Penetration....

[Junkman]

What do you use for penetrating oil? I came across this product today in a friends shop, and it seemed to work well. In fact, it seems to work better than anything that I have used in the past. It might even be better than PB Blaster... Anyone ever hear of Max Professional Super Penetrate?????

 

[bmwguru]

I have become a fan of Kroil.

 

[Bull]

Damn, there are so many of these products, most of which I have never heard of.

What did this one do that impressed you, Junk?

 

[goodfellow]

There was an article about a year ago in "Machinist's Workshop" magazine that did an excellent and fair comparison of penetrating lubricants. The best commercial product was Kroil, followed by PB-Blaster.

However, the article also mentioned that steering pump fluid mixed with a small amount of acetone (don't remember the exact ratio) was as effective as Kroil and PB-Blaster.

Maybe someone remembers the exact article and can post the particulars. If not, I'll try to find the info when I get back home this weekend.

 

[Junkman]

Damn, there are so many of these products, most of which I have never heard of.

What did this one do that impressed you, Junk?

Sprayed it on some very rusty bolts, and a few minutes they came off like slicing butter with a warm knife. This mechanic also told me that if you heat the bolt, and give it a spray, when you get the nut off, the threads will still be wet with lubricant.

 

[jay50]

I'm still looking for something a little bit stronger.
I want to be able to spray it on a rusted bolt and come back in 10 minutes and the bolt disappears completely; nothing but a hole when the bolt used to be....

 

[mrsleeve]

I just use PB blaster and the heat wrench

 

[Vicegrip]

Old school. Liquid Wrench and a torch to heat things up.

 

[bgott]

Well, I have had 2 cans of PB floating around for a while and then I found 10 cans of Aerokroil at the flea market for 2 bucks a can, when I've went through all that I'll give the Max a try!

 

[ghostflamed66]

I use kroil.
Here is what i did to sho my son how well it works, he uses pb.
I will take and put a drop of kroil and a drop of pb on my countertop. Then get 2 old 3/8x1 inch bolts and just stand one into each drop of fluid, with threads down.
5 min later the kroil has worked its way up all threads,clear to the bolt head.
The pb only went 1/4 to 1/2 way and never went further.
I still think pb is a good product, but kroil is much faster and will travel further.
Just my 2 cents.
Wes

 

[hot rod 91174]

where can you find kroil at? is their any stores that sell kroil or max?

 

[Tom2]

Yea really...Ive heard enough testimony! Where do I buy this product? How many easy payments?

 

[goodfellow]

It's hard to find in traditional retail stores. I've only seen it in specialty auto parts places.
Best way to get Kroil is from the manufacturer -- Kano Labs.

There is a special "google" offer right now
http://www.kanolabs.com/google/

other than that, Amazon offers Kroil on a consistent basis

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F09CEA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[bluesman2a]

I'm still looking for something a little bit stronger.
I want to be able to spray it on a rusted bolt and come back in 10 minutes and the bolt disappears completely; nothing but a hole when the bolt used to be....

That's not penetrating oil. That's what is commonly referred to in the industry as "acid"

 

[HIRISC]

I'm still looking for something a little bit stronger.
I want to be able to spray it on a rusted bolt and come back in 10 minutes and the bolt disappears completely; nothing but a hole when the bolt used to be....

 

[rickairmedic]

Junk you know I was afraid to open this thread at first . I use Kroil and PB blaster predomintantly. I get my Kroil from a buddy who works for the local utility company most of the time .

Rick

 

[sberry]

I have been using the stuff at Walmart, 1.37 a can. I like Kroil but they cheapen the can. 10$ a can, I use a dozen or more a year, it adds up. We use it some for disassembly like most do but a lot for installation, I never put a bolt in dry.

 

[a3tripod]

In a pinch I've used a little diesel fuel. It penetrates rust much more effectively thatn one might guess. Granted I haven't performed highly sophisticated tests like the one mentioned above (Kroil vs PB), but it works.

 

[porschedude996TT]

I'm still looking for something a little bit stronger.
I want to be able to spray it on a rusted bolt and come back in 10 minutes and the bolt disappears completely; nothing but a hole when the bolt used to be....

