Penetrating lubricant: purpose, composition, advantages and disadvantages

With rusty bolts or nuts, which sometimes can not be unscrewed, without breaking it, all motorists who prefer to carry out repairs and maintenance of their cars must have faced it. And if earlier craftsmen used folk remedies for this problem, wetting them with brake fluid, kerosene or turpentine, now they have come to the aid of a penetrating lubricant.

Reasons for the popularity of penetrating lubricants

First appeared on the market, this tool was quickly recognized, not only among motorists, but also simply in everyday life. Why this happened can be explained by several reasons, first of all, of course, convenience of application. After all, the penetrating lubricant itself is placed in a spray can, and it is convenient to use it, treating the desired part, without damaging the hands. For hard-to-reach places, a tube is specially provided, which is put on the nozzle of the can. With its help, hidden elements of units and mechanisms, for example door locks, are processed.

Another reason is its multifunctionality: displacement of moisture, softening and removal of rust, creation of an anticorrosive protective film on the treated surface.

Grease penetrating WD-40

Perhaps the most famous representative of such sprays is the universal lubricant penetrating WD-40 or "Vedeshka", as it was nicknamed by the people. It was developed more than half a century ago in the US, but it continues to be at the peak of popularity, though, rather due to successful marketing, rather than its characteristics. So what is the legendary "Vedeshka"?

Composition WD-40

Officially the composition of the liquid producer continues to keep a secret, although in fact this mystery has long been uncovered: a mixture of white spirit (petroleum solvent) and paraffinic distillate. And from the moment of creation and up to this day, this lubricant has not undergone practically no changes, except for the addition of fragrances to it, and from time to time changing packaging.

For the sake of fairness, it should be noted that the penetrating lubricant "VD-40", first of all, is a water displacer, as evidenced by its name: WD - Water Displacement. But the manufacturer attributes to it still anticorrosive and protective properties. Nevertheless, there is no need to deceive ourselves on this score.

Disadvantages and dignity of "Vedeshki"

The main problem of the "vedeshki" is that the oil distillates that make up it really form a protective film on the surface being treated, but it is so thin that it evaporates very quickly. In this regard, protection against corrosion is short-lived, and the lubricating properties of the WD-40, which is positioned by the sellers as a penetrating lubricant, are virtually nonexistent.

In addition, the practical experience of using the "vedeshki" revealed another unpleasant moment: after removing moisture, it contributes to its rapid adsorption from the surrounding air, which again leads to the formation and development of corrosion. And also do not forget that while processing is in progress, the remains of the lubricant that was in it are washed out. Therefore, after using this liquid, the mechanism must be lubricated with oil.

But, one way or another, "vedeshka" really well penetrates even into complex mechanisms, while freeing up the rusted parts. In addition, the WD-40 perfectly cleanses a wide variety of dirt, including black marks from shoes and a hard-to-remove marker, as well as grease, glue residues and bituminous stains.

Possible alternative to WD-40

Of course, Vedeshka, despite its shortcomings, is able to help out in a difficult position, but this is not the only penetrating lubricant offered on the market.

"Unisma-1" is a product developed by Russian chemists back in the Soviet period as opposed to WD-40. And on some properties it not only does not concede to the famous competitor, but also surpasses it. However, the inherent disadvantages inherent in American lubrication, inherited and Unisma-1. Therefore, both liquids can hardly be called multifunctional, and their application basically reduces to facilitating the dismantling of parts damaged by rust.

But Molykote Multigliss is a universal penetrating lubricant, one can say, fully complies with this definition. In it, the manufacturer tried to get rid of the drawbacks inherent in the above lubricants.

In addition to high penetrating power and rapid softening of rust, this fluid displaces moisture and at the same time does not allow it to adsorb on the surface. And due to the fact that inhibitors have been introduced into it, Molykote Multigliss continues to protect the part from corrosion after application.

Lubricating film formed on the surface, effectively reduces wear arising in the process of friction, while it is fairly strong and retains the properties for a long time.

Thus, the company to the manufacturer - Dow Corning, really managed to create a multifunctional product.

Another tool that is also considered quite effective, and, importantly, relatively inexpensive, is called UNI-M Spray from EFELE.

The peculiarity of this product is that, penetrating the assembly, it does not flow out from there, forming not just a film, but a whole lubricating layer capable of carrying various loads and preventing corrosion.

Strengthening anti-wear properties UNI-M Spray provides the addition of antifriction fillers. And inhibitors protect against rust.

What to choose?

It is difficult to give an unambiguous answer to this question. In addition, the above penetrating fluids are just a small example of what you can buy today in a store. In fact, their choice is huge. One thing is clear: there are substitutes for such a popular WD-40, working much better than this fluid.

In the end, if you only want to turn off a rusty bolt, you can do without special mixtures, and try it with folk remedies: acetic essence or Coca-Cola, which contains orthophosphoric acid. And one and the other perfectly cope with corrosion. By the way, it is orthophosphoric acid that manufacturers use when manufacturing many rust converters, which are used to process car bodies.

In general, before you go to the store for a "liquid key", as the penetrating lubricants are called in the people, you should determine whether it really is necessary to carry out the work that is planned to be done or you can do with what is at hand.