Penetrating Fluid Nov 2018 Test: Which Brand Wins?
In our Nov 2018 test we compared 3 penetrating fluid options head to head. SeaFoam Deep Creep came out on top. See the measured results, the runner-up, the budget pick, and a link to the full test video.
Some figures on this page were transcribed from the test video and have not been independently re-verified. Treat the numbers as a close guide and watch the full video for the exact readings.
SeaFoam Deep Creep
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The quick take
The short version of why each pick lands where it does, built straight from the measured results.
“What did work was applying the penetrating fluid to the rusty nut and bolt”
The measured results
Every number below is read straight from the test. Products are listed in the order they finished.
All measurements (4 more)+
Final direct comparison vs candle wax on a heated, badly rusted wheel stud lug
- 1SeaFoam Deep Creep
made thorough penetration, still visible on the threads after cutting the nut off, and released the nut as intended; the candle wax nut required about 2 and 1/2 to almost 3 times as much breakaway force to free
- 2Candle waxnot tested
- 3Liquid Wrenchnot tested
Mild-rust, room-temperature test (lighter flame + wax vs. no-wax control, 4 bolts torqued to 50 ft lbs)
- 2Candle wax
no visible sign of wax on the inside of any of the three inspected bolts; narrator could not tell any difference between the waxed bolt and the unwaxed control bolt; no torque numbers were spoken despite a torque adapter being used to measure breakaway force
- 1SeaFoam Deep Creepnot tested
- 3Liquid Wrenchnot tested
Mild-rust, high-heat test (propane torch to bolts cooled to 78 to 79 F + wax vs heat-only control)
- 2Candle wax
no visible traces of wax on the bolt; narrator states it does not look like this is working; no torque numbers were spoken
- 1SeaFoam Deep Creepnot tested
- 3Liquid Wrenchnot tested
Badly rusted wheel stud lug, heated to about 700 F, wax applied then cut open
- 2Candle wax
no visible signs of wax having penetrated the threads; required about 2 and 1/2 to almost 3 times as much breakaway force to free as the SeaFoam Deep Creep comparison bolt
- 1SeaFoam Deep Creepnot tested
- 3Liquid Wrenchnot tested
How it was tested
- mild-rust, room-temperature breakaway torque test comparing lighter-heated candle wax bolts against an unheated no-wax control (visual wax-penetration check only; torque figures not narrated)
- mild-rust, propane-torch high-heat breakaway torque test comparing wax-treated bolts against a heat-only control (visual wax-penetration check only; torque figures not narrated)
- badly rusted wheel stud lug comparison: propane torch plus candle wax versus propane torch plus SeaFoam Deep Creep, breakaway force compared and threads inspected after cutting the nut open
“What did work was applying the penetrating fluid to the rusty nut and bolt”
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