How were the penetrating fluid options tested?

Each option was put through: 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.

Where can I watch the full test?

The complete hands-on test video is on the original creator's channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIunR4VL5vc

2018 test3 productsShop Chemicals & Lubricants

Which Penetrating Fluid Brand Wins?

Q: Which penetrating fluid brand wins?

SeaFoam Deep Creep came out on top in a head-to-head test of 3 options. The verdict: "What did work was applying the penetrating fluid to the rusty nut and bolt"

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.

The verdict

Winner

SeaFoam Deep Creep

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The measured results

Every number below is read straight from the test. Scroll sideways to see all measurements. Products are listed in the order they finished.

Product	Final direct comparison vs candle wax on a heated, badly rusted wheel stud lug	Mild-rust, room-temperature test (lighter flame + wax vs. no-wax control, 4 bolts torqued to 50 ft lbs)	Mild-rust, high-heat test (propane torch to bolts cooled to 78 to 79 F + wax vs heat-only control)	Badly rusted wheel stud lug, heated to about 700 F, wax applied then cut open
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	not tested	not tested	not tested
2Candle wax	not tested	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	no visible traces of wax on the bolt; narrator states it does not look like this is working; no torque numbers were spoken	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
3Liquid Wrench	not tested	not tested	not tested	not 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”
From the test video verdict.

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