FAQ's
(Frequently Asked Questions)

The original Slick-50 (pre 1984) formula is now sold under the name Xcelplus.

Q Is it true that Xcelplus is the original Slick-50 formula?
A Yes. In 1983 John Bishop the inventor discontinued the supply of  the formula to Petrolon who marketed Slick-50.

Q Can the manufacturers of the new Slick-50 formula quote tests done with the original Slick-50 formula?
A No. The Slick-50 settlement with the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) prohibits Slick-50 from making claims that rely on the original Slick-50 tests.

Q Can Xcelplus quote tests done under the Slick-50 name?
A Yes... for any test done with the original (pre 1984) Slick-50 formula.

Q What other names has Xcelplus been marketed under, when were they available and where?
A Click here for a list of Trademarks used to market Xcelplus N.B. Xcelplus is also being marketed as Lubrilon at the moment. Both names are used on this site.

Q What is the difference between Xcelplus and it's competitors?
A Xcelplus is a PERMANENT treatment..
Xcelplus has been TESTED extensively.
Tests are PROVIDED on the web site.

Q Do you have a picture of the PFL (Permanently Fused Layer) coating?
A Yes in the Tests section (Franklin Institute and NASA)

Q Are Xcelplus claims substantiated?
A Yes. There are tests by independent laboratories, consumer and government organisations: Look in the tests section.

Q How can I test it's working?
A Do some DIY tests

Q Is Xcelplus an "oil additive"?
A No. Xcelplus is a "boundary lubricant" and it treats the metal not the oil.

Q Does Xcelplus contain PTFE (Poly Tetra Fluoro Ethylene)?
A Yes.

Q Is PTFE the active ingredient?
A No. The manufacturer says it is not and so do Dupont.

Engine Treatment

Q How long does the treatment last?
A  In normal use it will last over 160,000 kms. If an engine is rebuilt, parts are changed or mechanically abraded these parts will need to be re-treated.

Q How long does it take Xcelplus to treat the engine?
A The length of an oil change is ideal. It is recommended that the oil is not changed for at least 5,000 Kms. The longer Xcelplus is in the longer it has to treat the metal. This is especially important in dirty engines where the metal has to be cleaned/prepared so the treatment can bond to the surface.

Q Can I split my treatment across two or more oil changes?
A Yes. A very dirty engine or an engine where the oil is changed very often would benefit from this approach.

Q How is the Xcelplus applied?
A Put the treatment in with the oil when you do an oil change.

Q If one bottle of Xcelplus treats an engine capacity of ~7L can you put less in smaller engines?
A Yes. Roughly pro-rata.

Q Is over-treating an engine with Xcelplus dangerous?
A No. Xcelplus only coats to 1-2 microns thickness then stops. Any excess will be flushed out with the oil change.

Q If you apply the recommended amount of Xcelplus is there any chance you will under-treat your engine?
A No. The recommended amount should be more than sufficient to treat any engine up to ~7L engine capacity.

Q Will Xcelplus make the wet clutch in my motorcycle slip?
A No. The fibre plates remain uncoated and do not slip even though the metal separator plates are coated.

Q Can you treat a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) or automatic transmission with Xcelplus?
A No. It MAY cause slippage.

Q Can you treat differentials, gear boxes and other parts with Xcelplus?
A Yes. Virtually anything which uses oil as a lubricant can have Xcelplus added to it N.B. It should NOT be used in automatic transmissions (including CVT's) as it MAY cause slippage.

Q Is Xcelplus compatible with synthetic, mineral, graphite, castor and ester (vegetable) based oils?
A Yes. Xcelplus is non-polar and thus will dissolve in any non-polar solvents (oils). It does not dissolve in polar solvents (alcohols).

Q Is it better to treat an old car or a new car with Xcelplus?
A Both.
A new car gets the benefit of reduced wear (lasts longer).
An old car often shows the greatest improvements e.g. economy, noise, temperature, etc...

Q Can you treat a brand new car with Xcelplus?
A No. You have to wait until the car is run in. Xcelplus will slow down the wear-in process dramatically.

Q Will Xcelplus help a smoking vehicle?
A Yes. Xcelplus removes varnish and helps the rings move more freely in the piston so they seal better. N.B. Xcelplus does not replace metal or fix worn seals.

Q Will Xcelplus increase compression?
A Yes. Xcelplus removes varnish and helps the rings to move more freely in the piston/cylinder so they seal better: compression evens out across all cylinders N.B. Xcelplus can not fix broken rings or replace missing metal or fix seals.

Q Can I use my favourite oil with Xcelplus?
A Yes. Xcelplus does not change the performance of an oil.

Q How can I tell if Xcelplus is compatible with something?
A Put a small amount of Xcelplus and your oil together and see if they mix. If they sediment or separate then they are not compatible.

Q Can you use oil additives with Xcelplus?
A Yes... preferably only after treatment: The oil additives may interfere with the treatment process.  

Q What effect does using Xcelplus have on oil or oil additives?
A Oils and oil additives last longer and work better: The effect is synergistic.

