Acetone/ATF Mix

[FMC1959]

The threads on what are the best penetrating oils, usually Kroil and homemade mix of 50/50 acetone and ATF get the most votes.

Some questions for those that use it, ATF Dexron, Type F, G or any other kind, just go for the cheapest one or does the type make a difference?

The acetone, I know there is nail polish remover, and available at hardware stores or other places in different concentrations. Any particular concentration you would recommend?

Last thing, acetone being that it is a solvent, if kept in old style oil pump cans (Golden Rod, Eagle...etc), would it harm the pump or any other part of it? I have some nice old ones I want to keep in use, but not if this would harm them in any way.

 

[Finky198]

Our shop mix is off the shelf (Lowes or HD ) acetone 40% and valvoline ATF synthetic 60%

I prefer it slightly thicker then 50/50 so it doesn't drip or run as much.

 

[dwasifar]

I used to use a backyard mix called Ed's Red for gun cleaning. Equal parts Dexron, acetone, mineral spirits, and kerosene. Worked well, but stinky as hell, as you might imagine.

 

[Eslader]

Without knowing what kind of seals the pumps you have use, I wouldn't trust any solvents in them.

 

[nczo6]

I just use the cheapest acetone and atf I can find and put it into a Gatorade bottle with the orange twist cap.

 

[4Kings]

I use these

https://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of-3-8-oz-storage-bottles-with-twist-caps-66170.html

 

[FMC1959]

Thanks for the responses. I have plastic bottles and other cheap dispensers. I would have liked to use these vintage oilers to keep them in use, and because I like them.

I'll probably use other oils & lubricants in the vintage oilers and not take any chances

 

[mbshop]

The mix doesnt store well. Even in a glass jar the acetone evaporated or broke down. Unless you use it daily, I would just mix small batches as you need it.

 

[KnurledNut]

Pipe clear cleaner is largely acetone, and the container is solvent safe.
So I use an empty one to store my 50/50.
The lid brush makes application a breeze, with minimal waste.

 

[Farmall 1066]

I use atf/acetone a lot, and use the refillable aerosol cans from Menards. Used them several years no with no complaints.
Just shake before using.

 

[WittHay]

Have you tried Lloyds Moovit. It Canadian made from a company in Peterborough, Ontario.

I have been using it for years and it works good. Salt air and lots of rain=lots of rusty bolts

 

[Corndoggeh]

I use an oil can for my 50/50 mix and just seal the can in a gallon bag to keep the acetone from evaporating. So far no noticeable changes in the plastic or loss of acetone after 8 months after making the mix.

 

[mikegt4]

I use Ford ATF (because it was what I had) and acetone in a 50/50 mix in a metal one gallon can like the acetone comes in. Shake well before pouring into an old oil squirt can that was my Dads. Shake every time before pouring out of the gallon can to remix the components. I mixed a gallon about 5 years ago and still have 1/2 half of it left in the can.

 

[mudflap]

Have you tried Lloyds Moovit. It Canadian made from a company in Peterborough, Ontario.

I have been using it for years and it works good. Salt air and lots of rain=lots of rusty bolts

I havnt tried that...but i know good old PB Blaster works better than any of the voo-do mixtures..or secret family recipies ...But i still have a couple old timers in my shop that insist on wasting a bunch of time perfecting their formula....

 

[Socket Pounder]

You can mix xylol or xylene with the acetone to slow evaporation.

 

[jubilee]

My uncle,who worked in maintenance in a gasoline refinery, put me onto the 50/50 atf/ acetone penetrating fluid ( he called it "panther piss") when I was a teenager. I've used it every since. I'm not going to give my age, but I remember eating honey on my breakfast cereal due to sugar rationing during wwll. I've never had an evaporation problem with the mixture.

 

[FMC1959]

My uncle,who worked in maintenance in a gasoline refinery, put me onto the 50/50 atf/ acetone penetrating fluid ( he called it "panther piss") when I was a teenager. I've used it every since. I'm not going to give my age, but I remember eating honey on my breakfast cereal due to sugar rationing during wwll. I've never had an evaporation problem with the mixture.

Some people have evaporation problems, and others such as yourself do not. One mentioned even in a sealed jar it evaporated.

Just wondering if either the type or concentration of acetone (I have seen 99%, 70%, 50% and there may be other concentrations), or some ATF's mix better with the acetone....or just simply a nicely sealed container takes care of any evaporation?

 

[wayne55]

I could never prevent it from evaporating within a few months.

 

[Finky198]

Your either making to much at a time. or not using it fast enough.

 

[earlthegoat2]

That old and often posted supposed test of penetrants that more or less solidified the lore of the ATF/acetone mixture also mentioned Liquid Wrench as being nearly as good as Kroil at a fraction of the price.

I wonder why no one praises Liquid wrench to the same degree they praise Kroil or ATF/acetone?

Personally and in my own little world, they all work the same, that is to say, none of them work good enough for my liking. I hardly use penetrants anymore and don't really miss them much.

 

[eurovw]

That old and often posted supposed test of penetrants that more or less solidified the lore of the ATF/acetone mixture also mentioned Liquid Wrench as being nearly as good as Kroil at a fraction of the price.

I wonder why no one praises Liquid wrench to the same degree they praise Kroil or ATF/acetone?

Personally and in my own little world, they all work the same, that is to say, none of them work good enough for my liking. I hardly use penetrants anymore and don't really miss them much.

Sums up my experience perfectly.

 

[MikeF2316]

Sums up my experience perfectly.

I find they help, but only when you get the fastener moving. If it's rusted solid, the penetrant doesn't get in there. But if you can get it moving the tiniest bit, then you can work it back and forth, then the penetrant does help.

When it's rusted solid, then only heat seems to help.

 

[SweetD]

I find they help, but only when you get the fastener moving. If it's rusted solid, the penetrant doesn't get in there. But if you can get it moving the tiniest bit, then you can work it back and forth, then the penetrant does help.

When it's rusted solid, then only heat seems to help.

I agree with this, based on my experience with working on dissimilar metals that have corroded together in a saltwater environment.

 

[crab]

If you can soak it down a day or 2 before you work on it that helps a lot.

 

[skruft]

Sometimes they work and sometimes not. I have a project of cleaning up four locks on which I can't apply heat. All have freed up with various penetrants but the keys will not come out of two.