Thread: Help finding "Mineral Oil" in Australia

I have been reading in other threads that applying a little "Mineral Oil" to the blade as a finishing step is a good idea to prevent rust and other problems.

My issue is that I can't find it in Australia by that name. I assume that this is just another one of those faucet/tap, petrol/gas type translation issues.

My best guess is either what we in Australia call paraffin (although this may be different to paraffin in the US).

Any help with translations would be greatly appreciated. Alternatively, any pointers to a suitable replacement available in Australia would be great too.

Cheers,

Scott

p.s. Once I collate this (and other answers), I am planning to put up an Australian product FAQ.

Baby oil is mineral oil with scent added. Check the list of ingredients, that may help you identify the type of oil needed. Also mineral oil is used as a laxative and it's usually sitting next to alcohol and peroxide and other low-markup items in pharmacies.

Do you mean baby oil as in this stuff?

http://www.johnsonsbaby.com/products/oil/baby-oil

If so, the scent could seriously erode the manliness of my straight razor usage

Scott

Try searching in pharmacies for pure Mineral oil, or pure Paraffinum (Paraffinol) oil...

Nenad

Here in Aussie, mineral oil generally refers to baby oil or sewing machine oil. Take your pick. Personally I would use camellia oil but it's a tade more expensive. Available in Australia from CARBA-TEC with stores in the eastern states and Perth but they do mail order.

John

Mineral oil is any oil that is "mined" as opposed to oil of vegetable or animal origin. Some baby oils are mineral oil but others may contain oils of plants like almond oil, olive oil etc.

Originally Posted by finno

My best guess is either what we in Australia call paraffin (although this may be different to paraffin in the US).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral_oil

Mineral oil is "by-products" of petroleum refining process and contains paraffinitcs so it looks like yer all correct.

If you see paraffin in a pharmacy, make sure that the indicated uses are as a laxative and as a topical skin emollient. If that's the case, you're on the right track. You can also just ask the pharmacist. They're very helpful.

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

If you see paraffin in a pharmacy, make sure that the indicated uses are as a laxative and as a topical skin emollient. If that's the case, you're on the right track. You can also just ask the pharmacist. They're very helpful.

Laxative on your blade?? I never had a constipated face!

You also put stain remover/solvent into your gas tank, you can drink another solvent and in NL it's legal to smoke a plant that makes excellent textiles/rope. Just because mineral oil works as a laxative doesn't mean it's not good for preserving metal or to be used with oilstones.