Rust Penetrants Test Results

[flatbed51]

This may be old news to some but I thought I would pass it along.
I was in a friend of mine's machine shop the other day, and he hands me the following article to read.
Machinist's Workshop magazine tested penetrants for break out torque on rusted nuts. They arranged a subjected test of all popular penetrants, with the control being the torque required to remove the nut from a "scientifically rusted" enviroment. The results are as follows:

Pentrant........ Torque
None 516 lbs.
WD-40 238 lbs.
PB Blaster 214 lbs.
Liquid Wrench 127 lbs.
Kanp Kroil 106 lbs.
ATF/Acetone 53 lbs.

The ATF/Acetone mix was a home brew of 50% Automatic transmission Fluid and 50% Acetone.

Because Acetone evaporates rapidly, the shelf life of this product may be rather short.

After reading this article, I looked to my friend and asked if he had tried it, and did it work. His response was with a big smile. He said he had never seen anything do such a good job.

I have not tried it myself yet, but I am going to give it a go.

[mbgmike]

cool

[63 & 64 Bowties]

That was mentioned here about a year or so ago. Same article. Same magazine. Here: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=395612
I've been using it ever since.
Works great. Just doesn't smell too great

[dwcsr]

I use this very often but only outside. The fumes are bad in a closed space and can cause you to pass out. Using a torch on a bolt that has been prayed with acetione causes toxic and caustic fumes, not so good for the lungs and eyes.

It will damage paint, plastics and will also ignite with a spark and It will surely soften up the soles of your boots and leave foot prints on the kitchen floor.

It does work very well just be careful when using it.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

It will surely soften up the soles of your boots and leave foot prints on the kitchen floor.

BBOMN when I read that. Another big no no is heating brake parts cleaner that is liquid, a search on line will turn up a guy that has permanent neuro damage after cleaning a part and hitting it with a torch, apparent releases a chemical akin to nerve gas. Be careful guys.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Question for those that have tried the ATF/Acetone mix: How do you apply it?

My first thought is an old fashioned oil squirter. Which seems like it would work fine BUT the acetone would evaporate away in storage, so....do you store it in a close container then transfer it when you want to use it?

The only big surprise to me is that old fashioned Liquid Wrench worked as well as it did.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Question for those that have tried the ATF/Acetone mix: How do you apply it?

My first thought is an old fashioned oil squirter. Which seems like it would work fine BUT the acetone would evaporate away in storage, so....do you store it in a close container then transfer it when you want to use it?

that's exactly how I do it. Old fashioned squirt can.
And, if it's evaporated, I can't tell. The can may not be completely air tight, but it's not open to the atmosphere either.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Bill,

First: A heartfelt thanks for your service, AND I agree with Gandhi's quote. Our moral "progress" doesn't seem to be getting better lately but then again it MAY just be the 24hr newscycle and the insatiability of the millions of news "outlets" that has us thinking so.

Second, after I got to thinking about my post I thought, "What's the big deal? Stick a little piece of masking tape over the squirter tip and pull it off when you use it"

[mr48chev]

Acetone is pretty much the same stuff as your wife/girlfriend's nail polish remover. And that stuff will eat up or damage a lot of things including tile floors.

Which reminds me, there was a reason why I wanted to save that shampoo bottle with the
flip up spout that is almost empty.

[mknittle]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

BBOMN when I read that. Another big no no is heating brake parts cleaner that is liquid, a search on line will turn up a guy that has permanent neuro damage after cleaning a part and hitting it with a torch, apparent releases a chemical akin to nerve gas. Be careful guys.

That was a reaction with argon gas tig welding

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

I use this very often but only outside. The fumes are bad in a closed space and can cause you to pass out. Using a torch on a bolt that has been prayed with acetione causes toxic and caustic fumes, not so good for the lungs and eyes.

It will damage paint, plastics and will also ignite with a spark and It will surely soften up the soles of your boots and leave foot prints on the kitchen floor.

It does work very well just be careful when using it.

did you pass out David?

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Bill,

First: A heartfelt thanks for your service, AND I agree with Gandhi's quote. Our moral "progress" doesn't seem to be getting better lately but then again it MAY just be the 24hr newscycle and the insatiability of the millions of news "outlets" that has us thinking so.

Second, after I got to thinking about my post I thought, "What's the big deal? Stick a little piece of masking tape over the squirter tip and pull it off when you use it"

Thanks Dan

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Which reminds me, there was a reason why I wanted to save that shampoo bottle with the
flip up spout that is almost empty.

Be careful, acetone will melt some plastics.
My Stepdad made handmade guitars and fiddles back in his day. And, I remember him telling me that he used acetone to melt toothbrushes to make the colored dot thingies in the frets of guitars. Sorry if I'm not describing that right, I'm not a musician.

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by mbgmike

did you pass out David?

I did not acutally pass out but lets say it was an unscheduled sit down.