Construction and other equipment - Oil Dipstick Darkening

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Oil Dipstick Darkening

Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Construction and other equipment
Forum Description: everything else with orange (or yellow) paint
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=108209
Printed Date: 25 Jul 2025 at 8:26pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Oil Dipstick Darkening

Posted By: Ian Beale
Subject: Oil Dipstick Darkening
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2015 at 8:59pm

Call it old age perhaps but I'm having some trouble seeing oil levels on some dipsticks.

Shiny steel ones work ok with diesel engine oil as it blackens, but transmission oil on shiny ones not so good, particularly the transmission one in a FA 10 dozer

So can I use gun blue to darken these dipsticks without issues? The type I have uses selenium oxide to do the blueing.

TIA

Replies:

Posted By: DiyDave
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2015 at 4:51am

I run the dipstick up against a fine grinding wheel side, so it makes horizontal scratches on the ds. much easier to read...

Posted By: Ian Beale
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2015 at 5:39am

I've done some reading and apparently there is a trace of selenium in diesel - and I presume lube oil. So I presume no extra nasties.

So I tried the process on the diesel tank dipstick. Using Birchwood Casey product. I put one coat on and aged overnight. Sure is easier to read and we'll see for how long.