Hello gang was getting ready to clean my air filter and was wondering what kind of oil do you lightly coat it in...seen in the manual where you are supposed to do this but it didn't say what kind of oil to use on my AC 500 auto...thanks

Artic Cat 500 auto...The Big Cats needin some air

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You didnt state what kind of filter it was. Im guessing that it is made of foam. First clean it with foam filter cleaner. Dont use gasoline..breaks down the foam. I have used both the spray, and liquid oils for foam filters. I prefer the spray cause its not messy, and you get more consistant coverage of the filter with the spray oil. Both the cleaner and the oils can be found in the back of a Dennis Kirk catalog. Make sure you get the foam oil formula. Bel Ray is pretty good.

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Boomer '99 Wolverine

 

I use Uni spray.

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Harold Wells Raleigh NC 98 Wolverine& 97 Timberwolf Blueribbon Coalition Member

 

Yet another oil is PJ1. They offer both a foam filter cleaner and a foam filter oil in aerosol cans. The cleaner won't attack the foam or the foam glue that holds the filter together. The oil is a super tacky (sticky) oil that clings to the foam and won't drain off like motor oil.

A good practice when cleaning your filter is to spray on the cleaner and let it sit for a minute or so. Then massage the filter to work the cleaner in and move it into areas you missed while spraying. Let it sit another minute or two then rinse. Flush the filter from the inside-out to push the dirt back out of the filter the way it came in. Never wash the filter from the outside because it just pushes the dirt in farther. Also don't use a spray nozzle or any high pressure water as this could damage the filter. Inspect filter for any dirt left and reclean if necessary. Once clean, squeeze out the excess water. DO NOT WRING THE FILTER. Foam filters aren't wash rags. If you wring out a foam filter it will damage the foam and possibly tear. Just squeeze it firmly but do not twist. You can wrap it in paper towels while squeezing to get out the last drops. Next let the filter air dry overnight. No matter how well you squeeze it, the filter will never be fully dry until airdrying overnight. Do not leave a filter in direct sunlight when air drying due to sunlight breaking down the foam element.

Now that you have a clean and dry filter, it's time to oil it. I prefer the spray on oils and I use PJ1 like I mentioned earlier. Hold the can about six inches away from the filter and spray on the oil as evenly as possible. Imagine you're trying to spray paint the filter with the oil. Next grab yourself a plastic grocery bag and put the filter in it. With the filter inside, massage the bag to even the oil on the filter and drive the oil deeper into the foam thickness. The plastic bag keeps your hands clean and keeps more oil on the filter instead of your hands. Take the filter out of the plastic bag. Again let the filter airdry overnight. This lets all the chemcals from the oil evaporate leaving you with a ride ready filter. Now this process takes two days so perhaps you see the need for a couple of extra filters for your quad. Once you have let an oiled filter airdry overnight, you can place it into a ziplock bag for storage until you need it. Don't place it into the ziplock until you've air dried it thouroughly. Phew, my fingers are tired!!

Lightninn

 

I use Belray foam filter oil. It is the nastiest, stickiest oil out there. Unfortunately it only comes in a bottle and it is messy. I ride in the dunes with the airbox off and have never had any sand on the inside of the filter.

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Skene '00 Banshee