Penetrating Oils Compared

[Fred Hart]

Penetrating Oils Compared
Interesting comparison: All old Fergy 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, but it is costly.
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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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[Jeff Z.]

I have some acetone and ATF in the shop. I'll mix up a batch today and start soaking my B steering wheel. I'm going to put on the new steering wheel next week.
Thanks for posting.

 

[Jeff-oh]

There was a lot of discussion on this list on the tractor talk board and how valid the tests really was. i.e how do you determine thal all bolts have sane initial corrosion and are siezed up the same etc.

Jeff

 

[semlin]

i have been using the seafoam spray from napa. subjectively, it seems dramatically better than pb blaster which is what i used to use.

i might try acetone and atf. sounds like nasty stuff though.

 

[phil(va)]

Acetone is extremely flammable. It doesn't just burn, it explodes. That might be one reason to be cautious with this approach.

 

[Lee in Ut]

A new penetrating oil that I have started using is CRC Freeze Off.
I must say I was skeptical when we got some at the shop but after many tests I have to say for removing frozen-rusted, Nuts, Bolts and Brake drums It really does work!!
You have to soak the part in it for a few to let it freeze and break the rust loose, Hit em with a Impact wrench but they rattle loose with out breaking...