Penetrating Oil Aug 2019 Test: Which Brand Wins?
This Aug 2019 head-to-head test of 3 penetrating oil options has the measured results for each. See how they ranked and watch the full test video.
Liquid Wrench
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The quick take
The short version of why each pick lands where it does, built straight from the measured results.
Placed top three in 5 of 6 measurements.
The measured results
Every number below is read straight from the test. Products are listed in the order they finished.
UnseizeTorque(1hr, ft-lb, 4 samples)
- 1Gibbs1421st
150.7, 132.2, 157 (avg about 145.5); best (lowest) of the three, 1st place at 1 hour
- 2SeaFoam Deep Creep170.93rd
162.3, 166.3, 145.2 (avg about 161.2); worst (highest) of the three, 3rd place at 1 hour
- 3Liquid Wrench151.92nd
147.5, 143, 155.2 (avg about 149.4); 2nd place at 1 hour
UnseizeTorque(24hr, ft-lb, 4 samples)
- 1Gibbs152.81st
109.4, 128, 148 (avg about 134.6); best (lowest) of the three, 1st place at 24 hours, improved further after 3 total applications over 24 hours
- 2SeaFoam Deep Creep136.73rd
125.3, 144.2, 159.8 (avg about 141.5); still 3rd place at 24 hours, finishing 'just barely behind Liquid Wrench' by about 0.7 ft-lb
- 3Liquid Wrench142.42nd
134.4, 137.1, 149.3 (avg about 140.8); 2nd place at 24 hours, beating SeaFoam by less than 1 ft-lb
Vertical Climb
- 1Gibbs3rd place
(slowest), narrowly behind Liquid Wrench in the head-to-head runoff for 2nd, after SeaFoam clearly won 1st
- 2SeaFoam Deep Creep1st place
'clearly won first place' climbing the vertical spike surface
- 3Liquid Wrench2nd place
barely beating Gibbs in the head-to-head runoff for second, after SeaFoam won 1st
Corrosion Resistance
- 1Gibbs3rd place
after both the 2-coat check and the final check, though still far better than the untreated control
- 2SeaFoam Deep Creep1st place
after both the 2-coat check and the final check
- 3Liquid Wrench2nd place
after both the 2-coat check and the final check
FilmStrength(lubricity, 30ml/60sec)
- 1Gibbs3rd place
largest wear scar and highest power draw, i.e. worst lubrication of the three
- 2SeaFoam Deep Creep1st place
smallest wear scar and lowest power draw, best lubrication of the three
- 3Liquid Wrench2nd place
better than Gibbs but worse than SeaFoam
HeatFlammability(~600F + flame)
- 1Gibbs
most flammable of the three, described as 'highly flammable' and 'really burns,' worst (3rd) for heat tolerance
- 2SeaFoam Deep Creep
best of the three for heat tolerance; it did ignite briefly but went out quickly, unlike Liquid Wrench and Gibbs which burned longer/harder
- 3Liquid Wrench2nd
for heat tolerance; caught fire and stayed lit ("Liquid Wrench candle") but the narrator says it was 'not quite as flammable as Gibbs'
How it was tested
- torque required to unseize a rusted lug nut with no oil applied (control)
- torque required to unseize a rusted lug nut after 1 hour with penetrating oil applied
- torque required to unseize a rusted lug nut after 24 hours with penetrating oil applied (3 total applications)
- vertical surface climb speed (landscape spike test, about 3 hour time-lapse)
- corrosion/rust prevention on metal strips (hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, salt mix) versus an untreated control
- film strength / lubricity test (30 ml of oil, 60 second run, wear scar size and power draw)
- heat tolerance and flammability test (nut heated to about 600F plus an open flame)
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