Special thanks go to D-Tek Customs for the Purple Ice and UV Dye and Danger Den for the Water Wetter and Zerex Coolants.

Each of the 4 water additives were mixed with with distilled water in a ratio of approximately 1:20. Then a piece of aluminum and a piece of copper were submerged in each of the treated water mixtures (as well as untreated distilled water as a control) and left for 20 days.

These water mixtures were also tested for straight 4 hours in my current water cooling setup. While CPU temperatures did seem to be lower with the presence of treated water in the system over untreated water, the accuracy of my testing methods are not high enough to claim that one is better than the other.

Red Line Water Wetter
“WaterWetter® Supercoolant is a unique wetting agent for cooling systems which reduces coolant temperatures by as much as 30°F. This liquid product can be used to provide rust and corrosion protection in plain water for racing engines, which provides much better heat transfer properties than glycol-based antifreeze. Or it can be added to new or used antifreeze to improve the heat transfer of ethylene and propylene glycol systems. Designed for modern aluminum, cast iron, copper, brass, and bronze systems.”

Red Line’s Water Wetter is a bright pink, smelly additive that is commonly used in water-cooling systems. Water Wetter does a good job of preventing corrosion, as well as lowered temperatures in comparison to untreated water. Unfortunatly, Water Wetter has a horrible odor that smells something of rotten worms mixed with bubble solution.

Valvoline’s Zerex Racing Super Coolant
Zerex Super Racing Coolant is a corrosion inhibitor package that provides excellent high temperature corrosion protection in racing applications. This product will increase heat transfer and reduce operating temperatures relative to conventional coolants. Helps prevent insulative corrosion build-up on heat exchange surfaces, Lubricates water pump seals, Protects cooling system metals from corrosion and cavitation, Improves heat transfer.

Royal Purple Purple Ice
“Purple Ice™ is a high performance, synthetic, radiator coolant additive for both gasoline and diesel engines. It reduces the surface tension of the coolant, which improves heat transfer. It provides additional protection against corrosion, rust and erosion, prevents the formation of scale deposits in the radiator and lubricates the seals of the water pump. It is ideal for use in racing applications or in antifreeze-water mixtures.”

Conclusion
I highly recommend the Zerex Racing Super Coolant. Water Wetter works well, however its foul odor hurt its score. Anyone interested in looks should consider purchasing a UV light and adding a bit of UV Dye to their system. The UV Dye will work with any of the coolants tested here.

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