Recently “Machinist Workshop Magazine” did a test on penetrating oils. Using nuts and
bolts that they ‘scientifically rusted’ to a uniform degree by soaking in salt water, they then
tested the break-out torque required to loosen the nuts. They treated the nuts with a variety
of penetrants and measured the torque required to loosen them.
This is what they came up with:
Nothing: 516 lbs
WD-40: 238 lbs;
PB Blaster: 214 lbs;
Liquid Wrench: 127 lbs,
Kano Kroil: 106 lbs
(ATF)/Acetone mix (50/50): 50 lbs.

This last “shop brew” of 50% automatic transmission fluid and 50% acetone appears to beat
out the commercially prepared products costing far more.

 

Huh gotta try this... Im supprized that PB blaster rated so low I like that stuff better than Liquid wrench, but my pop got this stuff called mouse milk from the aviation guys and he swears by it I personaly havent used it yet.

 

how do you squeeze their little ****?

 

Has anybody personally mixed ATF and acetone?

I've seen this same "article" for years, but have always been afraid to try it myself because I figure the article is some ********'s idea of morbid fun and it's going to make some sort of explosive napalm death gas as soon as I shake up the ingredients.

 

I have used this and similar varieties for years. Most of the time I just mix up some motor oil and some kind of solvent like xylene or mineral spirits. I have found that the mixes all seem to work at least as well as the commercially made stuff.

I have also used all of the ones listed above and can agree that out of all the ones made commercially kroil was the best. Expensive but good stuff. Because of this I will continue making my brews and saving the money for other things

 

im gona have to try this

 

Interesting.....

 

I just mixed up some ATF/acetone. Within a few seconds, the mixture separated. I had done a search for Eds Red, a home made firearms bore cleaner. It is more or less about the same type mixture. Guys had separation problems until they put in a bit of kerosene. I put a little paint thinner in mine and it seemed to help the separation. Frequent shaking would also keep the mixture from separating. I used Mobil 1 synthetic ATF. Maybe the synthetic adds to the separation.

 

the best stuff i have found is xylene. seems to blend with any petroleum based product. thins it nicely and doesn't evaporate so fast that it gives it time to work

i imagine paraffin wax dissolved in a solvent would work nicely. once the solvent evaporated it would leave the wax behind to lubricate

check out what Wikipedia has to say about acetone:
"Acetone can also be used in combination with automatic transmission fluid to create an effective penetrating oil. Brake fluid is sometimes used in place of ATF. These mixtures (usually 1:1) can be useful in loosening rusted or stuck bolts."

 

I'll have to try the xylene. I made home made wax oyl, using bees wax & mineral spirits (IIRC). May have been turpentine. It makes a good rust proofer. After the solvednt evaporates, it leaves a durable wax coating. It's a real pain to make. Easier to use Fluid Film.