best penetrating spray

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Where do you get Kroil commonly? Auto parts stores, or ??

I don't mind being a mixer.. but rather just grab a can and shoot away...

Dennis

 

[bob15]

Tri-Flow is # 1 for me:

http://www.triflowlubricants.com/Superior_Drip/superior_drip.html

Kroil would be # 2.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Sili-Kroil, if you can find it. It's awesome in a can.

 

[bob15]

Where do you get Kroil commonly? Auto parts stores, or ??

I don't mind being a mixer.. but rather just grab a can and shoot away...

Dennis

Right from the manufacturer.

http://www.kanolabs.com/

 

[JRC3]

What! Liquid Wrench is better than PB Blaster? I never would've guessed that. I've been sold on PB for years but I think it's time to buy some of the Kroil.

I also can't believe I've never heard of the ATF/Acetone mix. This will be nice on those stubborn bolts, but I have a question. Does the acetone not evaporate very quickly because it is mixed in the ATF?

 

[K-Dog]

I have found no reason to use any thing other than PB Blaster.

 

[stikman56]

Wow,45 answers on the best penetrating spray. I'd say there's some opinions here. PB blaster and liquid wrench is what I use. Haven't tried Kroil, so can't say, but from what I have read,opinions overall say it's the top.

 

[Mavawreck]

Little known fact about PB Blaster - it is recognized as the single most repulsive smell imaginable to the female senses. They'd prefer that you dined on raw onions while smoking a cigar after bathing in sun-warmed tuna carcasses to simply walking downwind of a 10 second squirt of PB.

 

[ADSR]

What! Liquid Wrench is better than PB Blaster? I never would've guessed that. I've been sold on PB for years but I think it's time to buy some of the Kroil.

I also can't believe I've never heard of the ATF/Acetone mix. This will be nice on those stubborn bolts, but I have a question. Dose the acetone not evaporate very quickly because it is mixed in the ATF?

You need to mix it in a glass jar with a seal on it. When i need it, i shake the jar and apply the mix with dollar store paint brushes.

I'll never use/buy anything else again.

 

[lilcraigford]

Where do you get Kroil commonly? Auto parts stores, or ??

Dennis

I'd be curious to know this to. I don't think I've ever seen it sold locally in my area.

I've been wanting to try Kroil, but for the reason above I'm still using PB. PB does the job if you give it time to sit. Maybe I'll order some Kroil so I don't find myself picking up a new can of PB because I ran out in the middle of a job.

 

[JRC3]

^
I see Brownells and Midway USA carries Kroil.

You need to mix it in a glass jar with a seal on it. When i need it, i shake the jar and apply the mix with dollar store paint brushes.

Gotchya. HF flux brushes would be good too insted of a paint brush. Especially for those hard to reach places inside frames, cross members or control arms. The cheap flux brushes are good for many things. http://www.harborfreight.com/36-pc-12-in-horsehair-bristle-acid-shop-brushes-61880.html

 

[ADSR]

I'd be curious to know this to. I don't think I've ever seen it sold locally in my area.

I've been wanting to try Kroil, but for the reason above I'm still using PB. PB does the job if you give it time to sit. Maybe I'll order some Kroil so I don't find myself picking up a new can of PB because I ran out in the middle of a job.

The Kroil guys don't want to sell out and let someone be a middle man. You're paying huge bucks to them for it and it's an inconvenience to do so.

 

[warweapon762]

Re: best penaetrating spray

Acetone and ATF 50/50 mix.

THIS RIGHT HERE!!!!!!!!!

 

[Buckgnarly]

Kroil for the really stuck stuff, bulk PB in a Goldenrod squirt can for the soaking/large jobs.

 

[sgtr275]

Re: best penaetrating spray

Pretty sure acetone is absorbed directly from your skin into your bloodstream. I would not recommend it for removing stuck fasteners, as there are safer alternatives. I really want to be able to loosen stuck fasteners but I also want to avoid Chemotherapy so.....

Acetone is not known to be terribly toxic unless you ingest it. It's not classified as a carcinogen.


It will dry out your skin though.

 

[ken w.]

You can buy Kroil on Ebay too. I have been buying it direct from the manufacturer. They have been sending me offers for 2 can and free shipping. Every product they sell is good.

http://www.kanolabs.com/

 

[Shadowdog500]

Here are my 5 favorite penetrating oils.

1) Kroil
2) Kroil
3) Kroil
4) Kroil
5) Kroil

I get it by the gallon directly from Kano Labs.

