WallyP

One of the threads recently posted some info on penetrating oil performance. Here is a slight correction to that info...

Machinist's Workshop V20 number 2, April/May 007, page 35
Article: “Testing Penetrating oils”
This reports a test of penetrating oils where they measured the force required to loosen rusty test devices. The details reported here were validated by the original article author. He also added some details on the methods.
You must buy the issue if you want to see how they did the test. The back issue is available for purchase.
The table below extracts the results table The lower the number of pounds the better. Interesting that a simple mix of acetone and power steering fluid (PSF) works the best!

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
PSF-Acetone mix 53 pounds $0.10 (50/50 mix)

Notes from original article author:
1) These are loads required to free the test piece after 8 hours of immersion in penetrating oil. This is probably not representative of a quick squirt just before a wrench is applied.
2) The original article states ATF was used in the DIY mix. It was actually PSF. I corrected the table to reflect this.

© Copyright 8 February 2008, 63Avanti@sterkel.org
Permission to print and post on the internet in this form received from the author
8 February 2008.

WallyP

As a side note - I used the ATF/acetone mix to free a siezed steering cable on my wife's Bullet bass boat - worked a treat, as our UK friends would say!

I used a short section of hose, two clamps and a tire valve to force the mix thru the 16' Morse cable. It took ten minutes at 60 psi to get the first drops thru. Ten minues later, I could move the cable with two fingers.

Mike Frye

Very cool, thanks for the post. This 'recipe' is going to get used very shortly on my car. and my boat, and my daughter's car...

Garth S

Good tip!
I use Kroil, but wish to try the DIY mix: which PSF was used? ( many PS units are filled with ATF - dexron III).

chaadster

Cool. I've never heard of the PSF-acetone trick!

I wonder how they got a consistently rusty test piece? Given the capricious nature of seized bolts, nuts, etc., it seems like it would be difficult to get multiple pieces to have the same kind of hold, or grip. I imagine they just torqued them down to the same spec, eh?

928autobahndreamer

Would nail polish remover be the source of acetone? Or is there a better source? I guess paint thinner would work too. Is there a difference in formulation?

SteveG

You can buy acetone by the quart at Home Depot. You would pay a great premium for any quantity of nail polish remover, fragrance and fashion, you know; unless you run a "Nail" shop in the mall and can get it wholesale. Is there something you want to reveal to us?

AO

I too use Kroil, but am eager to try the PSF-acetone trick. Thanks Wally.

M. Requin

Great info! Thanks.

Ed Scherer

So, will Wally have the wrath of various penetrating oil companies coming down on him now?

... and, thanks, Wally.

Wish I could have tried this (PSF + acetone) out a couple of months ago when I was dealing with multiple stuck fasteners during a trailer hitch install and suspension component replacement on a newly-acquired vehicle. (Ultimately wound up drilling out and sawing off a few fasteners. Pain in the butt.)

hacker-pschorr

Is this a follow up to the "Boom Boom" thread?

AO

No.

hacker-pschorr

Ok, just checking.

dr bob

On the side of my toolbox is a little three-bottle rack with little pump oilers in each slot. Gear oil in one, engine oil in one, ATF in the third. Each pump oilr bottle is vented. So I can add acetone to make it 50-50 mix. Next time I need it, I add acetone to it to make a 50-50 mix. I see the acetone as a way to thin the lubricant part enough to allow it to flow into the threads and voids in the stuck parts. We may find that something paint thinner works as well, and maybe lasts longer to the point where the mix can penetrate further before the solvent flashes off completely. The test method includes extended total immersion of the test parts, something that's way different from our typical spray-and-pull-impatiently use pattern.

WD-40 is loosely based on this principle, by the way-- light solvent carrier (xylene?) for light lubricatng oil. Small amounts of lubricant, and the solvent does the penetrating and 'Water Displacing'.


Good stuff! Thanks for the clarification and the details on the test method, Wally.

JimBob951

Erik, wrong thread, the boom boom follow up was the Screaming under car thread! As for the for ATF/PSF/Enzo-Acetone/Fingernail polish remover, tried it a few weeks ago when Bill posted it. Didn't help my crank bolt, but as Wally said, looks like have to weld a new nut too it!! lol

Jim Bob