OT - Penetrating Oil

**ISIT_RUSTY** · 01-13-2010, 07:56 PM

In a thread in the antique machinery forum, there was a discussion what to use to free up a part. Southbendmodel34 had mentioned a study in Machinist Workshop stating that Automatic transmission fluid and Acetone mixed was the best.
I just received a newsletter today from Tim Carter mentioning the same study. He had included the results of the test, which I thought interesting.

A study done by Machinist's Workshop magazine in their April 2007 issue looked at different penetrating oils to see which one did the best job of removing a rusted bolt by measuring the pounds of torque required to loosen the bolt once treated. If the study was scientifically accurate, it turns out a home brew works best!
Here's the summary of the test results:

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

**hickstick_10** · 01-13-2010, 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by ISIT_RUSTY

In a thread in the antique machinery forum, there was a discussion what to use to free up a part. Southbendmodel34 had mentioned a study in Machinist Workshop stating that Automatic transmission fluid and Acetone mixed was the best.
I just received a newsletter today from Tim Carter mentioning the same study. He had included the results of the test, which I thought interesting.

A study done by Machinist's Workshop magazine in their April 2007 issue looked at different penetrating oils to see which one did the best job of removing a rusted bolt by measuring the pounds of torque required to loosen the bolt once treated. If the study was scientifically accurate, it turns out a home brew works best!
Here's the summary of the test results:

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

I notice kerosene isn't on there, which is a shame since its always worked god for me.

**wrenchhead531** · 01-13-2010, 08:10 PM

what ATF and what ratio? How do you store acetone in a convenient container where you are not sniffing it all day in the shop and it just evaps out changing your ratio?

**Mike C.** · 01-13-2010, 08:12 PM

Two stroke oil is pretty amazing, too.

**The real Leigh** · 01-13-2010, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by ISIT_RUSTY

Here's the summary of the test results:

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

That's very interesting.

I had always heard that Kroil is the best "product" available, and the results appear to confirm that. ATF + acetone is not a "product" that I know of.

Thanks for the info.

- Leigh

**Mud** · 01-13-2010, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by wrenchhead531

what ATF and what ratio? How do you store acetone in a convenient container where you are not sniffing it all day in the shop and it just evaps out changing your ratio?

I mixed the two 50/50 in a plastic squeeze bottle applicator from a beauty supply store. The bottle was translucent and I noticed that the ATF settled to the bottom and the acetone floated to the top pretty quickly. When I shook it up they mixed but you could see that it was not homogenous. No evaporation I could see from the small applicator tip.

I can't report on it's efficacy. I'm using it on a mounting pin rusted in a pair of hydraulic cylinders. 1 month so far, and it's still stuck. I started with Kroil, so far neither has worked. Looks like it's going to need the torch.

**tdmidget** · 01-13-2010, 08:34 PM

The so called study did not involve threaded fasteners as I recall. I believe, and correct me if I'm wrong, but it was a press fit. If this witches brew is so good why isn't it in those cans labeled "Kroil" , "PB Blaster", and "WD 40"?

**The real Leigh** · 01-13-2010, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by tdmidget

The so called study did not involve threaded fasteners as I recall. I believe, and correct me if I'm wrong, but it was a press fit.

The OP said:

Originally Posted by ISIT_RUSTY

...the best job of removing a rusted bolt by measuring the pounds of torque required to loosen the bolt...

That appears to contradict your statement.

I've not read the referenced article, so I have no personal knowledge of it.

- Leigh

**CalG** · 01-13-2010, 08:58 PM

how do you know it is not?

Actually

According to the MSDS for Kroil:
1.) Crude oil (Petroleum Base Oil )
2.) Naptha
3.) Mineral Spirits (Aliphatic Petroleum Distillate)

**usmachine** · 01-13-2010, 09:15 PM

Kroil rules !

**wrenchhead531** · 01-13-2010, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by usmachine

Kroil rules !

agreed

I also use PB

**tdmidget** · 01-13-2010, 09:29 PM

http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/sho...g+acetone+test
Post number 35

**RC99** · 01-13-2010, 09:33 PM

I find the oxy works best..

**wrenchhead531** · 01-13-2010, 09:36 PM

blue wrench is always an option

**Don_Hartman** · 01-13-2010, 09:48 PM

I have had great luck with KROIL on old tractor implement bolts and such. You know the attachments that never get covered up

Besides I love that Shop-ley smell of KROIL. It'S also alot cheaper than POLO after shave

Still stings the same though.

Don

**PixMan** · 01-13-2010, 09:59 PM

I use both Kroil and PB Blaster, but after seeing that report I think I'll just stick with Kroil once the spray can of PB Blaster is gone.

I lucked out with the 1 gallon (US) can of Kroil I got. I had bought a hand-built tool kart (a nearly 300-pound beast with 8" urethane-covered cast wheels and 3/8" thick welded-on top) at an auction of equipment from the closed Warner Swasey/Norton grinder facility in Worcester MA many years ago. Inside one of the compartments was this nearly-full can of Kroil I was told be a friend that is was especially good and somewhat hard-to-find, so I've used it sparingly for years now.

Where's a good source to replenish it?

**usmachine** · 01-13-2010, 10:19 PM

I buy mine right from the Mfg., Kano Labs in Tennessee. Once you buy a little they will send you deal after deal to get you to buy more

I bought a couple gallons and a case of spray cans last year and use it liberally as needed. It's not cheap but it sure does work

As far as the after shave thing goes I only use it for that when I want to keep SWMBO out of the shop

**SteveF** · 01-14-2010, 03:53 AM

Originally Posted by ISIT_RUSTY

If the study was scientifically accurate, it turns out a home brew works best!

Unfortunately, if you read the article, it wasn't scientifically valid and the author pointed that out.

Steve.

**i_r_machinist** · 01-14-2010, 05:05 AM

IMPO,
Kroil is the superior penatrant, but is by far lacking in the ability to help pick up chicks at the tractor pull like a liberal splash of wd40.
i_r_machinist

**knudsen** · 01-14-2010, 05:24 AM

Kroil is the rats ass. It's probably about the same as the thinned out ATF, but using kerosene. Hard to get acetone/ATF into an aerosol. Nice to know about the ATF and other home remedies in case of a Kroil shortage.

I didn't see the article, but unless they rusted many, many fasteners in a controlled environment and averaged the results, it probably wasn't very scientific. There must be a huge % of variance considering rust, humidity, bolt tolerances, temperature, application of product, time to penetrate, etc.

Originally Posted by i_r_machinist

IMPO,
Kroil is the superior penatrant, but is by far lacking in the ability to help pick up chicks at the tractor pull like a liberal splash of wd40.
i_r_machinist

Now that would really be tough to prove scientifically. Based on my experience with WD40, they were probably loose to begin with