the entire bus as is with the oil for a clear coat look. Hopefully I will be able to send some pictures this coming fall.
Hi Ronald,
Thanks so much for your comment regarding using Owatrol Oil on your 1971 VW bus.
That sounds like a fantastic project! Yes, please send some pictures our way once complete – we would very much like to see them.
Thanks again, Ronald.
All the best,
The Owatrol Team