Any recommendations for penetrating cleaning solvent?

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I hope its ok to post this here, but I don’t see any other place to ask.Anyway I have a pad lock that jammed up after years of using WD40. I squirted some Liquid Wrench penetrating oil in to the lock and now it is finally free, but I would like to rinse out the lock with some solvent or something to remove any oil and contaminants trapped inside.I have a Parts Cleaner with a standard solvent, but I think it’s too thick and will not penetrate all the way into the tumblers. Do you think there is anything that will penetrate all the way in without leaving anything behind?  I also plan on using compressed air to blow out as much crap as I can.
Reply:Originally Posted by sleeperI hope its ok to post this here, but I don’t see any other place to ask.Anyway I have a pad lock that jammed up after years of using WD40. I squirted some Liquid Wrench penetrating oil in to the lock and now it is finally free, but I would like to rinse out the lock with some solvent or something to remove any oil and contaminants trapped inside.I have a Parts Cleaner with a standard solvent, but I think it’s too thick and will not penetrate all the way into the tumblers. Do you think there is anything that will penetrate all the way in without leaving anything behind?  I also plan on using compressed air to blow out as much crap as I can.
Reply:Originally Posted by SlobCut Dexron ATF 50/50 with acetone and submerge the lock for a bit. It will desolve any crusted up material inside and clean with a bit of oily residue which will rinse right off with clean solvent if you wish.This blend is a much better penetrant than "P'Blaster" also, (IMO) for frozen parts.
Reply:Originally Posted by sleeperWow Thanks, I have to admit that I've never heard of that before.
Reply:AeroKroil.
Reply:Originally Posted by ezduzitAeroKroil.
Reply:So I was looking around for more information on Kroil and I came across this YouTube video recommending the ATF and Acetone. I don't know know where he got his information, but he said there was an experiment with these two techniques.
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749.......If it happens to be a padlock, I just use a Universal Key...... A Metabo!
Reply:ATF and minerals spirits 50/50 or ATF and turpentine 50/50.
Reply:Originally Posted by sleeperWell it almost came to that except that it was keyed alike to 8 other locks and I didn't think I could get another one with the same key.
Reply:Carb cleaner, brake cleaner, MEK, lacquer thinner, paint thinner, the list goes on."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by KavallIf it's a masterlock I think you can send a key to them and order more locks keyed the same. Some higher end locks have removable cores and can be rekeyed very easily. Best locks for instance. As people have said mixing ATF (good detergent) with Mineral spirits (relatively slow evaporation) or Acetone (faster evaporation) all does about the same thing, more the question is how fast it will evap. Blast it out with brake cleaner then dribble to lock eze into it. If you have a buddy with an ultrasonic cleaner that's another approach. Your parts washer is basically just Mineral spirits, which would work fairly well. Personally I've played with a number of pentrating oils, Liquid wrench, PB blaster, Kroil, Aero Kroil, CorrosionX, pure ATF, just to name a few. I haven't found any that worked appreciably better than PB Blaster and it's locally available. With that said I've never actually thinned ATF with a thinner like Mineral spirits or Acetone. I am absolutely going to try that at some point. Both have advantages. Acetone is more aggressive on many things, but it evaporates so fast. Mineral spirits lingers longer so you have a better chance of softening a stubborn thing that needs time. I always have Lacquer thinner, Acetone, Mineral Spirits, ATF, and Denatured Alcohol sitting around my shop. BTW ATF works as a great lubricant when wet sanding metal by hand.
Reply:You can always to a test spray on a open surface if that's a major concern.