I know the product! It is called "Plazma-Torch" brought to you by the same people that make "Dog-****-Be-Gone". Just spray it on and it is gone in minutes.

Sorry, couldn't resist...

 

[sam 8]

Kroil and PB have been my favorites for years. I hav some of each working on a couple of problem bolts on a car in the shop right now.

 

[51pontiac]

I have used Kroil and others but found a local product called Nut Cracker that works extremely well. It stinks and the smell sticks around in the shop for a while but it works very well.

 

[george4]

There was an article about a year ago in "Machinist's Workshop" magazine that did an excellent and fair comparison of penetrating lubricants. The best commercial product was Kroil, followed by PB-Blaster.

However, the article also mentioned that steering pump fluid mixed with a small amount of acetone (don't remember the exact ratio) was as effective as Kroil and PB-Blaster.

Maybe someone remembers the exact article and can post the particulars. If not, I'll try to find the info when I get back home this weekend.

"The April/May 2007 edition of Machinist's Workshop did a test of penetrating oils where they measured the force required to loosen rusty test devices. Buy the issue if you want to see how they did the test. The results reported were interesting. The lower the number of pounds the better. Mighty interesting results for simple acetone and ****** fluid!

Penetrating oil . Average load .. Price per fluid ounce
None ................. 516 pounds .
WD-40 .............. 238 pounds .. $0.25
PB Blaster ......... 214 pounds .. $0.35
Liquid Wrench ... 127 pounds .. $0.21
Kano Kroil ........ 106 pounds .. $0.75
ATF-Acetone mix.. 53 pounds .. $0.10

The ATF-Acetone mix was a 50/50 mix (1 to 1 ratio)."

 

[greenlion]

For really stubborn bolts I use a product called "Plasma" also. Spray it on and the bolt drips out bottom. Wear shirts with sleeves! LOL

 

[Tarheelgarage]

I've been using CRC Freeze-OFF lately. It is advertised as dropping the temperature of the bolt when sprayed.
I like it better that PB Blaster. I haven't seen Kroil in any of the store around here.

 

[goodfellow]

"The April/May 2007 edition of Machinist's Workshop did a test of penetrating oils where they measured the force required to loosen rusty test devices. Buy the issue if you want to see how they did the test. The results reported were interesting. The lower the number of pounds the better. Mighty interesting results for simple acetone and ****** fluid!

Penetrating oil . Average load .. Price per fluid ounce
None ................. 516 pounds .
WD-40 .............. 238 pounds .. $0.25
PB Blaster ......... 214 pounds .. $0.35
Liquid Wrench ... 127 pounds .. $0.21
Kano Kroil ........ 106 pounds .. $0.75
ATF-Acetone mix.. 53 pounds .. $0.10

The ATF-Acetone mix was a 50/50 mix (1 to 1 ratio)."

That's the article -- thank you!! However, there was some confusion. The author said ATF-Acetone mix -- but in reality it was power steering fluid. In fact, the picture in the magazine which displayed all the products actually shows a bottle of power steering fluid -- not ATF.

Not sure if the properties of ATF are much different than power steering fluid -- but the author did make a distinction.

 

[ahaidet]

Power Steering/Acetone mix sounds like the "hot setup".. however application of it could be tricky in hard to reach spots which got me thinking... and I found these...


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=1102

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=65297


I know that there is the sure shot brand but its 4 times the cost..

http://www.sureshotsprayer.com/default.htm

http://www.superkleendirect.com/steelsprayersmodela.aspx



I know this brings up the HF quality question and that whole can of worms..

Do you think there would be any problem spraying the 50/50 mix of acetone and PS fluid out of one of these either brand?? Has anyone used the HF unit with good results for spraying anything?

How about one of those sprayers made for fertilizers and weed killers?

How did they apply it in the original Machinist Workshop article?

 

[Junkman]

I'm still looking for something a little bit stronger.
I want to be able to spray it on a rusted bolt and come back in 10 minutes and the bolt disappears completely; nothing but a hole when the bolt used to be....

Move to New England....... it is called road salt.