I use a $9. refillable pressurised spray can from Menards to dispense it.

Chris

 

[SteveCh]

After I tried Kroil a couple yr. ago, I've never bought another can of WD40. I also have a number of the other Kanolabs products, they are stellar. And, contrary to what some say about Kanolabs stuff being a pain to find, I've ordered from them maybe ten times, comes right to the house pronto. They have penetrants mixed with silicone and with graphite and so on. Great stuff. I use something of theirs every couple days. Their stuff is well worth the cost.

 

[leadfoot415]

Little known fact about PB Blaster - it is recognized as the single most repulsive smell imaginable to the female senses. They'd prefer that you dined on raw onions while smoking a cigar after bathing in sun-warmed tuna carcasses to simply walking downwind of a 10 second squirt of PB.

Ford friction modifier is much worse according to my gf... she says pb blaster smells like bananas? lol!

 

[DC73]

Re: best penaetrating spray

Kroil has a pleasant aroma though.

As I read through this thread, I was on board with picking up some Kroil but this comment sealed the deal. I've been using PB Blaster which reeks worse than a freshly mowed wet dog turd on a hot summer day.

I've never seen it on a shelf but haven't really looked for it either. Are there good local sources for Kroil or is this an online product?

DC

 

[lowpro64]

Used all of those. I prefer this over all of them. Kimball Midwest CB III rocks. Had cases shipped to 3 shops and was less expensive than the others.
Zim

 

[blackedout12v]

KROIL , hands down. all three power plants that i have worked for use this stuff exclusively. why, time cost money. this stuff is the quickest acting and most effective AEROSOL rust penetrant available. it has been my experience at home in the garage this stuff is nothing short of amazing. i prefer the silikroil over aerokroil for the added lubricity. both work extremely well as a penetrant.

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

I like to make my own. 50/50 ATF-ACETONE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am a ToolAholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the Toolman wont give me no credit

 

[Engine]

Re: best penaetrating spray

You need more than a respirator when using Kroil. It contains up to 5% Ether.

Here is the formula grandpa use to mix up to clean black powder from rifle bores and use as a penetrating solvent on rusted farm equipment. He would mix this up and pour it into an old 3-in-1 oil metal can.

Equal Parts ...
. Acetone
. K-1 Kerosene
. ATF
. Mineral Spirits

This is also known as "Ed's Red." I use it to clean my shotguns and rifles. It works great for that purpose, but I like the acetone + atf for a penetrating oil.

 

[Olafur]

Penetrating my ***.

I have yet to see any of this work. You soak stuck bolts/nuts in whatever of this stuff and when you finally manage to get them off - the threads are dry. No penetration at all. Even if you wait for days. Just recently I soaked plenty of nuts and bolts from exhaust manifold/turbo from MAN D2066 diesel engine with "forch/förch" penetrating oil. Like always nothing happend - it sat for a week and the treads were dry like the death valley inside the nuts.

Run of the mill ATF works as well as any of this (usually not at all)

I spoke to my friend about this few months ago (he runs a Diesel shop and has done so for 20 years with 12 mechanics in his service) and we agreed about calling this in rough translation: "mental self help oil". I hope you get the meaning..

Snake Oil... Expensive snake Oil.

As for protecting firearms against the elements. At sea and in pouring rain - I just use engine oil or ATF in a rug. Wipe them down before and after each trip and leave them with light oil film. No rust, no problems. When I was starting out hunting I used wd40 on my guns. Junk! Few hours at sea and you see the rust forming right away.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Penetrating my ***.

I think I would have worded that differently.

 

[ZRH`]

Penetrating my ***.

Um... Moving on:

I have yet to see any of this work. You soak stuck bolts/nuts in whatever of this stuff and when you finally manage to get them off - the treads are dry. No penetration at all. Even if you wait for days. Just recently I soaked plenty of nuts and bolts from exhaust manifold/turbo from MAN D2066 diesel engine with "forch/förch" penetrating oil. Like always nothing happend - it sat for a week and the treads were dry like the death valley inside the nuts.

Run of the mill ATF works as well as any of this (usually not at all)

I spoke to my friend about this few months ago (he runs a Diesel shop and has done so for 20 years with 12 mechanics in his service) and we agreed about calling this in rough translation: "mental self help oil". I hope you get the meaning..

Snake Oil... Expensive snake Oil.

It's unlikely to get all the way in, the object is to get just enough oil on some of the threads to lessen the force required to break them free. If it only gets on 3 or 4, you are still providing 'enough' lubrication.

