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Newsletters>
Bring the paper in, Honey
December 13, 2011
Here we go again facing a brand new year in just a couple of weeks from now. It is time ti restock up on your Frantz TP elements for next year. "Honey, can you pick up some TP for me at the grocery store this afternoon?" "Honey, the answer is no, sorry, and here's why."
Back "in the day" all toilet paper was made alike and the only difference was the wrapper showing the manufacturer's name. Some wrappers didn't even have that and were plain-wrap. The dimensions of the roll were established as to each square's length, width, and the diameter of the center cardboard core. Today, that's all history.
No longer can we go to the grocery store and expect a good quality TP for use in our filter. Why? Well, first they are all too soft. What we are looking for is DENSITY of the roll. The paper should be wound on the cardboard core tightly and only single-ply paper will do that. When 2-ply paper is manufactured, the two sheets roll of separate rolls and are combined together as they wrap onto the cardboard making up the roll we expect. They are long rolls and then cut into the proper width. When the sheeting meets each other they trap air just naturally as they roll onto the core. This air is what we con't want. Of course for TP that we expect to use for the traditional purpose softness is desired but not in oil filtration. So, don't use 2-ply paper and don't buy from a grocery store.
Hmm, okay, so where do I get it then? Of course my stock answer is "from ME". Sometimes that is impractical and I understand that. You don't need to purchase the TP from me but please purchase the correct type of paper if you are going to get it elsewhere for good results in your oil filter. Buy it from a janitorial supply company. This is a company that sells to janitors and other large users of TP. You want the cheap stuff; the stuff that you can almost see through; the stuff that you find in gas stations along Route 66 or in factories or warehouses and/or schools. Many businesses use it for economiical reasons. This is great because it is the right DENSITY and often the correct size. "What? What do you mean correct size?"
When I speak of size I am speaking of a roll that will properly fit into the filter canister (can). Most TP measures 4.5" wide and when I say wide I am referring to the length of the cardboard tube inside the roll. If the Frantz canister is 4.5" deep and you insert a TP into it that is 4.5" wide then it fills up the canister to the brim and now the canister cannot be clamped to the filter base because it requires a 1/4" lip to overlap and be clamped. If you squeeze it into the can with the help of that body builder next door you have now just sealed the cardboard tube up inside the canister against the inside of the canister and now you don't get any oil flow. The oil has to flow up and out the cardboard tube to cascade down through the turns of paper in the roll of TP to filter. So paper that measures 4.5" is a no-no. Don't use it. The ideal width of paper is 4.2" wide. Look at the measurements on the wrapper.
The other measurement important is the diameter of the cardboard core. Traditionally, back in the day, the core diameter was always 1.5". Then some years ago a manufacturer got tricky and decided to use some marketing stragety by increasing the cardboard core slightly - just enough to where it is not noticable. By doing this, when the standard 1000 sheets of paper is wound on the larger core the result is an overall larger size roll of TP on the shelf. Consumers are fooled into thinking they are getting more paper for their money. They are not. They are simply getting more air inside a larger core. This is bad for the Frantz filter owners in that now the core does not fit snug over the metal tube of the filter base. Oil can escape down the center of the cardboard without getting filtered properly. What is the answer? Well, some have used multiple "O-rings" around the metal tube, some use other resources. The correct method is to use the Frantz machined sleeve available from ME. This $5 part solves the problem permanently and results in a nice snug fit again. This sleeve slips over the metal tube acting as a shim. It now becomes a permanent part of the filter just as any other part of the filter is permanent. It is a one-time acquisition.
The sleeve comes in two sizes - 1.6" and 1.7". You should order the one matching the size of the core of paper you use. The Frantz "Select" TP Elements I sell use the 1.6" sleeve.
To start you out with your next supply of TP for 2012, I am offering you a 16-Pack of the Frantz "Select" TP for $40. Single rolls are $3 each in smaller quantities if you prefer. I normally sell them in either 4, 8, or 16 at a time but you may have any quantity from 1 to a carton of 96 if you wish.
Each Frantz "Select" TP Element is shrinkwrapped and has the Frantz label for your protection. The reason for the shrinkwrapping is 1) to keep moisture or water out for my boating friends and 2) to keep dust and dirt out if you keep the rolls on a shelf in the garage. Remember, this paper should not come into the home and be confused with the soft stuff we use elsewhere. It makes no sense to have a roll of TP on your shelf collecting dust and then introduce that dust into your engine. We are trying to keep the dust and dirt OUT of your engine so that's why I have it shrinkwrapped for you. Also, the label can be peeled off the shrinkwrapping carefully and applied to your bumper, door, window, or even on your filter. Often I have customers requesting decals or label stickers.
So I recommend you stock up today for 2012 keeping in mind you need to change your TP on gas engines about every 3000 miles and on a diesel engine about every 2500 miles. This is not an exact science but are guides to go by. For stationary engines you will need to convert miles to hours.
My staff and I wish you a wonderful and safe holiday season and we look forward to serving your filtration needs again next year.
Ed Greany, Owner/Distributor
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