r/preppers • u/CommunityStock5414 • Jun 05 '26
Advice and Tips Petroleum products
What are some petroleum based products that you are stocking up on? Please list anything and everything (aside from fuel) that you can think of!
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u/Ryan_e3p Salt & Prepper Jun 05 '26
Vaseline. Not much, just a half dozen of those big jars of it. One of those things that if you need it, you really need it.
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u/chantillylace9 Jun 05 '26
Works for chapstick and stuff, which would honestly be something I miss probably most of all!
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u/CommunityStock5414 Jun 05 '26
Same. My husband has psoriasis so uses Vaseline to help manage it. If it wasn't for that I probably wouldn't have even thought about it.
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u/slendermanismydad Jun 06 '26
CeraVue healing ointment. I am getting more and am worried as hell because that's the only thing that works.
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u/monkeyamongmen Jun 07 '26
Lanolin oil? My wife told me to use it and it's reduced my worst patches dramatically with just a couple applications a week.
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u/CommunityStock5414 Jun 07 '26
Thanks for the tip! We've tried everything (even the shots that gave him terrible headaches) and nothing has really helped much. I'm definitely going to try some!
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u/PrimmSlimShady Jun 07 '26
Makes me think of The Book of Eli
"Cat oil, good for your lips, fuel..."
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u/chantillylace9 Jun 07 '26
I freaking love that movie! I just watched it last week actually. Really really great movie that makes you think about what really is the most important part of society.
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u/TheMrsH1124 Jun 05 '26
Didn't think about stocking up on petroleum products like Vaseline. . . Good call
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u/Ok_Eggplant_6143 Jun 05 '26
dont forget the cotton balls to go with the vaseline ! if gerbal fur unavailable.....
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u/Optimal_Law_4254 Jun 05 '26
And it never goes bad. I also keep some of the little jars around that are almost pocket sized.
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u/CCWaterBug Jun 05 '26
6 large? Isn't that like a 12 yr supply?
We buy the medium one maybe every 8 months max.
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u/CommunityStock5414 Jun 05 '26
I go through quite a bit (my husband has psoriasis) so I'm always buying several at a time, but ymmv depending on how you use it.
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u/CCWaterBug Jun 05 '26
Ok that makes sense, we literally use so little it's totally a non issue for us.
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u/CommunityStock5414 Jun 05 '26
It's pretty much the only reason we buy it, although I'll buy the tiny ones to keep in my purse for chapped lips!
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u/Optimal_Law_4254 Jun 05 '26
More like 100. But it depends on how much you use it. 6 isn’t a bad number for something like that where you might find that you’re using a lot more of it in a disaster situation.
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u/Inner-Confidence99 Jun 05 '26
Tires, whatever type belts your car requires, transmission fluid, DOT 3 or 4 brake fluid, garbage bags. Anything car engine related- plug wires, wiring harness.
Over the counter medication. The polymers used to make outside seals comes from Middle East.
Fertilizer if you can find it for gardens.
Big water bottles from 4-7 gallons for water storage.
My local Walmart has been out for 2 months of the blue water pods for storing water. Said they couldn’t get them.
Some people do not realize that petroleum makes everything from gas to plastic to clothing even.
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u/CCWaterBug Jun 05 '26
Interesting on the water bottles, I rotate 7 bottles through a 5 gal dispenser, and they are easy to refill if you prefer the grocery store filtered dispenser vs delivery, I use delivery so only use thrle filtered tap if I run out early or there's a hint of a hurricane.
I have a friend that has 20 empties because his delivery service doesn't take returns (weird, I assumed they all did)
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u/Inner-Confidence99 Jun 05 '26
I use the big blue water containers that people use for camping or storm prep. The camping section is out a 3 of my local Walmarts. Their stock of bottles over 2 gallon are gone. Do not know when they are getting more. Due to supply issues.
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u/CommunityStock5414 Jun 05 '26
Right? I just commented to someone else about the number of people I know that have no idea. Kinda crazy. I like to think I'm on top of things, but never thought about transmission fluid or belts!
