Mechanics Tip of the Year!

Contributed by Harold…

Machinist’s Workshop Mag recently published some information on various penetrating oils that I found very interesting. Some of you might appreciate this. The magazine reports they tested penetrating solutions for break-out torque on rusted nuts and bolts. 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. In other words how much do you have to pull on your three foot long pipe wrench before that dang stuck nut breaks free?

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

*** ATF=Automatic Transmission Fluid

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.

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, (this actually works well). Power-steering fluid also works as well as ATF!