Make your own penetrating oil

[mothership]

Don't know if this has gone around before but I found it interesting

Machinist's Workshop magazine recently published some information on
various penetrating oils. 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.

[tandem54]

Thanks. Good to know, I always like saving money and when I can use a better product to do it, even better!

[redial]

Because the home-made penetrating oil contains acetone, does that mean it evaporates quickly? Or does the ATF hold it together?

What quantities are you making up in one batch (in litres/liters or ounces), and how long does it last, thanks?

[mothership]

It's an article I found and thought it was interesting. If I do make some up it will probably only be about 8 ounces. As for the evaporation factor that's a good question we'll have to see!

[Dogsled]

Is there any bad effects if it gets on the paint. I can see in a machine shop, but spraying around some parts on a car or bike is different. I don't know what acetone can do but I have sprayed PB on a bolt and later found some that ran onto the paint I didn't see. No accusations here, I just don't know anything about acetone.

[mothership]

No you probably don't want to get acetone on your paint!