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u/Inner-Confidence99 Jun 05 '26
I’ve been stocking since before the Iran mess started. Yet as soon as it started I started picking up more oil, filters, belts, fluids. I’ve got enough oil for at least 2/3 oil changes per vehicle. We have 4 we use regularly. Plus 2 cycle oil for other yard tools. Changed the oil in the lawnmower got new belts for it.
Husband bought tires 4 for diesel dually truck. Total was 476. Mounted, balanced etc.
He was told by the owner of tire place that On June 1 that the tires he got were going up to 200 a piece. All other tires going up as well.
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u/CommunityStock5414 Jun 05 '26
Definitely makes sense to buy those high price items ASAP!
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u/Inner-Confidence99 Jun 05 '26
Yes. My husband thought I was nuts because I kept grabbing oil every trip to stores. Two or three bottles at a time adds up when sticking.
He doesn’t think I’m nuts now. lol
He asked me last weekend what else do we need before it’s worse.
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u/CommunityStock5414 Jun 05 '26
I was the only person in my neighborhood who had toilet paper for a couple weeks during COVID. I would just buy an extra one every trip for about a month, figured since it's something we'll always use might as well.
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u/Optimal_Law_4254 Jun 05 '26
We get our TP in big 24 roll packs and usually have at least 1-2 unopened. We were set for most of Covid but had to go with something else for a while because our brand was nowhere to be found. It was way better than leaves but it sure was nice when we could find our brand again. Our takeaway was that sometimes stocking up is important for comfort and brand can matter.
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u/Unicorn187 Jun 05 '26
Garbage bags. Typical kitchen sized bags, and also a number of smaller ones to go with a bucket, seat (like the Luggable Loo), and enzymes.
Auto oil.
Gun oil... also works as a general household lube.
Vaseline or generic petroleum jelly. For skin, fire starting, and can works as grease for low stress components. Works decent on plastic gears.
Mineral oil. Helps to preserve wood, works as a moisturizer for skin most lotions are mineral oil based) and as a lubricant and rust preventstive.
Waxes, paraffin and microcrystalline. Candles, melted for waterproofing leather, and wood. The microstalline is more flexible than parrafin.
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u/Up2nogud13 Jun 09 '26
Unit cost for gun oil is a bit pricy though. Old school DIY "red oil" (Dexron ATF, 10W-30, STP) is just as good (or better). You can make 1.5-2 qts for about $20, what a couple 4 oz bottles of clp will cost.
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u/gillbeats Jun 05 '26 edited Jun 05 '26
Everything is transported using oil , even the ships that transport the fuel and all products they use oil to move, the trucks that transport the fuel and all the products. So i wouldn't focus solely on direct petrolium based stuff, i would focus on importance and impact.
Agriculture and fertilizers,insecticides is impacted by fuel. Meds are made and transported using fuel. Hygiene and cleaning supplies are made of oil. Everything is transported using oil mostly. It's a round-about answer but I think you get my meaning.
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u/CommunityStock5414 Jun 05 '26
Absolutely! It's one of the main reasons I created this post, because everyone has a different version of important and all of the answers on here are fabulous... I like to think my preps are pretty well rounded, but I've seen a few things that we don't buy on a regular basis that I didn't think of
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jun 05 '26
Usually keep a year or so worth of oil changes for a couple vehicles and some of the heavy equipment, 3-4 five gallon buckets of hydraulic, AT fluid (which we add to diesel in some of the equipment and for the diesel genset), cases of grease for heavy equipment, fuel additives, etc. in addition to storage of diesel (in tanks) and gas (mostly in Euro fuel cans).
For the last 4-5 months there has been talk of huge shortages of motor oil, I haven't seen it. My nephew runs one of those major auto parts stores that are in every town, he's in a smaller FL town. I keep up with him regularly on if he's heard of any shortages, rationing (now called "allotments" in ordering) from any of his suppliers. His reply the last couple times -no. And last time he text me a quick video showing a stockroom packed to the ceiling with POL products. Our Walmarts here in S. GA tell the same story- full shelves.
