How to Freeze & Shatter Off Bolts

Rusted and corroded bolts can be difficult remove. Some people have resorted to such means such as using a cutting torch or hours of muscle-fatiguing battles with the bolt and a wrench. There are a few products to make this task easier. Loctite Freeze and Release and CRC Freeze-Off are two products that you can purchase online that will freeze the area, shatter the rust and release the bolt’s tight grip for easy removal.

Things You'll Need

  • Loctite Freeze and Release or CRC Freeze-Off
  • Washcloth or paper towel
  • Clean the area of as much dirt and rust as you can with a washcloth or paper towel. You will want the product to be able to get to the area without any obstructions.

  • Shake the can of Loctite Freeze and Release or CRC Freeze-Off. This will mix all the ingredients up so the product will distribute better upon spraying.

  • Hold the can approximately 4 to 6 inches from the bolt. Push down the on the release valve on top of the can and spray for 5 to 10 seconds. Upon contact, the spray drops the temperature of the bolt to 45 degrees below zero, causing cracks in the accumulated rust, which then allows for the lubricant in the product to slip in further down the bolt.

  • Wait 1 to 2 minutes before you try to remove the bolt with a wrench. This will give the product time to do its job. If this doesn’t work the first time, repeat the steps above.