When tackling an auto repair task, you will likely encounter jammed or rusted bolts, nuts, and fasteners. These stubborn parts can be frustrating, especially if they won’t budge despite all efforts. Thankfully, there’s a solution to rusty or stuck metal parts: penetrating oils.
And when it comes to the penetrating oil market, Kroil and PB Blaster are among the most reputed products. Their tremendous abilities and efficiency confuse many DIYers when deciding between the two. So, which is the better penetrating oil?
I provide a detailed comparison between Kroil vs PB Blaster. I’ll also discuss each oil to let you know how they work and why you should choose them.
Answer: Kroil Penetrating Oil
Kano Kroil, considered “the oil that creeps,” is an American-made penetrating oil popular for its superior penetrating and lubricating abilities. This oil has been on the market since 1939, serving professional mechanics and DIYers alike.
Most people swear by this oil due to its ability to creep through tight spaces and loosen any frozen metal parts. It’ll creep into the tiniest spaces, up to a microinch (a millionth of an inch), to loosen rusted or frozen parts. You can use it to loosen stuck or rusted bolts, nuts, hinges, and screws.
This product displaces moisture, treats corrosion/rust, and lubricates the metal surface. You’ll love this penetrating oil due to how fast it loosens metal joints. Upon applying the oil, you can rest assured of effective rust removal in a few minutes.
Kroil will also dissolve dried grease, gum, and oil. It cleans metal surfaces by removing carbon deposits that might compromise lubrication. And while doing all these, Kroil is harmless to metal surfaces.
One of the best qualities of this oil is its ability to prevent or stop rust from developing. It creates a thin transparent layer between metal parts, preventing rust formation.
On top of that, Kroil is a versatile penetrating oil. You can use it on cars, tractors, mowers, bikes, firearms, and any other mechanical equipment moving part.
Pros of Kroil
- Quickly creeps into tight spaces
- Effective at loosening rusted parts
- It serves as a rust cleaner
- Versatile
- Works faster
- Prevents rust formation
Cons of Kroil
- A little more expensive
- Not available in a spray bottle
Answer: PB Blaster Penetrating Oil
PB Blaster has been one of the best-selling penetrating oils since 1957. It’s available in aerosol cans of different sizes to ensure you get the right penetrating oil can for the job. If you’re on a budget, you’ll find this oil at an affordable price.
PB Blaster is a fast-acting product that’ll quickly penetrate and saturate metal surfaces to work its magic. It breaks through rust and corrosion in record time, making it easy to loosen jammed screws, nuts, hinges, and any other metal moving part. Furthermore, this oil will break through frozen and warped metal parts.
Another thing you’ll love this oil for is its impressive lubricating ability. As it penetrates through rusted surfaces, it lubricates moving parts like door hinges and bolts. The oil acts as a cleaning agent that removes any blockage between metal surfaces.
PB Blaster features a non-evaporating grease to ensure the prolonged life of components. Once applied, it will prevent moisture from accumulating, providing a rust-free metal surface.
Unlike Kroil, you only need to splash your PB Blaster on the affected nuts, bolts, screws, and pipe joiners. Then, leave it for a few minutes to break the rust and corrosion.
The oil will help you tackle rust on car parts, bikes, fishing reels, firearms, and plumbing equipment. On the downside, though, this penetrating oil generates strong fumes that are uncomfortable while using it.
Pros of PB Blaster
- It can loosen jammed or frozen parts
- Versatile
- It lubricates metal parts
- Helps to prolong the life of your components
- Easy to use
Cons of PB Blaster
- It has a strong, irritating odor
- You’ll need to wear protective gear when using it
Answer: Kroil vs PB Blaster: Comparison
Kroil and PB Blaster differ in smell, performance, rust prevention, versatility, harshness, and cost.
