Bar’s Leaks Celebrates 75th Anniversary

Bar’s Leaks celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2022.

What started as a single radiator stop leak formula in 1947 has grown into a trusted leak brand. Over the last 75 years, Bar’s Leaks products have sealed more than 400 million vehicle fluid leaks, according to the company.

“When a Bar’s Leaks product gets someone back on the road, it doesn’t just save them money, it can also save their day,” explained Clay Parks, VP of product development. “By stopping more than 400 million leaks, Bar’s Leaks has saved millions of vacations, workdays, and date nights. We’ve made it possible to win races, keep appointments and explore the world.”

Bar’s Leaks debuted as a radiator stop leak invented by Fred Barton in 1947. Today, the Bar’s Leaks brand encompasses stop leak and repair products for a wide range of vehicle components and systems including cooling, engine, gear box, hydraulics, power steering, transmission, and more. Common applications include cars, trucks, and SUVs; motorcycles, and other recreational vehicles; lawn mowers; boats and other watercraft; and agricultural equipment.

The original Bar’s Leaks customers were U.S. automakers who installed it in every car they made to prevent coolant seepage. In 1950, Bar’s Leaks entered the traditional automotive aftermarket, including repair garages. In 1965, distribution was expanded to the retail automotive aftermarket. Today, Bar’s Leaks products are available through distribution and retailers nationwide, both online and in person.

The 1996 introduction of engine, transmission, and power steering repair solutions was a significant step beyond cooling system stop leaks. In 2004, Bar’s Leaks introduced its new Head Gasket Repair – a chemical solution for blown head gaskets that the company notes stopped leaks by repairing the root cause and forming a bond stronger than the actual head gasket itself. The brand got a little sparkle with the introduction of Liquid Copper Block Seal, a metallic antifreeze-compatible stop leak for large cooling system leaks, in 2008. It was followed in 2010 with the strongest professional-grade, antifreeze-compatible head gasket sealant Bar’s Leaks has developed, Head Seal Blown Head Gasket Repair.

Recognizing that consumers are increasingly pressed for time, and retailers are pressed for shelf space, in 2019 Bar’s Leaks rolled out Super Leak Fix, an all-in-one product to stop engine, transmission, power steering, hydraulic, and gear/axle leaks. Most recently, last year Bar’s Leaks introduced Gear Repair, a treatment designed to extend gear system life, stop leaks, reduce noise and improve gear performance in automotive, heavy-duty, agricultural, marine, and industrial gear oils.