5 Best Penetrating Oils (2023 Guide)

An incredibly reliable penetrating oil that’s fast-acting.

A trusted name in penetrating oil with low surface tension.

A penetrating oil suited for both vehicle and home use.

A penetrating oil that’s especially tough on rust.

A water-soluble penetrating oil with valuable properties.

Over time, parts such as bolts, fasteners, and more can rust or corrode, eventually becoming nearly impossible to loosen. Penetrating oil lubricates even the stiffest, most stuck-together metal surfaces so they can glide easily over each other. Every mechanic’s arsenal needs this tool for its extensive versatility, whether in the shop or for a DIY project.

We’ve rounded up and reviewed the best penetrating oils to help make your next engine repair go smoothly. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each oil and delve into what customers thought of each, plus explain the essential features you should look for in penetrating oils. We’ve done all the research so you don’t have to.

Whether it’s loosening rusted bolts or declogging a cluttered pipe, choosing the right penetrating oil is vital to your vehicle’s performance. Be sure to understand the different types of penetrating oils and what works best for your engine before deciding on any oil products.

To select the penetrating oils featured in this buyers guide, we consult our network of experts for their thoughts on penetrating oils. These experts have over 100 years of combined experience in aftermarket auto fields ranging from detailing to accessories to tires, and everything in-between. These experts helped us identify the qualities that would be most important to someone looking for a penetrating oil and the standout brands in each category.

Our team then combed through dozens of resources such as DIY mechanic and auto enthusiast forums, manufacturer and penetrating oil-specific websites, instruction manuals from manufacturers, and reviews from online retailers. We pay particularly close attention to quality reviews and recommendations that highlight the quality of warranties, customer service support, build quality, materials, and overall reliability.

We also factored in the quantity and quality of online retailer reviews from websites such as Amazon, RealTruck, Advance Auto Parts, and more. We looked at factors such as standout customer reviews, prices, meaningful superlatives, and discount shipping eligibility.

Since 2020, we have published over 200 auto product reviews in an effort to make shopping for auto products easier. Our team of writers, editors, researchers, and product experts collaborates to thoroughly vet top products. We try to perform in-house testing on real vehicles whenever possible before making our recommendations.

When testing is not feasible, however, our aim is to make your life easier by doing all the online research for you and presenting that research in the form of easy-to-read product comparisons and buyers guides, rather than outright recommendations. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.

Kano AeroKroil attacks corrosion to free bolts, nuts, and other mechanical parts from scraping. Its advanced formula prevents rust and carbon deposits from forming to create a long-lasting protective coat that keeps your engine properly lubricated.

Due to its aerosol can design, AeroKroil penetrates deeper into metal than liquid oils and is faster-acting, as well. This product works on rubber and plastic, so it won’t damage them if spilled in your engine.

Amazon Review Score: 4.9 out of 5 based on over 2,000 ratings

Those who left positive reviews enthusiastically endorse the AeroKroil for how quickly it works after the first coat. Some customers note that a small amount of AeroKroil is enough to make a big impact on their engine.

While this product has mostly positive reviews, a couple of unsatisfied customers claim the AeroKroil did not loosen stuck bolts as well as they had hoped.

Having been in the automotive oil industry since 1941, Liquid Wrench is a tried-and-true name with more experience than most brands. Their penetrating oil works on rusted nuts and bolts and can even remove excess adhesive from stickers or other glues.

Liquid Wrench can seep easily between corroded metals thanks to its low surface tension. It’s safe to use on painted surfaces, and it contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), improving its everyday use. The only drawback of this oil is that it comes in a relatively small canister, so one bottle must be used sparingly.

Amazon Review Score: 4.6 out of 5 based on over 200 ratings

Many customers appreciate the speed at which Liquid Wrench worked, citing less squeaky hinges and clean parts within a few minutes of using it. There are also customers who like using the squeeze bottle for more precise application.

There are very few negative reviews on Amazon for this product, but some express dissatisfaction with the Liquid Wrench bottle, saying the spout broke after a few uses.

Another trusted name, WD-40 can unstick most stuck nuts and bolts. Its formula acts as a corrosion inhibitor to block moisture and other damaging elements to prevent rust. Also, WD-40 doesn’t contain any silicone, kerosene, water, graphite, or chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), so it’s healthier for both your engine and the environment.

With WD-40’s Smart Straw, automotive enthusiasts can choose between a wide spray for broad application or a direct stream better for precise lubricating. And as a multi-purpose oil, WD-40 can be used on almost any sticky or squeaky surface, making it very versatile.

Amazon Review Score: 4.7 out of 5 based on over 500 ratings

A majority of customer reviews recommend WD-40 spray as a must-have for both automotive and household use. There are also numerous reviews praising this product for how well it works on door hinges.

On the other hand, some customers found the Smart Straw ineffective for getting into hard-to-reach places.

B’laster PB Penetrating Catalyst has a non-evaporating formula that leaves behind a layer of protection against rust. Because of its low viscosity, this oil can reach between tight crevices with ease to break down corroded or rusted engine pieces.

Beyond cars, this penetrating oil also works on industrial, marine, plumbing, and other equipment. PB B’laster oil loosens frozen parts, which makes it ideal for quick fixes in cold weather areas.

Amazon Review Score: 4.7 out of 5 based on over 600 ratings

Some customers recommend allowing the PB B’laster to sit for a few hours to a day before wiping to obtain the best results against rust. Others believe that warming up parts and then spraying improves its performance.

Negative reviews say the PB B’laster’s spray straw clogs easily. However, more than eighty percent of reviewers left 5-star ratings for this penetrating oil, suggesting that its rust-removing claims are well-founded.

Gasoila Free All Deep Penetrating Oil targets rust, corrosion, and adhesives with pinpoint accuracy. Its penetrating fluid can unstick screws, nuts, bolts, and clamps as well as moving parts such as universal joints and locks.

This oil contains no silicone additives, so it won’t damage any paint it may come in contact with. It doesn’t dry quickly, either, so only one or two coats and patience are required to watch the Gasoila go to work.

Amazon Review Score: 4.6 out of 5 based on over 3,000 ratings

Those who admired the Gasolia had positive things to say about how quickly it worked. Some reviewers mentioned that it works especially well for loosening grinding gears.

While many positive reviews said the Gasoila worked quickly, there were negative reviews that claimed the opposite, citing wait times of up to a few hours before seeing results.

Penetrating oil loosens the toughest car parts, including bolts and fasteners, by lubricating the area to make car maintenance or quick fixes easier for you. Every mechanic needs a reliable penetrating oil to work on a vehicle or complete a DIY project from their own garage. Whether you prefer spraying down nuts with the Kano spray, or dabbing them with Liquid Wrench, there are many options out there for everyone.

Generally speaking, penetrating oil will start to loosen bolts or deteriorate rust in as little as 15 minutes. This depends on the oil and manufacturer, though, as some oils may take up to half an hour or longer to work.

Penetrating oil is designed to unstick parts that have rusted or corroded together. Lubricating oil, on the other hand, is used as a preventative measure to grease parts so they work smoothly. Do not use either one in place of the other.

Many penetrating oils contain solvents that can ignite when they reach a high temperature and are considered flammable. In order to reduce the risk of accidental ignition, use penetrating oils that have a high flashpoint and keep them away from sources of high heat. Be sure that your engine is turned off and cool before applying.

*Data accurate at time of publication.