Cosmoline?

When I was in the detailing shop, there was an OLD can marked "Cosmoline
Remover...DO NOT USE!!!"

IIRC, Toyotas used to come from Japan at least partially sprayed with
Cosmoline to prevent corrosion from salt water on the trip to the US.

While ripping my Scion apart, I noticed there is no treatment at all for
the interior panels of the doors, the rockers, etc. I was thinking of
spraying the innards with hydraulic oil, but them I got to thinking about
Cosmoline.

Cosmoline is commercially available as a spray or as a brush-on 'jel' that
can be applied to metal surfaces. It occurs to me that spraying the
interior panels with the spray, and then brushing the jel onto rust prone
areas (the underside of the doors, the rockers and the inner panels of the
trunk) would help guard against the corrosion that occurs in the Northeast
in the winter.

The car is not going to see a lot of winter driving, esp in snow, but
after seeing how hydraulic oil preserved the 20 year old Celica I just
gave away, I want to do something to preserve the car for as long as
possible.

Any thoughts?

Hachiroku wrote:
[color=blue]
> IIRC, Toyotas used to come from Japan at least partially sprayed with
> Cosmoline to prevent corrosion from salt water on the trip to the US.
>
> While ripping my Scion apart, I noticed there is no treatment at all for
> the interior panels of the doors, the rockers, etc. I was thinking of
> spraying the innards with hydraulic oil, but them I got to thinking about
> Cosmoline.
>
> Cosmoline is commercially available as a spray or as a brush-on 'jel' that
> can be applied to metal surfaces. It occurs to me that spraying the
> interior panels with the spray, and then brushing the jel onto rust prone
> areas (the underside of the doors, the rockers and the inner panels of the
> trunk) would help guard against the corrosion that occurs in the Northeast
> in the winter.[/color]

You may want to look into waxy oils, like 3M's Sealwax or Finnegan's
Waxoyl, which are sprayed into body panels at the factory to prevent
rust. Some cars have it in the lower 6" of the door interiors. Another
thing that helps stop corrosion is cold galvanizing spray, which is at
least 90% zinc powder. It seems to work even when applied over paint.

On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 01:42:28 +0000, Hachiroku wrote:
[color=blue]
> When I was in the detailing shop, there was an OLD can marked "Cosmoline
> Remover...DO NOT USE!!!"
>
> IIRC, Toyotas used to come from Japan at least partially sprayed with
> Cosmoline to prevent corrosion from salt water on the trip to the US.
>
> While ripping my Scion apart, I noticed there is no treatment at all for
> the interior panels of the doors, the rockers, etc. I was thinking of
> spraying the innards with hydraulic oil, but them I got to thinking about
> Cosmoline.[/color]

Then there's this, in a spray can:

Chain Wax

Chain and Cable Lube

Contains no CFC's!

Maxima Chain Wax is a superior power spray lubricant designed for all
chain care needs. It’s special ParaFilm™ formula creates a waxy film
similar to Cosmoline, offering long term protection especially in water
and high humidity environments. Maxima Chain Wax is formulated with heavy
duty, anti-wear, and extreme pressure additives that provide superior
lubrication for all chains, cables, and sprockets. Maxima Chain Wax
penetrates deeply, lubricating non accessible areas, reducing chain
stretch and wear. Chain Wax is simply the best choice for all chain and
cable care needs.

"Hachiroku" <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote in message
news:8sBYg.1250$5h6.604@trndny04...[color=blue]
> When I was in the detailing shop, there was an OLD can marked "Cosmoline
> Remover...DO NOT USE!!!"
>
> IIRC, Toyotas used to come from Japan at least partially sprayed with
> Cosmoline to prevent corrosion from salt water on the trip to the US.[/color]

