I've always used motor oil on my filters until yesterday when I used FFT filter oil. Wow. I can't believe how sticky that stuff is. What a mess I was. Because I had never used it before, I didn't order the cleaner. So, a month from now when I re-oil it, is there anything else that will clean the filter? Kerosene? Gas? Soap & water?

 

My experience has been that motor oil is so thin, that it gets sucked right through the filer, leaving it dry and unprotected.

On the other hand, the "super tacky" oils like FFT and PJ1 are way to sticky.

What I settled on is UNI filter oil, which is thicker than motor oil, but not such a mess as the super tacky stuff. I saturate the filter, then squeeze out the excess (don't wring it out), and place it in a plastic bag with some paper towels in the bottom and let it drain down for a couple of days. This prevents it from draining down in your airbox and making a mess.

As for cleaning, I would use kerosene first, followed by some soap.

 

Yeah, I tried to squeeze out the excess but sheesh, It was like honey. Not much came out.

 

Use kerosene or diesel fuel.

I've been really happy with Honda's bio-oil kit. Once you get the original petro oil out and use the bio-oil for the first time, the filter cleans up with warm water and the included soap. No smell, and it really is quick and easy.

You do want to mark the filter box that it has the bio-oil stuff on it (they include a sticker). The bio-oil comes out easily with the soap and water, but I guess if you try to get it out with diesel or gas you end up with a slimy mess.

As far as oiling, for foam filters I prefer to put the filter in a freezer bag and dump in a little oil and mush it around. With a little finesse starting with a little oil and adding as needed it is easy to get the filter fully coated but not sopping or overloaded with oil.