 

[Mattlt]

I'll throw my two cents in for ATF / mineral spirits. It's a good cheap mix for soaking stuck cylinders.

Several years ago, there was a product out there called Knocker-Loose. Haven't looked for it lately; not sure if it's still made.

 

[ghlkal]

Great thread.

There is a special "google" offer right now
http://www.kanolabs.com/google/

Thanks for the link ... I think I'll give it a try.

 

[robertearl]

I have always used Aero Kroil. Is that the same thing as Kroil. Orange and white spray can.

Reb

 

[ovilla]

Okay, where do I buy acetone? Is this at Home Depot next to the mineral spirit cans for cleaning brushes?

 

[Mike F]

Okay, where do I buy acetone? Is this at Home Depot next to the mineral spirit cans for cleaning brushes?

You can find it there, or at any drug store/ beauty supply. Nail polish remover is acetone.

 

[Brad54]

Power Steering/Acetone mix sounds like the "hot setup".. however application of it could be tricky in hard to reach spots which got me thinking... and I found these...


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=1102

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=65297


I know that there is the sure shot brand but its 4 times the cost..

http://www.sureshotsprayer.com/default.htm

http://www.superkleendirect.com/steelsprayersmodela.aspx



I know this brings up the HF quality question and that whole can of worms..

Do you think there would be any problem spraying the 50/50 mix of acetone and PS fluid out of one of these either brand?? Has anyone used the HF unit with good results for spraying anything?

How about one of those sprayers made for fertilizers and weed killers?

How did they apply it in the original Machinist Workshop article?

Why not a pump/trigger bottle? The manual spray bottles that you can get WD40 in.

So what's the final decision: ATF/Acetone, or Power Steering Fluid/Acetone? By this summer I will be taking apart a Duster and a '54 Buick, and will surely run across more than a few stubborn nuts and bolts.

-Brad

Oh, and in reference to the headline on this thread: There are two things in life where penetration is of the utmost importance: Welding is the other one.

 

[Junkman]

........................

Oh, and in reference to the headline on this thread: There are two things in life where penetration is of the utmost importance: Welding is the other one.

Both require a lot of heat!!!!!!!!!

 

[nickdup1]

I have been using the stuff at Walmart, 1.37 a can. I like Kroil but they cheapen the can. 10$ a can, I use a dozen or more a year, it adds up. We use it some for disassembly like most do but a lot for installation, I never put a bolt in dry.

I've noticed that too, they do cheapen the can too much, but it's good stuff regardless.

 

[Frank Elson]

I guess I've used more than half a dozen or more different penetrating sprays over the years.
Never found one that didn't work...

 

[ahaidet]

Why not a pump/trigger bottle? The manual spray bottles that you can get WD40 in.

Only problem I might foresee with that is Acetone has an affinity for eating plastic...

I remembered later last night that when I was working at the FSAE machine shop in college we used to put acetone in acetone safe spray bottles...

McMaster carries them and I bet Grainger/MSC do as well.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/115/1679/=kkx93

That link takes you to the squeeze bottle type which I had experience with for acetone and they show acetone safe ones...

If you page forward a little in the catalog they show the spray type... none of those mention acetone safeness though... so I guess use at your own risk...

Could just try the WD40 sprayers if they are cheap enough don't remember how much they cost off hand... but I think I will pick up a few of the Acetone ones myself.

 

[zrxrider]

I like PB but is stinks. Don't use it in the house. Plus its easy to get.

 

[limeranger]

At work we use a product everyone refers to as winter green oil, It comes in glass bottles with a name that is about 6 miles long and no way to pronounce it. It can be put in some types of special plastic, which is what we do. It smells like peppermints but is really not supposed to be breathed in any amount. It works amazing, stilll trying to find out where to buy it though. bolts a 1 inch impact won't move will come of easily with a wrench after a very short soak, couple of minutes.

 

[gofastman]

Royal Purple MaxFilm
best stuff I have ever used! smells the best too, I havent tried Kroil, but I have used everything else mentioned in this thread.
Expencive but worth it, I found it at Oriley's and some NAPA stores.