Rust buster
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 668
Likes: 21
Rust buster
This is not my info, I am only repeating internet lore but I have tried it and it does work very well.
"Recently "Machinist Workshop Magazine" did a test on penetrating oils using nuts and bolts that they `scientifically rusted' to a uniform degree by soaking in salt water. They then tested the break-out torque required to loosen the nuts. They treated the nuts with a variety of penetrants and measured the torque required to loosen them. This is what they came up with:
Nothing = 516 lbs
WD-40 = 238 lbs
PB Blaster = 214 lbs
Liquid Wrench = 127 lbs
Kano Kroil = 106 lbs
ATF/Acetone mix (50/50) = 50 lbs."
The "shop brew" of 50% automatic transmission fluid and 50% acetone
beat out the commercially prepared products costing far more.
Mix only what you need as it weakens over time.
"Recently "Machinist Workshop Magazine" did a test on penetrating oils using nuts and bolts that they `scientifically rusted' to a uniform degree by soaking in salt water. They then tested the break-out torque required to loosen the nuts. They treated the nuts with a variety of penetrants and measured the torque required to loosen them. This is what they came up with:
Nothing = 516 lbs
WD-40 = 238 lbs
PB Blaster = 214 lbs
Liquid Wrench = 127 lbs
Kano Kroil = 106 lbs
ATF/Acetone mix (50/50) = 50 lbs."
The "shop brew" of 50% automatic transmission fluid and 50% acetone
beat out the commercially prepared products costing far more.
Mix only what you need as it weakens over time.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 668
Likes: 21
I didn't see the post from a few weeks ago but I believe it will work. I have always heard good things about using ATF to loosen engines that have been sitting. Just put a little in the spark plug hole to loosen up the rings so why wouldn't it work on rusty nuts. (Rusty nuts is not a type of VD haha)
Last edited by superdave269; Nov 30, 2012 at 11:06 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 508
Likes: 36
From: Ia
I read the earlier post, and tried it over the holiday. The ATF/Acetone mix works very well. I had the nuts on the steering linkage brake free with very little effort and in some cases once they were broke loose I could spin them off with my fingers. I was surprized how well it worked and that more people don't know about it.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
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From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
I tried this today and the ATF and acetone didn't mix, the acetone floated on top of the ATF. I tried mixing ATF with ethyl acohol and that didn't mix either. Then tried it with reducer for a solvent based paint and that did mix. I suspect it would mix with gasoline too. I don't think an emulsion of acetone/atf will soak in as well as atf and something it does dissolve in as with the acetone the atf isn't thinned out at all, at best if you shake it you have seperate bubbles of acetone and seperate bubbles of unthinned ATF, it won't soak in any better than just ATF by itself and will probably be worse because the acetone being thinner will soak in first and prevent the atf from contacting the area where the acetone is.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 140
From: Kanuckistan
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Worked so well he started bringing ATF back home and used when taking shower.
A couple years later my friend heard the guy died from blood cancer.
So use it at your own risk.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola FL
ATF + Acetone + Kerosene = Ed's Red.
Awesome for cleaning and protecting firearms.
I though about using some on my vette to loosen the seatbelt bolts but then realized I didnt need it because it was bolted onto carpet. The floor pan was gone in that section.
Awesome for cleaning and protecting firearms.
I though about using some on my vette to loosen the seatbelt bolts but then realized I didnt need it because it was bolted onto carpet. The floor pan was gone in that section.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,332
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From: PARADISE
St. Jude Donor '09-'11-'12-'13-'14
You forgot that Ed's Red is 25% mineral spirits too. I've used this mix on guns for 40+ years.. Just don't get it on the wood.