I'm not sure if the stuff on the cars was actually Cosmoline, but it was
very similar, with a waxy-greasy texture. I remember giving a tour of the
port facility to the then-chairman after he had signed the NUMMI agreement,
and he wanted to see the "de-waxing" operation. As the only
Japanese-speaking employee in northern CA, I didn't have someone to
translate for me and it took me a moment to figure out that he wanted to see
our special car wash that used kerosene instead of soap to remove the
cosmoline.
[color=blue]
> While ripping my Scion apart, I noticed there is no treatment at all for
> the interior panels of the doors, the rockers, etc. I was thinking of
> spraying the innards with hydraulic oil, but them I got to thinking about
> Cosmoline.
>
> Cosmoline is commercially available as a spray or as a brush-on 'jel' that
> can be applied to metal surfaces. It occurs to me that spraying the
> interior panels with the spray, and then brushing the jel onto rust prone
> areas (the underside of the doors, the rockers and the inner panels of the
> trunk) would help guard against the corrosion that occurs in the Northeast
> in the winter.
>
> The car is not going to see a lot of winter driving, esp in snow, but
> after seeing how hydraulic oil preserved the 20 year old Celica I just
> gave away, I want to do something to preserve the car for as long as
> possible.
>
> Any thoughts?[/color]

TeGGer swears by Rust-Check or Kronos, sold in Canada, and he tends to be
right a lot more than he is wrong.

Officially, Toyota recommends not applying any additional rust-proofing, and
to be honest, most of the rust I had to look at were right around the holes
that were drilled by places like Ziebart.

The cars seem to be a lot more rust-proof lately, our '97 Avalon does not
have any exterior rust, even though it has been to the body shop 3 times and
has not been waxed since I took delivery 10 years ago.

As a happy medium, perhaps you want to apply Cosmoline or some other
rust-preventative along seams where panels are hemmed and welded. Do not
apply to any surface that is damp or you'll just trap the moisture. Keep
away from seat belts and wiring harnesses, especially connectors. Avoid any
stuff that is tarry or rubbery. Tegger likes stuff that is drippy, I
respect his judgment, or else use something that is waxy, or be lazy like me
and do nothing and still not have rust 10 years later.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 18:58:34 -0700, do_not_spam_me wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> Hachiroku wrote:
>[color=green]
>> IIRC, Toyotas used to come from Japan at least partially sprayed with
>> Cosmoline to prevent corrosion from salt water on the trip to the US.
>>
>> While ripping my Scion apart, I noticed there is no treatment at all for
>> the interior panels of the doors, the rockers, etc. I was thinking of
>> spraying the innards with hydraulic oil, but them I got to thinking about
>> Cosmoline.
>>
>> Cosmoline is commercially available as a spray or as a brush-on 'jel' that
>> can be applied to metal surfaces. It occurs to me that spraying the
>> interior panels with the spray, and then brushing the jel onto rust prone
>> areas (the underside of the doors, the rockers and the inner panels of the
>> trunk) would help guard against the corrosion that occurs in the Northeast
>> in the winter.[/color]
>
> You may want to look into waxy oils, like 3M's Sealwax or Finnegan's
> Waxoyl, which are sprayed into body panels at the factory to prevent
> rust. Some cars have it in the lower 6" of the door interiors. Another
> thing that helps stop corrosion is cold galvanizing spray, which is at
> least 90% zinc powder. It seems to work even when applied over paint.[/color]


I found the Waxoyl while looking up 'rustproof', and found a Waxoyl dealer
about 30 miles from my home.

Thanks for the tip on Sealwax, I'll have to look that up. Since it's 3M, I
can probably order it locally.

Ands just what you and Ray described, 6" of the lower door interiors and
seams and weld points.

Thanks for the tips!