Q Can you extend the oil change intervals when using Xcelplus?
A We recommend maintaining manufacturer specified oil change intervals.

Q How long does it take for the savings with Xcelplus to pay back the cost of the product?
A If your mileage was to increase by 10% it would take you $1,000 of fuel to pay the cost of the bottle. Other savings also occur. The value of these other savings (like longer engine life, greater reliability and protection from seizing) can easily exceed the improvement in economy... so payback usually only takes a few months.

Q How much do you save at the pump by using Xcelplus?
A Savings vary primarily according to the vehicle, driving style, age of vehicle and other factors e.g. A 10% improvement in efficiency would be the equivalent to saving ~12c/L

Q Should the bottle be shaken before applying?
A Yes.

Q Can I run my engine without oil after treating with Xcelplus?
A We do not recommend running without oil: Oil helps remove heat/contaminants and decreases impact forces. Tests running without oil are only meant to demonstrate that Xcelplus adds an extra level of permanent protection in excess of that provided by oil or oil additives.

Q Can Xcelplus be used in hydraulics?
A Hydraulic oils are normally non-polar. Xcelplus is soluble in a non-polar hydraulic oil but it is not specifically formulated for this use.

Q Can Xcelplus be used in brake fluid
A No. Brake fluid is highly polar and the Xcelplus is non-polar: the product will not dissolve.

Q Can Xcelplus be used in water?
A No. Water is polar and Xcelplus is non-polar. Unlike substances do not dissolve in each other.

Q Will painting Xcelplus onto a surface work?
A It should but in the absence of heat and pressure it will take much longer to coat: Using the lubricant or grease would probably work better.

Q Is the Engine treatment subject to evaporation?
A No. It contains a paraffin which is extremely heat resistant.

Q What is the most unexpected result from treating something with Xcelplus?
A A worn (~10,000kms) OEM 520 (light) motorcycle chain on a Yamaha XT600 was treated by adding a small amount (~1 ml) of Xcelplus to the chain oil (using a Scottoiler). Chain life increased from ~12,000Kms to 57,777 Kms (a saving of ~$1,200)

Grease

Q What happens when you treat parts like bearings with the Xcelplus grease?
A The parts last longer and require greasing less often (saves lots of work): This also means less grease is required.

Q How can I tell the Xcelplus grease is working?
A Usually it is possible to notice a decrease in rolling resistance after a short run-in e.g. Try rolling down a hill after you grease all the wheel bearings.

Lubricant: All purpose, penetrating and permanent

Q How is the lubricant best applied?
A You can use a spray nozzle, a brush, a stick or a dropper: Only a small amount is required for most applications.

Q How long does the lubricant last?
A It depends on the application. The treatment bonds to the metal and does not wash out so it will last MUCH longer than a normal light lubricant. A bottle applied a drop at a time will last a LONG time N.B. Try to avoid hot places and leaving the lid off to minimise evaporation of the light solvent carrier.

Q Where is the lubricant most effective?
A Anywhere a small metal surface has a friction problem N.B. It won't bond to plastic or other non-metal materials. 

Q Does the lubricant work on heavy metal surfaces or surfaces with large loads?
A If you have very large heavy surfaces or surfaces with large loads the Xcelplus engine treatment or grease is a better choice.

Q Where do "you" find the lubricant works best?
A Locks and hinges. Especially locks made from cheap porous metals... which normally need repeated lubrication to keep working. It has an amazing penetrating ability and once in it lubricates and keeps working for very long periods of time (years usually).

Q What is the most unusual application you have found for the lubricant?
A The solenoids, pushrods, plunger and other moving parts on a pinball machine were sticking and required regular lubrication. One treatment with a very small amount of the lubricant solved all the sticking problems and lasted over 2 years.

2-stroke Treatment & Upper cylinder lubricant

Q How much 2-stroke is required to treat a large 2-stroke engine e.g.. A 750cc motorcycle or outboard motor?
A One bottle should be sufficient.

Q Does the 2-Stroke treatment last as long as the Engine treatment?
A No. The temperatures in the combustion chamber can be as high as 1100˚C at the valve seats and this decreases the life of the treatment: Remember to re-treat if new parts are added N.B. Honed or machined parts will lose their coats and must be retreated. The treatment comes in a light base so keep the cap on to prevent evaporation of the solvent.

Q Why is the 2-Stroke treatment also called an "Upper cylinder lubricant"
A Because it can be used in 4-stroke engines as well where it lubricates the upper cylinder.

Q How is the 2 Stroke treatment added?
A Via the petrol

Q Is the 2-Stroke compatible with model aircraft fuel?
A No. The methanol used in model aircraft fuels is polar and the 2-Stroke is non-polar: The product will sediment. Simply drip through the air intake to treat N.B. A small amount (a few drops) is all that is required for small model engines.

Q What is the most unexpected result of treating with 2-Stroke treatment?
A Pinging in single cylinder air cooled 4-stroke motorcycles decreased or disappeared.

N.B. If you have an unusual application and you're not sure please ask us.