Smell
The most notable difference between Kroil and PB Blaster is the smell. PB Blaster has an irritating odor that’s somewhat overwhelming when using it. The pungent fumes smell like a floor wax stripper. It’s, therefore, not a suitable product to use on indoor equipment.
Consumers with breathing difficulties will find PB Blaster unbearable. Contrastingly, Kroil has a mild smell that cannot affect your nose. It’s a safe product to use on indoor equipment. Moreover, users with breathing issues will find Kroil a suitable penetrating oil for their projects.
Performance
Both penetrating oils work great in loosening rusty or jammed parts. They break rust and corrosion quickly, making it easy to loosen bolts, nuts, screws, and hinges, among other metal moving parts. These products will lubricate and clean metal surfaces in a few minutes.
However, Kroil comes with a slight edge regarding performance and effectiveness. Many users claim that Kroil works better at removing and preventing rust. This oil is more viscous than PB, meaning it will cling to metal surfaces and penetrate deeper.
But that doesn’t mean PB Blaster lags far behind Kroil. This product works great at penetrating rust. Moreover, it doesn’t evaporate quickly, making it better at lubricating parts.
Rust Prevention
Kroil and PB Blaster are effective at preventing rust on metal surfaces. However, Kroil is better at preventing rust and corrosion in the long run. When applied, Kroil forms a thin transparent layer that repels water. This water-repelling layer prevents further corrosion on metal surfaces.
Conversely, PB Blaster has a non-evaporative grease that remains on the metal surface for an extended period. This grease prevents moisture from accumulating, thus reducing the chances of rust formation.
The bottom line is that both will effectively keep your metal surfaces rust-free. So, choosing one over the other will depend on personal preference.
Versatility
When comparing Kroil vs PB Blaster regarding versatility, you’ll find that both are ideal for multiple applications. You can use them on cars, bikes, tractors, mowers, boats, and firearms to remove rust and lubricate parts. Whether you’re dealing with rusted or stuck nuts, bolts, hinges, screws, and moving metal parts, these products will perform exemplary.
Harshness
If you’re looking for a friendlier penetrating oil, Kroil can be your best bet. Although both oils are non-toxic, PB Blaster can be dangerous if improperly handled. This oil contains xylene, a solvent known to cause skin, eyes, nose, and throat irritation.
Additionally, this solvent can cause dizziness, headache, and confusion. When using PB Blaster, it’s essential to wear protective gear like gloves, chemical-resistant goggles, and respirator masks.
Kroil doesn’t have harsh chemicals, making it a safer product. So, Kroil wins if you prefer using a safer penetrating oil.
Cost
The good news is that both products are relatively affordable. However, Kroil penetrating oil has a higher price tag than PB Blaster. PB Blaster is your go-to product if you’re on a tight budget but looking for an effective penetrating oil.
Here’s a comparison table of Kroil and PB Blaster oil.
| Feature | Kroil Penetrating Oil | PB Blaster Penetrating Oil |
| Smell | Mild smell | Strong irritating odor |
| Performance | Works better at penetrating, removing, and preventing rust | Lags behind Kroil, though effective at breaking rust. |
| Versatility | Used on multiple equipment | Used on multiple equipment |
| Harshness | Friendly penetrating oil | It can cause skin, eyes, nose, and throat irritation. Moreover, the harsh chemicals can trigger a headache, dizziness, and confusion. |
| Rust prevention | More effective | Less effective |
| Cost | Less budget friendly | Budget-friendly |
Final Thoughts
Choosing an ideal penetrating oil between Kroil and PB Blaster might require testing both for first-hand experience. But after reading through this Kroil vs PB Blaster comparison, you can decide which product to use.
Kroil can be a suitable option for consumers interested in a better-performing and friendly penetrating oil. However, you must be ready to spend more to get this product.
On the other hand, PB Blaster is ideal for anyone looking for a cheaper but effective penetrating oil. Unfortunately, this oil has an irritating odor and can be harsh on your skin, eyes, nose, and throat.