Penetrating Oil
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Site Sponsor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 6,469
Likes: 13
From: Ball Ground, GA
Penetrating Oil
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Site Sponsor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 6,469
Likes: 13
From: Ball Ground, GA
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.
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.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 4
From: ann arbor, MI
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?
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?
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,562
Likes: 114
From: New York
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?
Trending Topics
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
Porsche's Top 5 Most Questionable Naming Decisions
Verdad Gallardo
Pogea Racing's 964 Porsche 911 Reimagination Stands Out in a Crowded Field
Verdad Gallardo
6 Convertible Top MYTHS Most People Don't Understand!
Michael S. Palmer
2026 Porsche 911 Club Coupe is Spectacular, And Everything Wrong with the Porsche Market
Joe Kucinski
Talos Takes Your 991 Porsche 911 GT3 to the Next Level for a Cool $1.13 Million
Verdad Gallardo
9 Vehicles Porsche Helped Engineer that Aren't Porsches
Verdad Gallardo
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand
Verdad Gallardo
I've Written 500 Rennlist Articles: Here's How Porsche Has Changed Along the Way
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Unnecessary Porsches Ever Built (And Why We Love Them)
Verdad Gallardo
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,333
Likes: 117
From: Shawnee, KS, USA
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.)
... 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.)
Chronic Tool Dropper
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 20,506
Likes: 566
From: Bend, Oregon
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.
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.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 443
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Bay
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
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