I see comments here from time to time about cheap and effective home-brewed penetrating fluid. While automatic transmission fluid and acetone in 1:1 ratio is more effective than WD40 or PB Blaster, there is an even cheaper and easier alternative in vegetable oil:acetone in a 9:1 ratio.
Used fryer oil is fine as the source of vegetable oil. Acetone can be purchased in any paint supply store or home improvement store, or the acetone can be sourced as fingernail polish remover at such places as Dollar Tree or grocery stores. Put the mixture in an oiler can that seals so that acetone does not volatilize out and you can store it. Just agitate it with a few brisk shakes prior to squirting.
reference: https://www.engineeringforchange.org/ho ... ating-oil/ and https://www.engineeringforchange.org/wp ... Report.pdf
Better and way cheaper than commercial penetrating oils....
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farmallmta
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71Fe2O3
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Re: Better and way cheaper than commercial penetrating oils....
Vegetable oil seems a nice alternative to ATF, though ATF is more likely to be found in the garage of home mechanics who read this forum.
This study was aimed at African nations where the authors claim ATF is difficult to get. I don't know about the car market in Africa, but because so many modern vehicles sold worldwide have automatic transmissions and/or power steering, ATF should be available wherever automobiles are sold.
An interesting finding, not followed by the authors of the study, is the effectiveness of 100% acetone. If this is a repeatable finding, why bother with the oil? The authors claim that acetone dissolves rust and the oil lubricates. I thought that the acetone decreased the viscosity of the oil and allowed it to insinuate itself between the rusted parts. Thus, acetone is the penetrant, ATF (or vegetable oil) the lubricant.
Finally, as many here know, WD40 is not a penetrating oil. The authors might have made a more convincing argument if they had taken the time to perform more thorough analyses and compared the acetone concoctions against proven penetrants. Acetone/ATF is pretty well known, so it seems likely that someone has already compared that to common commercial penetrants. Thus, the important comparison is between vegetable oil and ATF as a lubricant.
This study was aimed at African nations where the authors claim ATF is difficult to get. I don't know about the car market in Africa, but because so many modern vehicles sold worldwide have automatic transmissions and/or power steering, ATF should be available wherever automobiles are sold.
An interesting finding, not followed by the authors of the study, is the effectiveness of 100% acetone. If this is a repeatable finding, why bother with the oil? The authors claim that acetone dissolves rust and the oil lubricates. I thought that the acetone decreased the viscosity of the oil and allowed it to insinuate itself between the rusted parts. Thus, acetone is the penetrant, ATF (or vegetable oil) the lubricant.
Finally, as many here know, WD40 is not a penetrating oil. The authors might have made a more convincing argument if they had taken the time to perform more thorough analyses and compared the acetone concoctions against proven penetrants. Acetone/ATF is pretty well known, so it seems likely that someone has already compared that to common commercial penetrants. Thus, the important comparison is between vegetable oil and ATF as a lubricant.
Fred
1970 F100 4WD short bed, 360 engine, very rusty plow and yard truck
1971 F100 2WD long bed, 302 engine, on the road
1968 F100 2WD long bed, 360 engine, stripping for parts
1970 F100 4WD short bed, 360 engine, very rusty plow and yard truck
1971 F100 2WD long bed, 302 engine, on the road
1968 F100 2WD long bed, 360 engine, stripping for parts
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farmallmta
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Not just for impoverished Africans... for us parsimonius Scots-Irish, too
I'm amused at scientists grandstanding for approval based on social awareness and virtue signaling. I'm glad Africans who have little access to automatic transmission fluid will have in vegetable oil a good inexpensive alternative. But I'm even more glad that we cheapskate scots-irish here in the US have the same inexpensive formula available to us. It warms my heart to know I'm no longer having to discard something useful and that yet another penny can be pinched. 
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sargentrs
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Re: Better and way cheaper than commercial penetrating oils....
BobbyFord posted this back in 2009. I had it saved in my "things to know" bookmarks. http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... hp?t=44934
Randy
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
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colnago
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Re: Better and way cheaper than commercial penetrating oils....
You had it bookmarked that BobbyFord is a Scotch-Irish cheapskate?sargentrs wrote:BobbyFord posted this back in 2009. I had it saved in my "things to know" bookmarks. http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... hp?t=44934
Joseph
"Sugar", my 1967 Ford F250 2WD Camper Special, 352FE, Ford iron "T" Intake with 1405 Edelbrock, Duraspark II Ignition, C6 transmission, front disc brake conversion.