What’s the Best Penetrant?
A recent online article provided some information on various penetrating oils. A subjective test of all the popular penetrates with the control being the torque required to remove the nut from a “scientifically rusted” environment resulted in the following numbers.- 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 was a “home brew” mix of 50% – 50% by volume automatic transmission fluid and acetone. It has been said that lacquer thinner may be used as a substitute for acetone.

Engine Pro Technical Committee
with special thanks to Machinist’s Workshop Magazine (www.machinistsworkshop.net) and Bert Hitzing

November, 2015