"Hachiroku" <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote in message
news:8sBYg.1250$5h6.604@trndny04...[color=blue]
> When I was in the detailing shop, there was an OLD can marked "Cosmoline
> Remover...DO NOT USE!!!"
>
> IIRC, Toyotas used to come from Japan at least partially sprayed with
> Cosmoline to prevent corrosion from salt water on the trip to the US.
>
> While ripping my Scion apart, I noticed there is no treatment at all for
> the interior panels of the doors, the rockers, etc. I was thinking of
> spraying the innards with hydraulic oil, but them I got to thinking about
> Cosmoline.
>
> Cosmoline is commercially available as a spray or as a brush-on 'jel' that
> can be applied to metal surfaces. It occurs to me that spraying the
> interior panels with the spray, and then brushing the jel onto rust prone
> areas (the underside of the doors, the rockers and the inner panels of the
> trunk) would help guard against the corrosion that occurs in the Northeast
> in the winter.
>
> The car is not going to see a lot of winter driving, esp in snow, but
> after seeing how hydraulic oil preserved the 20 year old Celica I just
> gave away, I want to do something to preserve the car for as long as
> possible.
>
> Any thoughts?[/color]


My thought is, I'm glad I don't live in that part of the country where I
have to worry about such things.

On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 20:22:05 -0700, "Jeff Strickland"
<crwlr@yahoo.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>
>"Hachiroku" <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote in message
>news:8sBYg.1250$5h6.604@trndny04...[color=green]
>> When I was in the detailing shop, there was an OLD can marked "Cosmoline
>> Remover...DO NOT USE!!!"
>>
>> IIRC, Toyotas used to come from Japan at least partially sprayed with
>> Cosmoline to prevent corrosion from salt water on the trip to the US.
>>
>> While ripping my Scion apart, I noticed there is no treatment at all for
>> the interior panels of the doors, the rockers, etc. I was thinking of
>> spraying the innards with hydraulic oil, but them I got to thinking about
>> Cosmoline.
>>
>> Cosmoline is commercially available as a spray or as a brush-on 'jel' that
>> can be applied to metal surfaces. It occurs to me that spraying the
>> interior panels with the spray, and then brushing the jel onto rust prone
>> areas (the underside of the doors, the rockers and the inner panels of the
>> trunk) would help guard against the corrosion that occurs in the Northeast
>> in the winter.
>>
>> The car is not going to see a lot of winter driving, esp in snow, but
>> after seeing how hydraulic oil preserved the 20 year old Celica I just
>> gave away, I want to do something to preserve the car for as long as
>> possible.
>>
>> Any thoughts?[/color]
>
>
>My thought is, I'm glad I don't live in that part of the country where I
>have to worry about such things.
>
>
>[/color]
LOL....me too.

My trips into that country as short and few....

It is BEAUTIFUL in Florida now and all year...


--

Scott in Florida

On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 20:22:05 -0700, Jeff Strickland wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> "Hachiroku" <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote in message
> news:8sBYg.1250$5h6.604@trndny04...[color=green]
>> When I was in the detailing shop, there was an OLD can marked "Cosmoline
>> Remover...DO NOT USE!!!"
>>
>> IIRC, Toyotas used to come from Japan at least partially sprayed with
>> Cosmoline to prevent corrosion from salt water on the trip to the US.
>>
>> While ripping my Scion apart, I noticed there is no treatment at all for
>> the interior panels of the doors, the rockers, etc. I was thinking of
>> spraying the innards with hydraulic oil, but them I got to thinking about
>> Cosmoline.
>>
>> Cosmoline is commercially available as a spray or as a brush-on 'jel' that
>> can be applied to metal surfaces. It occurs to me that spraying the
>> interior panels with the spray, and then brushing the jel onto rust prone
>> areas (the underside of the doors, the rockers and the inner panels of the
>> trunk) would help guard against the corrosion that occurs in the Northeast
>> in the winter.
>>
>> The car is not going to see a lot of winter driving, esp in snow, but
>> after seeing how hydraulic oil preserved the 20 year old Celica I just
>> gave away, I want to do something to preserve the car for as long as
>> possible.
>>
>> Any thoughts?[/color]
>
>
> My thought is, I'm glad I don't live in that part of the country where I
> have to worry about such things.[/color]


I knew a mecahnic (er, Technician) who was from N.C. He moved up here
because his wife was from here. After three years he moved back to N.C.
His boss said he just couldn't stand working on Rust Buckets anymore!

