[GreenKeys] Teletype Oil (Ad Nauseum)

[Jim Haynes]

One of the questions I don't know the answer to: In KS7400 there was some
volatile substance that gave it the distinct aroma, and in 3-in-1 it
is citronella.  Is the volatile component there solely to give the mixture
a trademark odor?  Or does it have a function, such as helping the oil to
get into tight places and then evaporating to leave the oil behind?

In some early document that I can't find right now Teletype specifically
said not to use 3-in-1 oil.  I guess that stuff has been around for a
long time.  Perhaps it is too thin.  I've been using 3-in-1 large motor
oil, which is in a blue and white can rather than the red, white and black
can, and is 20 weight.  It used to be said that automotive engine oil
should be non-detergent, as the detergent would make all the parts turn
green.  I've used detergent oil in a pinch and have not had anything
turn green, so maybe detergents have changed.

I have had some former Western Union machines with selector trouble, and
when I took the separator plates apart there was a green varnish-like
substance on them.  I don't know whether W.U. used some oil of their
own formulation that led to the problem, or whether it occurs with
KS7400 oil.