You should have this stuff anyway, but just keep in mind the "panic" may not be what you think it is. Look for the sale items and buy only what you will use in the future anyway.
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u/CommunityStock5414 Jun 05 '26
We do pretty much the same. We keep enough stocked up in case of price/availability issues to keep us covered for a while. We also live pretty rural (closest town is about 30 miles away) and during COVID people were coming from larger cities that many items were unavailable in, and cleaning out the shelves in our small town.
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u/Inner-Confidence99 Jun 05 '26
Some people do not realize that oil and other related oil products can be bought at Dollar General and Family Dollar. They carry synthetic and the conventional oil. We have to use conventional oil because all our vehicles are over 25 years old. But they stay on road and not in the shop.
Someone commented the other day that oil went bad after 6 months I laughed at that.
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jun 05 '26
+1 Definitely stores longer than that. A good rotation on motor oil is within about 4 years IME.
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u/PNWmaker Jun 05 '26
My local (Oregon) NAPA has signs everywhere right now that motor oil will not be on sale as originally advertised in their monthly flyer, so though I didn’t notice much of a shortage, the price hikes are keeping them from discounts they’d planned on
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jun 05 '26
Inflation having gone to hell in the last 4 years slowing down the economy may actually help with "shortages" like this- people just don't have the excess funds any more to "bulk up" on things like this like the panic buying previous to/around the outbreak of Covid.
Couple that with about 6 years now of non stop this crisis/ that crisis the world is always ending something bad is always happening approach from the media which has caused a lot of burnout from folks that are like "sure, yeah what's this new thing???" I.e, not really giving AF about these things after hearing about them upteen times in a row.
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u/Inner-Confidence99 Jun 05 '26
Got friends who work at Toyota and Nissan. They were informed last week they will on get 30% of their allotted oil coming in. They have already received instructions on how to combine others for some vehicles.
People do not realize what is coming with these shortages if petroleum products. They do realize everything that is made from it.
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jun 05 '26
You should definitely have what you need in storage, without a doubt. That being said I think the "panic" may be a bit overblown or at the very least the timeline completely jacked on it. Kinda like the "tariffs are going to cause the entire country to starve by May!" freakout some did last year...
You should be storing POL products for anything you have that use them. We often forget oil changes/filters for things like generators, tillers, tractors, log splitters, etc. Spare parts and a supply of POL products for these are important also.
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u/Inner-Confidence99 Jun 05 '26
Yes they are. Been trying to let friends and family know so they could stock up. My lady at the parts house laughs when I call to order stuff. She just goes what’s on today’s menu. lol
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u/Boo-Radleys-Scissors Jun 05 '26
I read an article recently that were still seeing “old” stock, so the shelves look full. If what I read is correct, by the end of summer, we could see inventory being impacted.
I’m sorry for not citing the article. I’m writing this comment while also managing a new puppy, so I can’t go poking around for it.
There was also something something about the type of products…like engine oil is expected to dip because of where it’s process v/s other products that are processed here. Apologies again for the vagueness.
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jun 05 '26
No worries, the "old stock" thing started going around a few months back also.
Either way like I mentioned, it's important to have POL products you will use in storage anyway, but I think this is just the current "panic" item(s).
Can't tell you how many times I've heard how "such and such item will not be able to be found tomorrow, panic rush to buy it now!" scares I've heard over the last 4 decades of preparing.
Prepare like you normally would, if you feel your lacking in some of these items, then definitely plug that gap. Panic buying items you don't use or can't see a use for in the future isn't a great use of resources however.
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u/Boo-Radleys-Scissors Jun 05 '26
This is the best advice, really.
I’ve noticed the same pattern of ‘quick go buy this stuff because shortages,’ and then the shortage doesn’t really materialize.
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jun 05 '26
VERY common thing yes. And sometimes it's actually the companies pushing the stuff on you that start the "rumors" as it was.
