Big ant doesn't want you to know all fluon is just water and PTFE mixed together. Sometimes sold at egregious prices.
Ingredient Amount (for 100 mL batch)
PTFE powder 15 g (15% by weight)
Distilled water 82-84 mL
Surfactant 1–2 mL (1–2%)
PTFE power is very cheap and can be found for about 5 dollars or less for 50 Grams depending on the particle size and quality which could make up to a litre depending on what ratio you decide to go with.
<1 µm (ultrafine/nano): Hard to find, tends to clump, and may require industrial-grade dispersants or sonication.
1–10 µm: Best balance for DIY — small enough to stay suspended with help, but large enough to provide good slip when dried
- Pre-wet PTFE powder:
- Mix PTFE with a few mL of surfactant and water to create a slurry. To prevent clumping.
- Add remaining water slowly while stirring.
- Goal: a milky-white, even liquid with no visible clumps.
- Store in a sealed bottle, shake before each use.
BONUS POINTS: Use an ultrasonic bath or blender to break up agglomerates and stabilize the dispersion!
You can also buy pre-made oil dispersions for cheap, but the ants may stick dirt on it.
EDIT: It is recommended to use a non-ionic surfactant for the best result. you can just use dish soap; however, it may not be consistent leave residues or reduce barrier effectiveness.
Edited by matt., April 30 2025 - 9:37 PM.
