ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Penetrating oil

Hello little one! Today, let's talk about something called "penetrating oil." Have you ever tried to take apart a rusty old bike or toy, but the bolts are stuck and won't loosen? That's where penetrating oil comes in!

Penetrating oil is a special type of oil that is designed to seep into small spaces between two parts that are stuck together. When something is rusted or stuck, it means that there is something called "corrosion" that has built up between the metal parts. This corrosion can make it really hard to get the parts apart.

But when you apply penetrating oil, it works its way into the tight spaces between the stuck parts and reacts with the corrosion, making it easier to loosen the parts. Think of it like a superhero that goes into the small spaces and fights off the bad guys (corrosion) so the good guys (the bolts) can be free again.

Penetrating oil works best when you apply it and then give it some time to work. It can take a few minutes or even a few hours to fully work its magic. And when it does work, you might hear a little "pop" sound as the parts finally come apart.

So next time you have a stubborn bolt or rusty part, remember to use some penetrating oil and give it time to do its job.