[SEL] Penetrating oil

[Jim Hardman]

Jim,

Acetone is a solvent used in the formulation of nail polish, nail polish 
remover and many lacquers.  It is totally soluble in water and when mixed 
with other solvents has the ability to soften some paint finishes.  Used 
alone, acetone is used to clean and degrease metal surfaces;  coin 
collectors use acetone to remove fingerprints.

It evaporates very quickly;  short exposure to engine paint, particularly 
paint which has hardened with heat over time, should not be a problem. 
Early auto finishes, lacquer finishes, are more in jeopardy.  But you can 
generally clean engine enamel with a quick wipe with acetone to remove 
greasy film and help promote adhesion of new paint.

Toluene or Xylene would probably be better for cutting dried grease and oil 
film.  For loosening dried and hardened oil residues, acetone would not be 
first choice.  But it apparently acts as a carrier for transmission fluid, 
encouraging and promoting deep penetration.  This application as a rust 
penetrant gets my attention.

I am disappointed that Gibbs penetrant was not included in these tests. 
Gibbs is, to me, the best rust cutter I have tried.  I had soaked parts of a 
steam engine in Kroil and WD-40 for a couple weeks with no progress.  Ten 
miniutes with Gibbs and the rust melted away, the bolts were free with 
minimal torque.

Jim in Vermont.  Where snow is still falling.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim O'Hagan" <jdohagan at comcast.net>
To: "'The SEL email discussion list'" <sel at lists.stationary-engine.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 11:57 AM
Subject: [SEL] Penitrating oil


> George, I just got off the phone with a tranny shop.He says that it 
> doesn't
> make any difference, they are both high detergents. The difference is the
> compatibility with the clutch linings. I'm curious about Acetone and 
> engine
> finishes. What is acetone? Jimmy O'Hagan,415 892 0236
>
>
>
> Jim O'Hagan
>
>
>
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