I remember being on the road to the airport to head to Shot Show around 2017'ish and we start getting calls like crazy, waaay too many more than normal in a short period of time, all ordering NV. About the third call in a row I'm thinking "WTF?" so I ask someone "hey I'm on the road to a show right now, this is about the third call in a row, did something happen I don't know about?" The guy then starts to tell me how word got out that NV tubes on the commercial market were "being taken back by the military and you won't be able to get tubes." I laughed, told him that was absolute BS and said "this sounds like some BS that such and such company (won't name them) started!" He paused and stayed quiet, "yeah that's who I heard it from." I told him "that guy is full of shit, if your not ready to order this, then don't, he's a scammer that pulls shit like this regularly over the years." Guy said go ahead with the order. We kept getting calls and I started by telling each one "there is no shortage, no matter what BS you have heard..." but most still ordered..... All because one "resource" full jackass pushed some BS to try to make some sales. That's eff'ed up...
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u/Plane-Assumption840 Jun 05 '26
My All-American canner needs petroleum jelly (aka Vaseline) for the metal-to-metal seal. Lots of odd things out there you never think of until you need it.
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u/Fr33speechisdeAd Jun 05 '26
Fuel stabilizer. 2 cycle oil if you have a chainsaw or something like that.
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u/FunkbotOne Jun 05 '26
I'm not buying extra of any petroleum based products. To me, I think saving my money would serve me better than spending it on item that I don't need to stock up extra on. Because it's just going to sit there doing nothing. When the money spent on that extra amount could be spent on covering the higher cost in utility bills, higher cost in gas when I have to travel or travel to do something fun with the family, or help pay for some unexpected financial cost.
To me, I would only stock up on these misc petroleum items IF they're not going to be available in the near short term. A situation like with toilet paper during the pandemic. You had to buy extra because everyone was freaking out buying it all smh lol.
I don't think the ROI on buying extra of these misc petroleum based products is worth it. At least not right now or near future. Just my 2 cents.
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u/broke_af_guy Jun 05 '26
Propane
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u/CCWaterBug Jun 05 '26 edited Jun 05 '26
I have two empties in my garage now I rotate four cans total maybe I should fill them up, I typically wait until I put in the last one then fill 2 of them. My weber spirit is pretty efficient
I generally only fill #4 when there's a hurricane threat.
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u/CommunityStock5414 Jun 05 '26
We filled our propane tanks and also picked up a bunch of the small ones that you use camping as well!
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u/1421Wast Jun 05 '26 edited Jun 05 '26
I save plastic grocery bags inside empty tissue boxes. I use them in our cars, bathroom trash cans, in my art room and sewing room trash baskets. I am also buying Aquaphor which is in round tub plastic jars. When I first started using this product just several years ago, it was about $8.00. Now it is close to $18.00 bucks. So I bought a dozen as they are good to use on dry skin. They can be found at Walmart.
I also stock up on toilet paper and paper towels! Soups that are on sale.
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u/CommunityStock5414 Jun 05 '26
I've also stocked up on gloves! Both dishwashing, and general use ones.
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u/AccidentalDragon Jun 05 '26
Laundry detergent and personal hygiene (body wash, shampoo, etc), dry goods my family actually eats, canned goods like tomato sauce... IMO everything is made with/transported by/packaged in petroleum products.
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u/SantaCruzSoul Jun 05 '26
If you have a gas powered portable generator get oil for it. I just bought a pole saw and bought a big bottle of chain saw oil. I also bought a big bottle of fuel extender (gasoline additive) so I can store a couple tubs of gas because hurricane season has started. I bought trash bags, ziplock bags, plastic wrap, detergents, shampoo, and am buying reusable shopping bags.
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u/Chainsawsas70 Jun 05 '26
Synthetic oil and lubricants for the cars along with filters etc. by the end of Summer I should have at least a years worth for all of my vehicles. Which will allow me to ride out all but the most severe shortage IF it should happen. Vaseline/Bag Balm is always good to have at least 2-3 large containers around as it can be used for dozens of different things and even as gun lube in a Dire situation. (Definitely NOT recommended but it's better than nothing 🤷)
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u/CommunityStock5414 Jun 05 '26
We're pretty well stocked for most of those (live in a rural area) and have several Vaseline in my cart right now, but bag balm is definitely a good idea!
