Of interest : Rust

[mjanderle]

Machinist's Workshop magazine recently published some information on
various penetrating oils that I found very interesting. Some of you
might appreciate this. The magazine reports they tested penetrates for
break out torque on rusted nuts. They are below, as forwarded by an
ex-student and professional machinist. They arranged a subjective test
of all the popular penetrates with the control being the torque required
to remove the nut from a "scientifically rusted" environment.

*Penetrating oils ........... Average torque load to loosen*
No Oil used ................... 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 is a "home brew" mix of 50 - 50 automatic
transmission fluid and acetone. Note this "home brew" released bolts
better than any commercial product in this one particular test. Our
local machinist group mixed up a batch and we all now use it with
equally good results. Note also that "Liquid Wrench" is almost as good
as "Kroil" for about 20% of the price. Steve from Godwin-Singer says
that ATF-Acetone mix is best, but you can also use ATF and lacquer
thinner in a 50-50 mix.

*ATF=Automatic Transmission Fluid

 

[JohnnyC]

I would have never thought liquid wrench would do better than PB

interesting about the 50/50 mix... i got some of that i can mix up

 

[GA Architect]

Being that I'm not a chemist, would the ATF/Acetone mix be harmful to paint or anything else?

 

[Weber Sarge]

Yes , it can ruin unhardened or weak paint - and yes the stuff works excellent . Biggest trick is keeping it sealed well enough not to evaporate the acetone . I use a small plant sprayer but be wary some of them are not compatible with acetone and will deteriorate quickly .
Sarge

 

[cjgoode]

It will likely eat your paint, and Acetone is extremely flammable to the point of almost explosive at a 50% mixture. So be careful, but I bet most of these penetrating oils are flammable.

 

[Weber Sarge]

Almost all penetrating oils are flammable , and yes the acetone mix burns really well and quite hot ...
Sarge

 

[JohnnyC]

we usually use the pb blaster and then heat (torch) for removing bolts... paint doesnt last long with a torch LOL ... kinda like the smell of the PB burning... is it just me?

as long as flame is not close to any of those things its fine... Linseed Oil on the other hand can spontaneous combust is you got some