Star Brite TC-W3

[Cricket Too]

Anybody have any experience or know anything good or bad or have any kind of insight on the Star Brite TC-W3?

I've heard that they make West Marine Brand TC-W3, but not sure if that's true.

Star Brite's been around a while and I've used their products for years, but just recently have seen the TC-W3 they make, and the only thing I've read on it was their pamphlet that was next to the cases of it in the store.

Searched around the internet and on here a bit and can't find much info on it. Is this a relatively new product for Star Brite?

 

[robert graham]

Re: Star Brite TC-W3

I've always associated Star Brite with additives and other maintenance chemicals/items, but not familiar with their TC-W3 Marine Oil...maybe something new?...

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Star Brite TC-W3

They wouldn't be making any body's oil, big oil companies do that, they may repackege and resell oil under their name though.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Star Brite TC-W3

TC-W3 is TC-W3 regardless of whose name is on the label.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Star Brite TC-W3

Well yeah I didn't think they actually started refining oil, BRP isn't an oil company and neither is Merc but both have oils out, in fact almost oil companies that put out oil aren't oil companies, just wanted to see if anybody had any experience with the Star Brite branded oil.

I don't believe all TC-W3 is the same, I've run Lubrimatic and Super Tech before and they smell like ammonia and my exhaust smells like diesel.....crap oils, in my opinion.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Star Brite TC-W3

I think what he means is that if it meets the TC-W3 spec that's enough, and while they're not actually the same, it doesn't make much of a difference.

I think it can make a difference, possibly a big one, but there is no way to know.

 

[F_R]

Re: Star Brite TC-W3

TC-W3 is not a formula for what's in the oil. It is a standard that must be met when the maker supplies a sample for testing. If it passes the test, it gets certified. NMMA is the testing authority.

BTW, double-talk like "For use where TC-W3 is specified" does not mean it passed the test. It must be certified and have the NMMA logo on the label.

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: Star Brite TC-W3

Many oils, gasoline, and and other products will pass the standards test. Many times the standards have a range. Cheaper products come in at the lower end of the range. Example; in the dairy industry every thing equates the the content of the milk fat. 2% packaged in the low end of the allowed range is generally sold as the generic store brand (cost less) and the taste is different. 2% with a brand name (usually the dairy) is packaged with a higher milk fat but still in the range and you can tell the taste difference. Many of the extras you pay for in the chemical area are for enhancement additives. Unfortunately the additives are seldom listed on the product.

X2 on the double talk issue FR stated above.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Star Brite TC-W3

I bought some Star Brite Full Synthetic TCW-III 2 Cycle oil at West Marine. It was $40/Gal. Whereas it performed fine in my motor, at that price, I will likely stop using it.

BTW - I think the Star Bright name is a West Marine Standard Oil.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Star Brite TC-W3

TC-W3 is TC-W3 regardless of whose name is on the label.

Yes, Please!!!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Star Brite TC-W3

I don't believe all TC-W3 is the same, I've run Lubrimatic and Super Tech before and they smell like ammonia and my exhaust smells like diesel.....crap oils, in my opinion.

What is a good oil supposed to smell like?

I'm not saying these are good or bad oils, because there is no easy way to tell, but odor alone would be a tough one to base it on. That is unless you know 2 cylce oil chemistry and could identify certain ingredients and the amount in solution just by the smell.

There are oils I won't use because of the odor, but I have no clue if they high are quality products based on that, they may be great, I just don't like the odor.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Star Brite TC-W3

I bought some Star Brite Full Synthetic TCW-III 2 Cycle oil at West Marine. It was $40/Gal. Whereas it performed fine in my motor, at that price, I will likely stop using it.

BTW - I think the Star Bright name is a West Marine Standard Oil.

$40/Gallon!...Wow, and I thought my 100% Pennzoil was high at $28/gallon....at some point the price/reward ratio gets out of whack!

 

[boater1234]

Re: Star Brite TC-W3

Just to chime in super tech oil was a rebag of pennzoil back in the day.I work a walmart so i know this.I am not sure who makes it today or i should say who's the company that labels it.I have used super tech for man over 10yrs with great results and i promise you one thing it's not junk oil,star brite i have no clue.I use 100%full synstetic pennzoil i picked up like the last 20 gallons i could find at walmart because they don't carry it anymore.

Also i run a brand new 15hp 2stroke yamaha that uses like 16oz of oil for 6gallons at a 100:1 ratio,so it's rather cheap for me and 20gallons will last me close to a lifetime.If you read super techs label whether it's all 100%true who knows,it says exceeds standards on the bottle.Most say meets or exceeds standards.I just used 2 quarts to break in my 15hp 2stroke yamaha and it smoked like no tomorrow with the double oil,then i went to the 100:1 ratio and it was almost smoke free(super tech).I use both 100% synthetic pennzoil and super tech and the main difference is the pennzoil burns better,almost no smoke to no smoke sometimes,biodegradable for the epa=cleaner water,plus from what i have read no deposits are formed with it,lubricates better imo.When i'm done with the little super tech i have left i'm gonna switch over for good to pennzoil.


I tend to go with all synthetics even if i owned a 4stroke outboard,which i will down the line.Yamaha came out with a really nice full synthetic oil for 4stroke outboards,at $11 a quart i will get it because i only will need one quart a yr on my new 20hp 4stroke i'm gonna get.(sorry to get off the subject)As stated though any tcw 3 oil is fine as long as it's certified.If you don't want to pay the big prices for the full synthetic i would go with super tech at $12 a gallon instead of a product not well known to you.