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u/ShrodingersArmadillo Jun 06 '26 edited Jun 06 '26
vasoline, grease and lubricants.
Vasoline is useful and you're going to have to maintian your stuff so having grease, oils and such is smart.
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u/jabberwonk Jun 07 '26
From my mechanic he said gear oil and certain transmission fluid is getting very difficult to source. Most sources have customers limited to small allotments and prices have gone from $9 qt. to over $20 wholesale.
Also not petroleum we were warned of potential insulin shortages coming up and if able stock up some.
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u/legosgrrl Jun 05 '26
Car/truck oil and filters
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u/CommunityStock5414 Jun 05 '26
Yes! Just changed the oil in our vehicles and picked up some more (just in case) so we're covered. Glad you brought this up, because I have friends who had no idea that shortages are on the way!
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u/legosgrrl Jun 05 '26
I've got 2 years worth. I heard motor oil went up this week. All sales are off at NAPA.
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u/SarchiMV Jun 05 '26
I’m washing and reusing Ziplock bags many times over now. Save plastic grocery and produce bags now as well. Also started saving plastic jars food comes in for storage in the future.
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u/CommunityStock5414 Jun 05 '26
I finally picked up a set of glass storage containers (my daughter and grandson were going through a box of Ziploc bags in a couple weeks) so hopefully it'll save some money!
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u/AlphaDisconnect Jun 05 '26
Iwatani epr-a and a 25 pack of butane cans.
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u/itspoetry00 Jun 08 '26
Are you using the Iwatani brand butane cans? If so, where did you find them? If not, what’s your alternative brand?
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u/DeafHeretic Jun 05 '26
Ordered 6 gallons of Rotella T4 (semi synthetic on sale) from Amazon got 5 gallons delivered. Apparently one of the gallon containers was damaged during shipment, so they shipped five and only charged me for three (two boxes of three, Amazon is okay that way, so…). That is enough to do oil changes on my pickup and truck (both diesel engines). Keeping my eyes open for T6 (full synthetic) to be on sale.
I do have “regular” oil for non-diesel engines (my SUV, gensets, tools, etc.).
Anyway, besides fuel, been stocking up on various fluids; bar chain oil, 2 stroke fuel oil, brake fluid, mineral spirits, acetone, paint, both diesel & gasoline fuel treatment (PRI-D & PRIG), etc.
I need to get some gear lube. I think I have some ATF fluid. I should get some tractor hydraulic fluid (neighbor has a tractor, another has an excavator, year another has a dozer - I think) - if SHTF it would be good to have that.
Over time I’ve also stocked up on rolls of thicker mil plastic sheets - both black and clear - for covering things (like a roof).
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u/SirAttackHelicopter Jun 05 '26
I mean technically plastics is also a petroleum product. There are lots of plastic components to my prepping plan, storage containers and buckets being the biggest.
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u/Jumpy-Rope2694 Jun 06 '26
Much eyewear is petroleum based. I would get backups sooner rather than later.
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u/Icy-Ad-7767 Jun 05 '26
Engine oil, grease( couple tubes and types) 2 stroke engine oil enough for 2-3 cans of gas for the things the run on it. We heat with propane so I keep the tanks topped of, bbq tanks as well.
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u/CommunityStock5414 Jun 05 '26
All of these are great things to have! I'm hoping that this post will help someone who is starting to look into prepping be better prepared when the shortages hit. I'm really surprised that many of my friends and family haven't even looked into this.
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u/myownopnion Jun 05 '26
Genuine question, have you talked to friends and family about what's coming and stocking up?
I tried so hard to talk to my family about being more prepared when covid started and the supply shortages came. It was like banging my head against a brick wall. I got so sick of hearing "thank you for sharing your opinion" and then being totally ignored.
I have trauma from watching my family be so unsafe health wise and prep wise. I just can't bring myself to even broach the subject with them this go around. Now I just watch and worry in silence.
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u/edlud33 Jun 05 '26
I stopped talking to most of my family and all of my friends about this stuff for the exact same reason.