It is a big deal here. I don't know if this car was parked on the coast or
driven on the beach, because corrosion has started ALREADY, and it looks
like Salt Water. I'm going to have to get some of that GM stuff and spray
all the bolts on the car!

October in Florida... sweet relief... couldn't ask for any better



Scott in Florida wrote:[color=blue]
> On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 20:22:05 -0700, "Jeff Strickland"
> <crwlr@yahoo.com> wrote:
>[color=green]
> >
> >"Hachiroku" <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote in message
> >news:8sBYg.1250$5h6.604@trndny04...[color=darkred]
> >> When I was in the detailing shop, there was an OLD can marked "Cosmoline
> >> Remover...DO NOT USE!!!"
> >>
> >> IIRC, Toyotas used to come from Japan at least partially sprayed with
> >> Cosmoline to prevent corrosion from salt water on the trip to the US.
> >>
> >> While ripping my Scion apart, I noticed there is no treatment at all for
> >> the interior panels of the doors, the rockers, etc. I was thinking of
> >> spraying the innards with hydraulic oil, but them I got to thinking about
> >> Cosmoline.
> >>
> >> Cosmoline is commercially available as a spray or as a brush-on 'jel' that
> >> can be applied to metal surfaces. It occurs to me that spraying the
> >> interior panels with the spray, and then brushing the jel onto rust prone
> >> areas (the underside of the doors, the rockers and the inner panels of the
> >> trunk) would help guard against the corrosion that occurs in the Northeast
> >> in the winter.
> >>
> >> The car is not going to see a lot of winter driving, esp in snow, but
> >> after seeing how hydraulic oil preserved the 20 year old Celica I just
> >> gave away, I want to do something to preserve the car for as long as
> >> possible.
> >>
> >> Any thoughts?[/color]
> >
> >
> >My thought is, I'm glad I don't live in that part of the country where I
> >have to worry about such things.
> >
> >
> >[/color]
> LOL....me too.
>
> My trips into that country as short and few....
>
> It is BEAUTIFUL in Florida now and all year...
>
>
> --
>
> Scott in Florida[/color]

On 16 Oct 2006 06:37:12 -0700, "Mark" <bogusmailmark@yahoo.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>October in Florida... sweet relief... couldn't ask for any better[/color]

Believe it or not, I made it thru the summer with NO AIR!

The fact that I have a pool helped a lot.

It can be done, and it really was not too bad....


--

Scott in Florida

On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 21:04:33 -0500, "Ray O"
<rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
[color=blue]
>
>The cars seem to be a lot more rust-proof lately, our '97 Avalon does not
>have any exterior rust, even though it has been to the body shop 3 times and
>has not been waxed since I took delivery 10 years ago.
>[/color]

Once they started using galvanized steel, it seems that most of the
problems were solved.

A 10 year old car in my area used to be Swiss cheese. Now, my wife's
'94 is just starting to show some rust bubbling up the paint around
the wheel wells. My '98 has no visible rust damage at all.
[color=blue]
>stuff that is tarry or rubbery. Tegger likes stuff that is drippy, I[/color]

I know people that have their cars sprayed with used oil every Fall.
They swear by it.

"Stuart Krivis" <jd@mongo.krivis.com> wrote in message
news:euc7j21fu13fsrfnruicmh7uug1d78j18o@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 21:04:33 -0500, "Ray O"
> <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>
>>The cars seem to be a lot more rust-proof lately, our '97 Avalon does not
>>have any exterior rust, even though it has been to the body shop 3 times
>>and
>>has not been waxed since I took delivery 10 years ago.
>>[/color]
>
> Once they started using galvanized steel, it seems that most of the
> problems were solved.[/color]

Toyota uses stuff called gavannealed (SP?) steel. Galvanized steel would
have a flaky finish like a galvanized bucket.
[color=blue]
>
> A 10 year old car in my area used to be Swiss cheese. Now, my wife's
> '94 is just starting to show some rust bubbling up the paint around
> the wheel wells. My '98 has no visible rust damage at all.
>[color=green]
>>stuff that is tarry or rubbery. Tegger likes stuff that is drippy, I[/color]
>
> I know people that have their cars sprayed with used oil every Fall.
> They swear by it.
>[/color]

I've seen used motor oil and used ATF. Motor oil is more likely to ruin
rubber gaskets so ATF was slightly more popular in New England. You could
tell which cars had that stuff sprayed because it would drip out and stain
the paint.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

An aside, which I am known for, about Cosmoline.

