A good lubricating oil is a must-have in any studio. One might be enough, but stocking two or three different oils allows you to take advantage of the unique properties and features of each lubricant. This post covers some favorite oils and how to use them.
My go-to studio lubricant is the Boeshield T-9 Waterproof Lubricant. It’s a superior lubricant with a mix of solvent and paraffin wax originally developed by Boeing for aircraft components. It sprays on and dries to a stable, long-term, non-greasy film. Bicyclists love this product but it’s got a wide variety of uses. I use it on everything and it’s just a cleaner, longer-lasting, and superior lubricant. For this reason it’s my number one recommendation.
A full review of studio oils and lubricants is below.
Table of Contents
Top Pick: Boeshield T-9
Advantages of the Boeshield T-9
Wahl Hair Clipper Blade Oil
WD-40
3-in-1 Oil
Other Oils and Lubricants
Wrap-Up: The Best Oil and Lubricant for an Art Studio
Top Pick: Boeshield T-9
Developed by Boeing for the aviation industry, Boeshield T-9 Waterproof Lubricant is an all-purpose aerosol spray lubricant that is a combination of solvent with paraffin wax. It does not contain Teflon, silicone, fluorocarbons or acetone. As a penetrating lubricant / solvent, it can be used to clean dirt, flush out water, and prevent rust. It quickly dries to a waxy film that stays in place for much longer than a similar product, such as WD-40. In the studio, I use this on tools, pottery wheels, hinges, for loosening rusted parts, and just about anywhere a lubricant is needed. T-9 is similar to WD-40, but improved with the addition of paraffin wax.
A bike shop originally recommended this product to me and seeing how great it works as a dry chain lubricant that doesn’t attract dirt and grim, I quickly began to use it in the studio. You’ll love this stuff too. Just be careful: this is the kind of product that someone will “borrow” if you leave it sitting around. It’s that good.
Advantages of Boeshield T-9
Cleaner and longer lasting than other solvent-type lubricants
Non-sticky, doesn’t attract dust
Will not harm paint, plastic, rubber or fiberglass
Works on just about everything
Second Pick: Wahl Hair Clipper Blade Oil
This one might surprise you, but I love Wahl Hair Clipper Blade Oil as an all-purpose studio oil. It’s thin, light, doesn’t build up and sure, it works on hair clipper blades but I put it to use wherever you might use something like 3-in-1 Oil. What I really like is the long spout to get to hard-to-reach places, and the screw-on cap. I use this in situations where a solvent isn’t really needed as this is just pure oil. The bottle also indicates use a honing oil, but I haven’t tried that.
Wahl Hair Clipper Blade Oil is a basic, affordable, light oil in a convenient and functional bottle.
Third Pick: WD-40
WD-40 is the O.G., the original, and for many, the best penetrating solvent / lubricant. You’ve probably got some in your shop or studio right now. I surely do. I do prefer the clean, non-sticky and waxy finish of the Boeshield T-9 but WD-40 definitely has a place in any studio. Its best use is as a cleaner / degreaser. It doesn’t really stick around too long though, so plan to use in conjunction with some oil with more body. But if you have something like a bunch of rusty bat pins or need to remove a lot of rust, there’s nothing better than a WD-40 soaking.
The other place WD-40 excels is in can design. The permanently attached straw with a two-way spray mechanism is a legitimate innovation. No more hunting for the little red straw. And you can also find WD-40 for sale everywhere.
Final thought on WD-40: no longer my favorite but I still keep it around and use it often.
Fourth Pick: 3-in-1 Multi-Purpose Oil
Another classic that is simple, effective, and very affordable, 3-In-One Oil is available in 3 oz and 8 oz bottles, there’s also a 4 oz bottle with a long, telescoping spout, which is a great idea. This is a squeeze or dropper type oil that’s great for wheels, casters, door hinges, or lubricating anything squeaky. To my eye (and nose!), it’s not as clean and light as the Wahl Hair Clipper Oil, which is why I prefer that product. But 3-in-One is easy to find almost anywhere. In addition to lubrication it will penetrate rust, clean and protect tools, and just do the job.
Other Oils and Lubricants for the Shop and Studio
There are a few other oils and lubricants that we recommend for speciality applications in the studio.
Liquid Wrench
Liquid Wrench is another penetrating oil available in a dropper or aerosol bottle. It’s great for freeing stuck nuts and bolts or gummed-up machinery. I’ve used it on super-corroded bolts with success and would recommend it for that.
As with most of these oils, they’ve really expanded their product line so there’s quite a few specialized options. And in bottle innovations, they’ve taken it one step further with a spray can with an LED flashlight. Impressive! Probably great for machinists and engine repair but I haven’t tried that bottle yet.
Tri-Flow Oil Superior Lubricant
Tri-Flow Superior Lubricant is available in dripper or aerosol spray bottle and is a penetrating lubricant with Teflon. Think of it as juiced-up 3-In-1 Oil but it will stay drier and doesn’t attract dirt like 3-In-1. I used this for bicycles before discovering T-9. It’s a good lubricant but is no longer in the mix for us. But if you need a special application with Teflon, this is what you want.
Plastic Oil Dispenser Bottle
These bottles are great if you’ve got an oil you like or want to find one of the above oils in bulk. Make your own dripper with a long spout! Very handy to have around.
Wrap-Up: The Best Oils and Lubricants for Art Studios
My favorite all-around oil is the Boeshield T-9 penetrating oil because of it’s ease of use and dry, long-lasting waxy finish. I also like that it is a solvent and paraffin wax mix without Teflon, silicone or acetone. It’s the best lubricant I’ve ever used and I put it to use it all around the studio and at home on bicycles.
But I keep a few other oils around too, including Wahl Hair Clipper Oil and WD-40. I like WD-40 for rust and corrosion removal but after it evaporates, there’s not much body or oil left behind. The Wahl Hair Clipper Oil is a simple light oil that is great on tools, wheels, casters, hinges and other uses.
What oils do you like? Please share in the comments?
