Penetrating Oils Compared

[Fred Hart]

Penetrating Oils Compared

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Interesting comparison as all old equipment owners use lots of this stuff. Saw this comparison on my motorcycle forum.

I am going to try the home brew, I am a big fan of Kano Kroil and it is costly.

Penetrating Oils Compared

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*
*Note the "home brew" was better than any commercial product in this one particular test. A local machinist group mixed up a batch and all now use it with equally good results. Note also that "Liquid Wrench" is about as good as "Kroil" for about 20% of the price.*
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[Winsurfer76]

I'm a fan of Kroil as well and second the cost, but it's got me out of a few binds. I didn't know about the ATF/acetone mix, but I'll mix up a batch to try it out.

 

[johns48jdb]

does acetone eveporate real fast? what are you going to store it in and then use it out of? i have some of the wd-40 bottles that you refill that i guess would work.

 

[Paul N Texas]

Instead of acetone, I use Berryman B-12. I have an old oil can you turn upside, and push the bottom to squirt the oil. May not be as versatile as a spray can, or pump can, but works real good. Been able to get many old broken bolts out with it after others had given up. I had tried the "ATF" by itself and it did work, but the mixture works much better.

 

[hay]

almost everyone i know including myself use WD-40 as a penetrating oil. and in some circumstances, it is ok, but it's real useage is a water displacer. a drying agent, not a penetrant. i mixed up a small batch of 'homebrew' penetrating oil comprised of kerosene, 30wt. engine oil and a small amount of ATF (for color). works way better than any store bought and much cheaper.

 

[sammy the RED]

(quoted from post at 16:44:54 05/26/09) almost everyone i know including myself use WD-40 as a penetrating oil. and in some circumstances, it is ok, but it's real useage is a water displacer. .........

We like using WD-40 to wash off a nut or bolt that drops in the dirt when doing field repairs. When we need a penetrating oil, we always reach for something else.

 

[Blindhawg]

How about MMO and acetone? Thinner the better I suspect?

 

[Anonymous-0]

9N with loader used without service for 20 yrs before I got him. The front pump drive was corroded solid. Used all mentioned, finally used air hammer (gently) with small hammer on extension rod. Removed some crap to allow small propane torch tip, not too much heat, and applied a candle to it. Capillary principle took the hot candle wax and it moved enough to rock it back and forth 10 degrees,allowing more application. All is rebuilt now and 100% with no damage working well.