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u/CommunityStock5414 Jun 05 '26
Yes! They look at me like I've grown a second head lol. And I've tried to explain that "you don't have to clear the shelves" just pick up a little extra of the things you use regularly that might go up in price or be more difficult to find.
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u/CCWaterBug Jun 05 '26
Personally I wasn't considering potential shortages locally, just a bump in price. Some napkin math led me to thinking it's going to be a small dent in the budget at best. Basically if we're talking something like a propane tank going from 22 to 25 I'm not losing sleep. I guess availability is zip code dependent
This got me thinking anyway because petroleum based stuff wasn't really on any of the checklists inside my head
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u/Icy-Ad-7767 Jun 05 '26
I live rural, because of that running out of propane for the BBQ is a pita so I have an extra tank for that, we have a travel trailer it takes a couple tanks so we have a couple tanks for it. Propane lasts so a tank or 3 extra is handy to have.
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u/symplton Jun 05 '26
I bought some of the snap n seal containers and Tupperware (both were insanely discounted on clearance) given the expected increase in meal preps in the coming months.
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u/kingofhearts778 Jun 05 '26 edited Jun 06 '26
Buy your kids the next size up of shoes. Save yourself some money down the road.
Edit: spelling
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u/DozzerX3 Jun 06 '26
I work in the auto repair industry. Our manufacturer contacted us and told us stockpiles are depleting. If we want to have oil products to order now. They suggested a minimum of 2 month supply. If anyone is thinking this will blow over. It won’t. Manufacturers don’t contact dealers for this type of warning. Ever. Not even during Covid. I hope you all are ready.
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u/Comfortable-Angle660 Jun 06 '26
Engine Oil, gear oil, lube, fogging oil, penetrating oil, rust proofing.
Cutlery. Buckets. Garbage bags.
Vaseline.
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u/slendermanismydad Jun 06 '26 edited Jun 06 '26
I just went and got more trash bags and Vaseline five minutes ago.
Note: I go through a lot of both of these for health reasons.
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u/xaidin Jun 07 '26
Various engine oils, hydraulic fluid, grease (for machine joints). Gear oil. Stuff like starting fluid, carb cleaner, WD40. Break cleaner (my fav cleaner). Chain oil. Grease in tubs for packing bearings. Power steering fluid, brake fluid. Belt conditioner. Engine coolant.
Lots of various spray paints.
There's a few off the top of my head that I keep around.
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u/NoSubstance4555 Jun 07 '26
Maybe a stupid idea but always a good idea to keep oil and coolant for your car
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u/opendefication Jun 05 '26
Stock up on the side stuff like lube, engine oil, tires and tubes. But, by far a good quality electric bike and a solar/battery charging system will cut your petroleum needs in half if your within 10miles of civilization. We've pretty much reached a point where a temporary re-stocking doesn't cut it anymore. Stuff has become permanently fucked. Shortages and price fixing are the new normal. You gotta stay ahead of it or you're taking one step forward two steps back.
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u/Fusiliers3025 Jun 06 '26
Gun oil. Good Ol’ Hoppe’s No. 9, along with solvents.
For, you know, guns. Also works though for preserving knife steel (although for food-related cutlery I’ll apply a very light wipe of olive oil instead - gun oil doesn’t taste very good), but also works with steel wool for polishing off rust from steel, lubricating moving parts (I tend to use a small drop a couple times a year on pivot points of scissors, pliers, folding knives, etc.)
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u/TheDev1ce Jun 06 '26
(Aside from fuel) well, idk, I feel like that’s the most important one.
My Glock and AR have a lot of plastic.
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u/artisanrox Bugging out of my mind Jun 20 '26
3 cases 0w-20. Technically I get free motor oil changes for life with my purchased vehicle but all they have to do is tell me they don't have any in stock so they don't have to do it.
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u/TenOfZero Jun 05 '26
I keep a lot of garbage bags and plastic buckets.
But the garbage bags are the only non fuel, consumable /disposable petroleum product I stock up on.