Penetration Oil Evaluation

[ddawg16]

Machinist's Workshop magazine actually tested penetrants for break out torque on rusted nuts. Significant results! They arranged a subjective test of all the popular penetrants with the control being the torque required to remove the nut from a "scientifically rusted" environment.

Penetrating oil ..... Average load
None ..................... 516 pounds
WD-40 .................. 238 pounds
PB Blaster ............. 214 pounds
Liquid Wrench .... 127 pounds
Kano Kroil ............ 106 pounds
ATF-Acetone mix....53 pounds

The ATF-Acetone mix was a "home brew" mix of 50 - 50 automatic transmission fluid and acetone.

 

[Cemoto]

Wow, that was published a long time ago.

I've been using it ever since, but mix it up just before using so the acetone sinks in instead of evaporating.

 

[LandR]

I've been underestimating ATF and acetone. Thought the folks at PB Blaster knew better than us backyard mechanics.

Going to buy some squeeze bottles now...

 

[Zeke]

This comes up often so I made up some acetone/ trans fluid solution and I was not the least bit impressed. The acetone evaporates very quickly so might as well use ATF and paint thinner. I've had good luck with PB Blaster. YMMV.

 

[Gary S]

All I use is the acetone/ATF mix. I keep it in a sealed rechargeable spray can so the acetone never evaporates. It lasts until empty, and refilling is easy and cheap.

 

[Bull]

I dislike the way the ATF and acetone separate in the bottle.

 

[Mike Miller]

I also think the ATF/acetone mixture is not all these studies crack it up to be. PB Blaster or Kroll is what I have had the best luck with. WD 40 is a water displacing compound not a real penetrating oil although it works well as a cutting fluid for aluminum .

 

[nicksnothereman]

Machinist's Workshop magazine actually tested penetrants for break out torque on rusted nuts. Significant results! They arranged a subjective test of all the popular penetrants with the control being the torque required to remove the nut from a "scientifically rusted" environment.

Penetrating oil ..... Average load
None ..................... 516 pounds
WD-40 .................. 238 pounds
PB Blaster ............. 214 pounds
Liquid Wrench .... 127 pounds
Kano Kroil ............ 106 pounds
ATF-Acetone mix....53 pounds

The ATF-Acetone mix was a "home brew" mix of 50 - 50 automatic transmission fluid and acetone.

I think I gotta try that ATF mix. Usually I use pb blaster because it's pretty cheap and readily available. Also, I use heat prior (didn't read article but heat would alter the results). I do have a question though...once you put that atf mix on don't you have to use something to remove it or use threadlocker? I would think that if it "penetrates" that well there might be an issue once you put the fastener back on. Just my ten cents.

I would use it on exhaust (where rust is an almost certainty) but a drivetrain bolt (such as an axle nut)? Nah. I'm paranoid and no threadlocker on that. Also, I've used liquid wrench in the past and don't think it's "better" than pb blaster (enough that I've stayed away from it) did they change the formula?

 

[DAVE VAN]

Kroil is hard to beat. I use it a lot as I work on car washes for a living (lots of rust).

 

[MatBirch]

After reading that long ago, I decided to try it. I didn't have any acetone on hand, so I went with denatured alcohol. It works fantastic also. I keep in a squeeze bottle, and yes it separates, but a quick shake is the least of my worries. The bottle is open on top, so the alcohol evaporates over time and I have to add more. I've never even paid any attention to the ratio. I just get it thinned out and let it work.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

I started using the ATF / Acetone after reading about it on either here or the hamb. Seems to work pretty good. I mixed up about a pint and keep in in an old sealed glass pickle jar. I have not seen the acetone evaporate, and just shake it up before using. I keep a box of cheap cotton swabs over the workbench for use in applying the mix.

 

[J Persons]

Won't the acetone dissolve the plastic squeeze bottles?

 

[ddawg16]

I personally think ATF works pretty well by its self. I use it for drilling....and soaking bolts in after I de-rusted them with vinegar.

 

[bazzateer]

I used to use ATF as a chain lubricant after cleaning my mountain bike (US made you'll be glad to hear!)

 

[kiatech]

Ddawg I know youve seen this posted here at least 10 times

 

[coljar]

I wonder how S'OK penetrating fluid would stack up on that list. It's made by Shamrock Specialties and has been around for 50 years. My dad turned me on to it 40 years ago, but it's kind of hard to find and probably most haven't heard of it. I've never tried the trans/acetone mix, though.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Penetrating oil ..... Average load
None ..................... 516 pounds
WD-40 .................. 238 pounds
PB Blaster ............. 214 pounds
Liquid Wrench .... 127 pounds
Kano Kroil ............ 106 pounds
ATF-Acetone mix....53 pounds

What I find funny about that list is the difference between PB Blaster and WD-40. I've seen people swear off WD-40 yet praise PB Blaster. The one that I find amazing is the Liquid Wrench, I remember picking a can of that up at Dollar General for cheap. I need to see if they still carry it and pick up a few cans when the WD-40 spray bottle can't hit where I want it.

Everyt ime this discussion comes up, I swear to myself that I need to get some more Kroil.

 

[McFarmer]

Anyone else have problems with the PB Blaster applicators leaking ? Mine would siphon out after use, the company sent me a very high quality replacement when I emailed them.

Good service.

 

[nehog]

... WD 40 is a water displacing compound not a real penetrating oil although it works well as a cutting fluid for aluminum .

I've tried most everything for cutting fluids for aluminum, and I've found to date is (used) ATF.

 

[ddawg16]

Ddawg I know youve seen this posted here at least 10 times

Nope....I haven't

 

[garboui]

At one of the shops I used to work at one of the mechanics had sworn by his "secret agent fluid" it was equal parts acetone, atf, and 50wt oil.

 

[SBOhio]

Just tried this out on a 1890's sulkey I disassembled. Mixed up a small amount in a plastic vitamin bottle. Shook as needed and applied with a small paint brush. Left most set over night. All most all nuts came off. Threads appeared dry as the nuts came off. I will try adding a little engine oil. Maybe some cutting oil.

 

[RRmech]

We used CRC by the truckload on the RR.

Low bidder, perhaps??

 

[SBOhio]

We used CRC by the truckload on the RR.

Low bidder, perhaps??

What is CRC?

 

[joebachor]

i use kroil at work and in my own shop at home. you can get it from kanolabs.com directly. the only thing that works better is the "hot wrench". ("hot spanner" for our U.K. brothers)

 

[IndyGarage]

I prefer Kroil, but they need to make it easy to buy.

If you could easily buy it on Amazon or in one of the main line stores, I'd use it a lot, but last time I bought it from Amazon you had to pay about $6 a can for shipping - which added insult to the high price of the stuff in the first place.

I suspect it's very similar to the ATF/Acetone mix, with a bit of pine smell mixed in.

I buy WD40 by the gallon - it's very good for most tasks and about 1/4 the price of the Kroil.

 

[ishiboo]

I personally think ATF works pretty well by its self. I use it for drilling....and soaking bolts in after I de-rusted them with vinegar.

I wonder if the acetone is just to thin the ATF so it flows?