2019 test3 productsShop Chemicals & Lubricants
Which Penetrating Oil Brand Wins?
A head-to-head test of 3 penetrating oil options with the measured results for each. See how they ranked and watch the full test video.
Budget pick
Liquid Wrench
Check price on Amazon
Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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 | UnseizeTorque(1hr, ft-lb, 4 samples) | UnseizeTorque(24hr, ft-lb, 4 samples) | Vertical Climb | Corrosion Resistance | FilmStrength(lubricity, 30ml/60sec) | HeatFlammability(~600F + flame) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Gibbs | 142, 150.7, 132.2, 157 (avg about 145.5); best (lowest) of the three, 1st place at 1 hour | 152.8, 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 | 3rd place (slowest), narrowly behind Liquid Wrench in the head-to-head runoff for 2nd, after SeaFoam clearly won 1st | 3rd place after both the 2-coat check and the final check, though still far better than the untreated control | 3rd place, largest wear scar and highest power draw, i.e. worst lubrication of the three | most flammable of the three, described as 'highly flammable' and 'really burns,' worst (3rd) for heat tolerance |
| 2SeaFoam Deep Creep | 170.9, 162.3, 166.3, 145.2 (avg about 161.2); worst (highest) of the three, 3rd place at 1 hour | 136.7, 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 | 1st place, 'clearly won first place' climbing the vertical spike surface | 1st place after both the 2-coat check and the final check | 1st place, smallest wear scar and lowest power draw, best lubrication of the three | 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 Wrench | 151.9, 147.5, 143, 155.2 (avg about 149.4); 2nd place at 1 hour | 142.4, 134.4, 137.1, 149.3 (avg about 140.8); 2nd place at 24 hours, beating SeaFoam by less than 1 ft-lb | 2nd place, barely beating Gibbs in the head-to-head runoff for second, after SeaFoam won 1st | 2nd place after both the 2-coat check and the final check | 2nd place, better than Gibbs but worse than SeaFoam | 2nd 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)
More Shop Chemicals & Lubricants
Shop Chemicals & Lubricants2026
Which Brake Parts Cleaner Brand Wins?
Gunk (Chlorinated)
See the resultsShop Chemicals & Lubricants2025
Which Oil Spill Absorbent Brand Wins?
16 products tested
See the resultsShop Chemicals & Lubricants2024
Which Hand Cleaners Brand Wins?
Permatex Fast Orange Extreme
See the results