Mossberg Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 I currently use Plusgas for my thread penetrant but I am also considering a 50/50 mix of acetone/ATF One thing I have noticed is how difficult it can be to apply to the area I want it. My Plusgas is in a tin, not a spray can. Many times the area of application is in an area with little room above it, so holding the tin above it to apply the fluid isn't possible. Many times I end up not being able to apply it or p**sing it all over the place as I try a long range squirt or running it from high above. So do you folks have any cunning methods to apply it? Buying it in mini spray cans would be good but that would be quite expensive and no good if I am using my own mix. I once thought I had found a good applicator when I decided to use the little drip bottle thing you get with a covid test - it worked great in principle but the body of it split in no time, so great idea but not upto the job. I am considering little syringes. 20x 3ml syringes are £7.27 off ebay. These should be small enough and also you can direct the fluid in any direction you can point the syringe but not sure how long one wood last. So any ideas folks? I have enough rusty nuts to benefit from a good application tool. Thanks in advance. Mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 We have one like this at work filled with acetone. 1000ML 1 LITRE LAB LABORATORY TATTOO VALET WASH SQUEEZY BOTTLE GREEN SOAP https://amzn.eu/d/8UHYz98 Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 Not use a brush? I found a chisel shaped oil painting brush perfect for applying grease in fine places. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Sparkes Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 When I used Plus-gas I used both forms of applicator, the cheap tin for easy to reach points, the expensive spray for when the tin wasn't physically suitable. Regards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaklander Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 8 hours ago, David Sparkes said: When I used Plus-gas I used both forms of applicator, the cheap tin for easy to reach points, the expensive spray for when the tin wasn't physically suitable. I have the same. At least the tin can be used upside down, whereas the spray gets very fussy as it gets emptier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mossberg Posted July 9, 2022 Author Share Posted July 9, 2022 I like the paintbrush idea. Easy yo apply direct where you need it. I am also going to look at syringes as someone has pointed out the ones that don't have the rubber bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean f Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 Would a normal oil can like this work or will the fluid destroy the seals?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddy Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 I use mechoil from autosmart, you can buy it in aerosol but I get 5L tubs and have a spray trigger applicator. I like it you can watch the brown rusty gunk ooze out of the end of a pin or joint as you unseize it. Edit: just checked its about £20-25 for 5l and the 600ml trigger bottle is about £3 and they last really well. Nigel@aechemicals.co.uk is my rep but I don't think he lives too far from you and is very helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mossberg Posted July 10, 2022 Author Share Posted July 10, 2022 Sean, I am not sure about the seals on a normal oil can - especially with the acetone mix. It would be great if it does, especially with the flexible nozzle. The mechoil sounds interesting muddy, but I bought 1ltr of acetone to try so would like to try that first. It was about £9 delivered and I already have atf, but your gear sounds like an economical option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted July 11, 2022 Share Posted July 11, 2022 I have one of these: https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/grease-oil-lubricant-dispensers/0672138?cm_mmc=UK-PLA-DS3A-_-bing-_-PLA_UK_EN_Facilities_Cleaning_%26_Maintenance_Whoop-_-Grease+%26+Oil+%26+Lubricant+Dispensers_Whoop+(2)-_-672138&matchtype=e&pla-4575411489753957&msclkid=69b4f18e52b41788f02d934597b16168&gclid=69b4f18e52b41788f02d934597b16168&gclsrc=3p.ds Which has survived everything, including Acetone, thinners & gun cleaner. It also has a nice, satisfying feel to it! You can imagine yourself oiling a steam engine with it! I tend to use a mixture of one of the above, whatever I have at the time + EP90 as penetrating oil. Maybe only 10% oil though to keep it really low viscosity. Smells bad - but works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mossberg Posted July 23, 2022 Author Share Posted July 23, 2022 On 7/11/2022 at 7:43 AM, simonr said: I have one of these: https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/grease-oil-lubricant-dispensers/0672138?cm_mmc=UK-PLA-DS3A-_-bing-_-PLA_UK_EN_Facilities_Cleaning_%26_Maintenance_Whoop-_-Grease+%26+Oil+%26+Lubricant+Dispensers_Whoop+(2)-_-672138&matchtype=e&pla-4575411489753957&msclkid=69b4f18e52b41788f02d934597b16168&gclid=69b4f18e52b41788f02d934597b16168&gclsrc=3p.ds Which has survived everything, including Acetone, thinners & gun cleaner. It also has a nice, satisfying feel to it! You can imagine yourself oiling a steam engine with it! I tend to use a mixture of one of the above, whatever I have at the time + EP90 as penetrating oil. Maybe only 10% oil though to keep it really low viscosity. Smells bad - but works well. Well I decided to look at an oil can but was concerned about the seals. I looked at a can in a local budget shop and found this can. As far as I can see there are no seals. I tried it with plusgas and it pumped OK. The only downsides I can see is it looks like it will need to be at least a third full as the mechanism doesn't seem long enough, and also the tube is flexible and i wonder if that will perish over time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted July 23, 2022 Share Posted July 23, 2022 £3.50 is a bargain - doesn't matter too much if the pipe perishes! If you want to be creative, you could replace the spout with a bit of copper brake line, soldered to the brass fittings from the plastic one? Mine doesn't suck right down to the bottom of the can either - I think it's a feature! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Hunter Posted August 15, 2022 Share Posted August 15, 2022 I use an acetone and ATF mixture in an old polythene bottle fitted with a trigger mechanism. The label has long since gone so I don't know what it once held, but probably washing-up liquid or bathroom cleaner. No sign of any washers or gaskets failing. It gives a good jet squirt, not a spray, so I have to be pretty good with my aim! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mossberg Posted August 15, 2022 Author Share Posted August 15, 2022 Well I have been using the oil can for a while now with Plusgas and it has worked well. It soon returns to the can, which is probably because the liquid is quite thin. However, a few pumps and it's back. I used it to apply it to the threads on each end of my draglink and it was really good at directing it where I wanted, even in the split in the draglink which was positioned at the bottom. As the spout is a flexible pipe you can also aim it at the back of something. Far better than the standard can and less wasteful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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