Look up "Effect of Lubrication on Friction and Torque-Tension Relationship in Threaded Fasteners"

 

[Justanoldguy]

Treads = Threads.. I think..

2 different animals.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Little known fact about PB Blaster - it is recognized as the single most repulsive smell imaginable to the female senses. They'd prefer that you dined on raw onions while smoking a cigar after bathing in sun-warmed tuna carcasses to simply walking downwind of a 10 second squirt of PB.

HA! I'll ditto that one.

My wife knows when my son or I have been using PBB in the garage, basement, etc. So as a precaution.. I grab some "smelly" candles to burn while using it, and of course I use is sparing and get rid of the rags in a plastic bag with a little water in it (to prevent spontaneous combustion), as soon as I can.

She can barely go into the basement shop now because of the "machine oil smell (i.e. cutting oil)" on my lathe, mill, etc.. but PB Blaster will always draw the ire of "you've been using that smelly stuff again haven't you....". She doesn't mind the smell of oil based paints and varnish when I use them, but PB and heavy cutting oil (dark / sulfur based)... whew!

Dennis

 

[lakota]

Read that before using any penetrating spray you should lightly hit the metal item to break some of the rust bond. to provide a path for the penetrating spray to do it's job.

Never used the above method but I did buy some Kroil, years ago. It's OK, but it failed me a few times, using it on a car with years of New York State rust on the bolts, even spray bolts for days. Salt welded metal together.

Had a lock on the rear door of my SUV causing problems. Got to the point I couldn't get the key in the lock. I sprayed Kroil and waited , got to were I got key in but it wouldn't turn. Used a rubber mallet to hit the key in the lock, every few days and nothing for a two week period, using more Kroil.

Used for the first time "WD40 specialist rust release" in post # 7 that I got free after rebate and waited a few days. Ready to take lock cylinder to locksmith but tried my key and the locked turned and has worked the last 7 months.

Not sure if the new product did it but I do like the permanent fold back spray straw on it.

link: http://wd40specialist.com/products/penetrating-oil/

 

[kiatech]

90% of the time kroil doesn't even do anything. I don't think most people have the pleasure of working on rust belt / salt soaked vehicles

 

[ZRH`]

Re: best penaetrating spray

As I read through this thread, I was on board with picking up some Kroil but this comment sealed the deal. I've been using PB Blaster which reeks worse than a freshly mowed wet dog turd on a hot summer day.

I've never seen it on a shelf but haven't really looked for it either. Are there good local sources for Kroil or is this an online product?

DC

Um work?

Seriously though, the manufacturer is pretty strict about being the only source. I've only ever seen it in brownells catalog as far as third party suppliers (gun parts dealer).

 

[Olafur]

Treads = Threads.. I think..

2 different animals.

Thanks!

 

[Bighead38]

I use a variety but have had good luck with crc freeze off.

 

[Engine]

The times when I used penetrating oil (not very often), I used Liquid Wrench. I didn't see much effect from using it so I started using the ATF + acetone. It "seems" to work to some extent but it is hard to be sure.

I've heard some people say that the reason it works is because the ATF lubricates the rusted threads and the acetone, being very thin, helps to carry the ATF deeper into the rusted area. I don't know for sure. I always just thought penetrating oils helped dissolve the rust, but apparently I was mistaken about that.

 

[lakota]

Kroil.
Used it to remove bolts on an exhaust heat shield . Sprayed and left on for hours. I made sure the I did spray on the bolts threads. Removed the bolts easy BUT the ends of the bolts were dry with rust. Looks like NO creeping action. Heard you could spray a rusty brake cable on one end and the product would creep the length of the cable.

On the bright side a nice scent to the product as others have mentioned.

 

[dnschmidt]

+1 ^ Kroil is the nuts. There is nothing better and nothing as good. Story over.

 

[Jere]

Acetone and vegetable oil 50\50, then heat. Beats the pb blaster by a mile and and doesn't stink up the garage/car for days like the atf acetone mix. And its by far the cheapest unless you are using used atf.

 

[Bears Fan]

Kroil

 

[Trey T]

Since aerosol spray cans were invented, people still mix stuff today? Sounds like a bunch of frustration using a squeeze can or some sort.

A lot of ppl swear of Kroil brand but to me, it's all anecdotes. When you work on a mechanical project, it's about the method and tool you use, not reall the Kroil, IMO. People that tried Kroil are the ones that have tried WD40 or pb blaster; however, since that time, you gain a better method or have proper tool to bust the nut/bolt off.