I became heir to a Remington-Rand .45 1911A1 a few years ago. Been in the
family since late 50's maybe early 60s. A DCM 12.50 gun! It was wrapped in
an oily rag and slide was stuck. Looked rust free so I "WD'd" it and let it
soak. Loosened in minutes - stripped it and there was good quanity of
cosmoline around recoil spring. I used acetone (I think) to cut it. Oiled
it up and it shoots fine. Oh yea, made in 1943 and appears to been fired
little and all is original (some shiney holster wear). But cosmoline was
still viable but gooey after at least 40 years and possibly more.

Ron (not from California today cause of the stupid ass gun laws).

On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 12:34:42 -0400, Stuart Krivis wrote:
[color=blue]
> On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 21:04:33 -0500, "Ray O"
> <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>
>>The cars seem to be a lot more rust-proof lately, our '97 Avalon does not
>>have any exterior rust, even though it has been to the body shop 3 times and
>>has not been waxed since I took delivery 10 years ago.
>>[/color]
>
> Once they started using galvanized steel, it seems that most of the
> problems were solved.
>
> A 10 year old car in my area used to be Swiss cheese. Now, my wife's
> '94 is just starting to show some rust bubbling up the paint around
> the wheel wells. My '98 has no visible rust damage at all.
>[color=green]
>>stuff that is tarry or rubbery. Tegger likes stuff that is drippy, I[/color]
>
> I know people that have their cars sprayed with used oil every Fall.
> They swear by it.[/color]


Used oil can be corrosive! I have my car sprayed with new hydraulic oil,
but it's messy! I had the LHS done 2 years ago, and it still drips from
the door handle!

That's why I asked about Cosmoline, because it's like Waxoyl, and actually
a lot like petroleum jelly. It will stick where you brush it, but it does
run at 135 degrees F, so hot summer days will make it melt.

On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 12:08:03 -0500, Ray O wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> "Stuart Krivis" <jd@mongo.krivis.com> wrote in message
> news:euc7j21fu13fsrfnruicmh7uug1d78j18o@4ax.com...[color=green]
>> On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 21:04:33 -0500, "Ray O"
>> <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>
>>>The cars seem to be a lot more rust-proof lately, our '97 Avalon does not
>>>have any exterior rust, even though it has been to the body shop 3 times
>>>and
>>>has not been waxed since I took delivery 10 years ago.
>>>[/color]
>>
>> Once they started using galvanized steel, it seems that most of the
>> problems were solved.[/color]
>
> Toyota uses stuff called gavannealed (SP?) steel. Galvanized steel would
> have a flaky finish like a galvanized bucket.
>[color=green]
>>
>> A 10 year old car in my area used to be Swiss cheese. Now, my wife's
>> '94 is just starting to show some rust bubbling up the paint around
>> the wheel wells. My '98 has no visible rust damage at all.
>>[color=darkred]
>>>stuff that is tarry or rubbery. Tegger likes stuff that is drippy, I[/color]
>>
>> I know people that have their cars sprayed with used oil every Fall.
>> They swear by it.
>>[/color]
>
> I've seen used motor oil and used ATF. Motor oil is more likely to ruin
> rubber gaskets so ATF was slightly more popular in New England. You could
> tell which cars had that stuff sprayed because it would drip out and stain
> the paint.[/color]


LOL! See my reply to Stuart! On a WHITE LHS, no less!

But that car came from GA, and didn't even see a NE Winter, so when I got
it I had it oiled thoroughly! Always looked dirty...