I don't have any of that nifty air filter spray. What else can I use to clean it. It's nasty! I don't have any of the oil either...can I just put a dry filter in without oiling it up?

How long does it take to dry?

 

Air filter cleaning 101.
You'll need 3 x 5 litre buckets and 5 litres of Turps. Some good quality filter oil.

 

The dry filter is a NONO. What are you thinking. Spray filter oil is not the way to go for dirt bikes. Just buy a litre of the regular filter oil. I use Motul. Seems to last a while.

 

After cleaning the air filter, either by rinsing or soapy water. Use clean or used motor oil to re-oil the filter. I use used oil since I always seem to have about 5gals on hand. Gentle sqeeze out excessive oil and re-install the air filter.

 

This isn't permanent...I plan on getting a new filter anyway. I've got some Motul 3100 and Motul 5100 regular and synthetic blend around. Will either one work?

 

Buy some of this. It will last you too.

The engine oil doesn't go tacky like the correct filter oil.

 

True, but I'm not always riding in dusty conditions. Mostly pavement or river beds.

 

I see where you're comin' from. The most important thing is to make sure the filter is entirely covered in oil, not just on the outside. Using the filter spray that was mentioned earlier can't guarantee this (it's really designed for road bikes.) Although fancy oil is no substitute for poor maintenance. The key is regular maintenance.

 

I bought some spray oil. I don't think I can return it. If I just spray a lot on and really get it in there it'll probably be ok, right?

 

Yes- if you follow the directions, you should be fine. I use PJ1 spray. The instructions that came with the UNI filter actually recommended coating the whole filter inside and out, massaging it in to the foam and them patting off the excess on the surface with a paper towel. Repeat that process one more time and you're done. The spray oil I use is red-tinted so it's easy to see you've covered everything.

If you have surgical gloves, that's a bonus. I was too lazy to go to my mountain bike tools and get mine and wound up having to wash my hands for 10 minutes to get the oil off.