Penetrating oils

[86911cab]

I was recently sent an E-mail from a friend and wanted to share it with all.

Machinist's Workshop magazine actually tested penetrating
oils for break out torque on rusted nuts. Significant results!
They are below, as forwarded by an ex-student and

professional machinist

*Don't forget the April 2007 "Machinist's Workshop"
magazine comparison test.*

They arranged a subjective test of all the popular
penetrants with the control being the torque required to remove the nut
from a "scientifically rusted" environment.*

*Penetrating oil ..... Average load*

None ...................... 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
automatic transmission fluid and acetone.



*Note the "home brew" was 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 about as good as "Kroil"

for about 20% of the price.

Your experience may vary, etc., etc.

[James Brown]

this was posted before, but it's good info and worth repeating, Thanks David.

[1990C4S]

And we can expect an 'avoid acetone' lecture any minute now....

[sc_rufctr]

I've been using the ATF-Acetone mix for more than 20 years without a problem.

Just use some common sense and store it properly like any flammable liquid.

I have a steel cupboard outside my garage for combustible fluids only. That means no rags or other junk...
Just tins of paint, oil, thinners, fuel for my mower and my ATF-Acetone mix.
It's lockable and away from the house in a shady spot near the back gate.
I also have a fire extinguishers in appropriate locations.

I got the idea from when I was in the Army. They always had a POL cupboard at the transport yard.

[bxtech]

Interesting. Good stuff to know! I've never heard of the ATF/Acetone mixture, but will now give it a try. Thanks for posting!

[James Brown]

i use acetone all the time and it's in most fingernail polish remover. I use an acetone/MEK mixture inside P-3 fuel tanks to remove sealant. inside a closed space, on your belly, with a couple quarts of that stuff and a putty knife. (air breathing respirator on) works well but way scarry! Result of inhaling these fumes only made me stronger!!!! I think, can't remember.....

[sjf911]

LOL, I was a synthetic organic chemist for years. I used and abused so much acetone it is ridiculous and all without a single incident. Anhydrous diethyl ether on the other hand, is much more dangerous than acetone.
The important thing with any highly volatile hydrocarbon is good ventilation and wide separation from any possible ignition sources. The amount of acetone and resulting vapor density should be insignificant when used as a penetrating solution, on the other hand, with a flash point of -20C an open container at room temperature near an ignition source is a no-no.

[sjf911]

Originally Posted by James Brown

i use acetone all the time and it's in most fingernail polish remover. I use an acetone/MEK mixture inside P-3 fuel tanks to remove sealant. inside a closed space, on your belly, with a couple quarts of that stuff and a putty knife. (air breathing respirator on) works well but way scarry! Result of inhaling these fumes only made me stronger!!!! I think, can't remember.....

Man, I hope those tanks are purged of oxygen while you are working on them. That would be quite an unwanted view of a fuel/air explosion with any accidental ignition source.

[James Brown]

no, purged with air, LEL below .05, vented, O2 around 19% THEN we go in and splash the good stuff all around!! it's the military, plenty of replacements (people and planes)

[James Brown]

On another note, I keep my mix in a squeeze bottle made for acetone, is that ok?

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by James Brown

On another note, I keep my mix in a squeeze bottle made for acetone, is that ok?

That should be fine. Just make sure you have some way of capping the squeeze bottle.
I use small plastic bottles made for soldering flux (250ml/8.5oz). They come with a small cap.
You should be able to find them at Radio Shack in the US.

Anything flammable is stored in my POL cupboard...

[kodioneill]

What is the ratio for the atf/acetone mix?

[Kemo]

curious about the ratio as well...

[Kemo]

never mind...just re-read the post and noticed the 50-50 mix. Thanks for posting

[911pcars]

Anyone try Coke? I mean Coca-Cola? It was one of those, "as seen on TV" things.

Sherwood

[M.D. Holloway]

I put a request into our plant to send out some of our product to those who would like to try it. Expect something in the next week or so. Let me know if you don't get it.

[snbush67]

How about some dihydrogen monoxide ?

[teenerted1]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

Anyone try Coke? I mean Coca-Cola? It was one of those, "as seen on TV" things.

Sherwood

look for the mythbuster episode on this...not very effective.

[Roc Doc]

OT; I 've had the same can of PB Blaster for a couple years now, and only use WD-40 to clean greasy parts.

Slightly OT; Brake Cleaner = Phosgene Article
This is something I've done multiple times and not even known the danger I was putting myself in. I guess I just got lucky. But lesson learned for me, read the MSDS sheets, and use products as intended.

[wildcat077]

Originally Posted by James Brown

i use acetone all the time and it's in most fingernail polish remover. I use an acetone/MEK mixture inside P-3 fuel tanks to remove sealant. inside a closed space, on your belly, with a couple quarts of that stuff and a putty knife. (air breathing respirator on) works well but way scarry! Result of inhaling these fumes only made me stronger!!!! I think, can't remember.....

James,

Are you saying you're lying down on your belly removing PRC with a plastic or Micarta scraper and scotch brite and MEK inside a nice and cozy fuel tank situated in a wing of some sort ... lol

Yep... been there,done it... i hope your tanks are venting while you're in there !
Don't your clothes smell great afterwards,nothing like fresh jet fuel !
Have to agree on MEK being ranked at the top for removing anything,funny thing,i can't remember either

Phil