Ok guys.... Here is a cheaper and more efficient alternative to Kroil.

50/50 mix of Automatic Transmission Fluid and Acetone. Mix in a jar and screw on lid. When needed shake jar and apply with brush, and treat job as you would with Kroil. The mixture will separate, as most mixtures do, if left sitting long enough. Shake jar before use. It really does work.

APPRIECATION CAN BE EXPRESSED BY DONATIONS OF COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF BEER!


BenBeenBanned@VWVortex said:
Some of you might appreciate this. Machinist's Workshop magazine tested penetrants for break out torque on rusted nuts.

They are below, as forwarded by an ex-student and professional machinist, Bud Baker.

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.

The only reliable test would be on the same nut, but that can't be done, so all results are subjective.

True true..... But worth a go.

Interesting I wonder how just acetone would go....suspect the ATF is the carrier so the acetone doesn't evaporate immediately...

Awesome. If I'm ever in ozzie-land, I'll take you to a bar.

I've had Kroil work where Liquid Wrench didn't.

And at $6 a can for Kroil here in the USA, I dunno about all that much cheaper, either.

i've tried ATF-Acetone mix and it works but the acetone part tears up most paint and some plastic
Kroil doesn't seem to

No dramas...... Most of my bikes are rats so no worries with the paint fryin up.

bigfitz52 wrote:

I've had Kroil work where Liquid Wrench didn't. And at $6 a can for Kroil here in the USA, I dunno about all that much cheaper, either.

especially for the 2for12 deal on the king aerokroil.

but nifty idea if it works and you're out of kroil!

My brother in law uses this mix on the farm with great success. He has been an advocate for kroil for years but believes the home brew is quite a bit better.

i think this is great i'm def gonna give it a shot some time, yeah it will eat paint obviously, acetone. thanks!