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I am suprised we are having a discussion about cheap alternatives for shock oils. Firstly (as previously stated) they aren't that expensive, and secondly anyone who would be balking at the cost of a bottle of shock oil isn't going to be changing the oil very often in the first place, so one bottle should last a while. Right? -Jeff

We're having a discussion as this is a discussion forum, no?

It's a silly discussion. Shock oil is already cheap. What more do you want? Want a cheaper alternative? Don't buy any shock oil at all and leave the shocks all empty. Works fantastic. Light weight, too.

Its hard to say that 2oz of shock oil is cheap @ $4 when $4 will buy you 24 oz of vegetable oil!! I have experimented with this, actually trying to find an additive to change the vicosity of the vegetable oil....Unsucessfully. Almost everything just falls out of solution. I don't see a big difference though in veggie versus 30wt personally. Ask me what's in my cheap shocks and I'll tell you I can do many rebuilds before needing another bottle

I think vegetable oil's consistency might be more subject to change with temperature and time than silicone shock oil.
It also leaves a gummy residue on parts over time, but I guess if you were in a pinch it would be better than nothing.
You could always try a synthetic motor oil (although I suppose that's not quite as cheap)
Personally, I'd rather just splurge on the real stuff.

I used air before

I'm thinking of building shock quick and air free, the best way I think is to submerge it under the silicon oil when refilling . I need a container in reasonable size so both my hand can work on it, after measure the needed volume of oil with water, I need 8 to 10 bottle of silicon oil to fill up the container; My local sell 8~10 dollar which is 6~7+ USD per bottle, not wise to spent that amount of $$.

So I went down to a silicon oil supplier trying to buy a few liter/33.7ounce but they only sell in 55 gallon(7040oz) drum , but they are kind enough to give me about 2litter(.5 gallon) and a 1 litter of additive as sample(that explain its not costly) . The oil(almost gel) look like 50,000~100,000 cst and the additive work like paint thinner to adjust the viscosity.

Well, can't tell what is the weight after mixing tho , might invest in a viscometer if I can buy at lower volume.

I've 6 buggy and 3 truck usually change the oil after 4 to 6 run, and I ran 3 car per outing.It become costly in the long run especially a few of them are 1/8 and equip with big bore shock

Back in the days (late-eighties) we used mineral oil, but then we got the silicon oil The biggest differs for a racer back then, is that silicon was not so sensitive to temperature shifting due to friction, or when surrounding temperatures is rising during the day of racing! Witch meant that we didn’t need to rebuild the shocks during the day for temperature reasons as we use to do with mineral oil.

I hope you understand what the Swede trying to explain in English?

Cheers

Anyone have a cheap alternative to those free ketchup packets you get with a Value Meal at McDonalds? I'm looking to cut corners...

Mayo ...

You're both wrong, ketchup's viscosity is changed by the addition of the mustard. And mayonaise breaks down fast during the piston stroke.

That's why I use a 50/50 mix of Chinese food packets of Soy sauce and Hot Mustard, the MSG and preservatives in them make them last forever

gotta make sure the mustard is a fine grind though, I made the mistake once and you should see the car pogo after the small particles of seed plug the pistons and bind the shock up solid!