From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

In the depths of my memory I have a puzzling idea that uncoated and
rust-fre steel or iron can have powdered graphite rubbed into it to give
it a rust-resistant coating.

Is this an actual thing, or has my brane conjured up more old bollocks?

If I remember correctly (!) I read it in an engine building thread on a
U.S. car forum where some people were discussing rubbing graphite powder
into the cleaned inside of an engine block to speed up oil return off
the block sides, and to prevent any crap sticking to it. Many of the
forumites were sceptical, whilst a few were adamant it was true and
worth the effort.

I was sceptical.

Anyone got any opinions on either idea?

Thanks.
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

David Paste <pastedavid@gmail.com> wrote:

In the depths of my memory I have a puzzling idea that uncoated and
rust-fre steel or iron can have powdered graphite rubbed into it to give
it a rust-resistant coating.

Is this an actual thing, or has my brane conjured up more old bollocks?

Polishes l that are applied to Iron and Steel stoves contain graphite in binders,Zebo used to be a well known one but there are modern versions such
as Stovax.

If I remember correctly (!) I read it in an engine building thread on a
U.S. car forum where some people were discussing rubbing graphite powder into the cleaned inside of an engine block to speed up oil return off
the block sides, and to prevent any crap sticking to it. Many of the forumites were sceptical, whilst a few were adamant it was true and
worth the effort.

I was sceptical.

Anyone got any opinions on either idea?

In the sceptical camp.
While graphite can be a used as a lubricant why would you need a lubricant
to aid the lubricant already in the engine , the oil to flow.

GH
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On Thu, 7 May 2026 14:03:00 +0100, David Paste <pastedavid@gmail.com>
wrote:

In the depths of my memory I have a puzzling idea that uncoated and
rust-fre steel or iron can have powdered graphite rubbed into it to give
it a rust-resistant coating.

Is this an actual thing, or has my brane conjured up more old bollocks?

If I remember correctly (!) I read it in an engine building thread on a
U.S. car forum where some people were discussing rubbing graphite powder >into the cleaned inside of an engine block to speed up oil return off
the block sides, and to prevent any crap sticking to it. Many of the >forumites were sceptical, whilst a few were adamant it was true and
worth the effort.

I was sceptical.

Anyone got any opinions on either idea?

Thanks.

Both graphite and 'Molyslip' (molybdenum disulphide, MoS2) are used as
dry lubricants, especially under high bearing loads. In days of yore,
my first car was a little MG TC sports car, and IIRC I used to add
some sort of Molyslip suspension to the crank case to aid piston and
bearing lubrication. But it was a long time ago...

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=molyslip+versus+graphite
--

Chris
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 10/05/2026 09:14, Chris Hogg wrote:

On Thu, 7 May 2026 14:03:00 +0100, David Paste <pastedavid@gmail.com>
wrote:

In the depths of my memory I have a puzzling idea that uncoated and
rust-fre steel or iron can have powdered graphite rubbed into it to give
it a rust-resistant coating.

Is this an actual thing, or has my brane conjured up more old bollocks?

If I remember correctly (!) I read it in an engine building thread on a
U.S. car forum where some people were discussing rubbing graphite powder
into the cleaned inside of an engine block to speed up oil return off
the block sides, and to prevent any crap sticking to it. Many of the
forumites were sceptical, whilst a few were adamant it was true and
worth the effort.

I was sceptical.

Anyone got any opinions on either idea?

Thanks.

Both graphite and 'Molyslip' (molybdenum disulphide, MoS2) are used as
dry lubricants, especially under high bearing loads. In days of yore,
my first car was a little MG TC sports car, and IIRC I used to add
some sort of Molyslip suspension to the crank case to aid piston and
bearing lubrication. But it was a long time ago...

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=molyslip+versus+graphite

Yes, I remember adding molyslip to the engine oil in my first car - a
1957 Standard 10. Starting it on a cold morning left the oil pressure
light lit for a few seconds after the engine started, and with molyslip residue in the bearings it suppressed the bearing knock until the light
went out, that I heard without it.

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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Yes, I remember adding molyslip to the engine oil in my first car - a
1957 Standard 10.-a Starting it on a cold morning left the oil pressure light lit for a few seconds after the engine started, and with molyslip residue in the bearings it suppressed the bearing knock until the light
went out, that I heard without it.

There was also a MolySlip additive for 2 stroke motors, although I
suspect that my late father was wasting his time putting it in his James
Cadet - may as well have put it in the lawn mower
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