Penetrating oil

I started a thread on bikeforums.net on how to remove a lockring from an old vintage chainring. A number of people suggested that the WD40 I was using was not as good as other penetrating oils. In particular the following were suggested.

• PB Blaster
• Kroil

Of course, as far as I can determine neither are available in France (or on amazon.co.uk).

On amazon.com, I could get the 8oz Kroil  shipped to me (since its not an aerosol) for 11$ plus 55$ shipping. They would not ship the 1 gallon container though.

Searching around further, I came across this thread;

**Machinist's Workshop magazine tested penetrants for break out torque on**
**rusted nuts with significant results!**

**They arranged a subjective test of all the popular penetrants with the**
**control being the torque required to remove the nut from a**
**"scientifically rusted" environment.**

***Penetrating oil ...... Average load***
**None ....................... 516 pounds**
**WD-40 ................... 238 pounds**
**PB Blaster .............. 214 pounds**
**Liquid Wrench ..... 127 pounds**
**Kano Kroil ............. 106 pounds**
**ATF-Acetone mix....53 pounds**

**The ATF-Acetone mix was a "home brew" mix of 50 - 50 automatic**
**transmission fluid and acetone. Note the "home brew" was better than any**
**commercial product in this one particular test. Our local machinist**
**group mixed up a batch and we all now use it with equally good results. **
**Note also that "Liquid Wrench" is about as good as "Kroil" for about 20%**
**of the price.**

If you search there are lots of references to this magazine test on various forums. Much discussion centers around the fact that ATF and Acetone do not really mix, but apparently if you just shake up the container berfore applying, thats all it needs.

I went to feu vert, but could not find ATF fluid (and I really looked hard and asked for help). I did find Acetone in Mr Bricolage hardware store for 4 euros for 1 litre, and I found ATF in Leclerc supermarket for 5.5 euros for (a small container)

• 4 euros for 1 liter of Acetone
• 5.5 euros for 5000ml of WYNN'S "Fuuide de direction asistee ATF (type A - Suffixe A)

I have not tried it yet, I will see if this mix makes a difference in getting the chainring lockring off.

TIP: difficult to say if it worked. OK now I have tried it, and it didn't seem to make any difference to the difficulty in removing the lockring.