Not trying to steal credit, I just wanted to have this handy.
Suggested by John Brown in the old tech tips section.
So you deal with a lot of rusty nuts? Go down to the hardware store and buy some acetone, a quart of Dexron Mercon and a refillable spray bottle. In the spray bottle mix the ATF and acetone in a 1:1 mixture.
Spray away and get your nuts loose!
Independent testing of penetrating oils using a single steel bar with 1/2”x20 nuts torqued to 50 ft/lbs and treated with a 10% salt water solution that was allowed to rust. Listed are the chemicals and required removal torque.
-None ………………… 516 pounds
-WD-40 ……………… 238 pounds
-PB Blaster …………. 214 pounds
-Liquid Wrench ….. 127 pounds
-Kano Kroil ………… 106 pounds
-ATF-Acetone mix….53 pounds
Hot candle wax
Buy a $1 candle (the long skinny kind) light it - let the wax drop on the bolt (it will run inside and onto the threads)
spkorb
New Reader
12/8/13 5:22 p.m.
In reply to 4cylndrfury:
I've not tried this yet, but is there an oil can or spray bottle that does not dissolve in acetone? I'd like to keep this on the shelf.
Any type made with HDPE ...check the bottom of the bottle, the plastic type should be stamped into the plastic.
HDPE bottles are easy to spot, it's that translucent white plastic (opaque if it's thick enough):
I have made this mix myself, several times. It has always failed due to the ATF and the acetone never mixing and almost instantly separating as soon as I stopped shaking the bottle. I am not alone in this
Some have reported success though. So there may be some specific brands of ATF that do mix and stay mixed.
Oil is better than acetone solutions for removing the rusty texture over the bolt and which also give a smooth handling over it...
aldow
New Reader
1/23/14 5:49 p.m.
I have found heating(as in dull red if acet/ox is avail. Propane if part not to big)followed immediately by a cold water shock, works even on taper fits if solutions didn't work on first attempt . Then use solutions to lubricate removal. The shock breaks the bond of the rust or oxidation and has saved damaging many parts automotive and industrial.
I usually use a light oil and naphtha if I'm blending my own, with just enough gear lube to smell it, the sulfur extreme pressure additives keep the nut from galling and breaking off the bolt halfway off.
