WD-40 Use or Not

[Parkers2ca]

I have to agree with the others that WD40 is to thin to be a lubricant. Being so thin it does have good penetrant capabilities though. I have never found it very good on rust. I do however find it to be excellent for cleaning off sticky things such as paint or caulking on your fingers or the glue from peeled off stickers. Try it next time you get your fingers in the paint.

[Winemaker2]

All I can say is WOW!
If those following this thread follow the advice re what to use not use you are likely to be confused and possibly have some less than superior results.
Endust? Really? Why would that be recommended other than I read it on the internet.

I repeat and stand by post #31!

Why would anyone try hacks and use a product that is not recommended by a manufacturer?

Different component manufacturers re on end different products for different and valid reasons... why not follow their recommendations unless you know more than the mfgrs do about the products they make?

HWH specifically recommends WD 40 other silicone e products.
Roadmaster recommends dry si.icone of their tow bars and states NOTTOWAY use WD 40 or other lubes.
Blue Ox recommends greasing their towbars.

3 in 1 last I looked was petroleum based... I'd like to see a reference where a rubber seal manufacturer recommends "conditioning" rubber with a petroleum based product.

WD 40 fish oil? Really... show me please

Why is it "substitutes" that are likely similar cost as a recommended product is more attractive to users?

I dont know how to say it any clearer...
FOLLOW MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATIONS!



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[tjmat]

This is always an interesting and controversial subject. I love it. When I'm bored I know there is always the internet and WD40 to read about.


My "beliefs": WD40 is about 98% kerosene. It does have an additive that helps the kerosene displace water, which can be useful for cleaning wet tools or sliding surfaces, IF it is followed up with a real lubricant where needed. I have always noticed that WD40 carefully avoids using the word lubricate in their labels and advertisements. This is for the original WD40.



To my mind WD40 is an good example of what skilled advertising and pervasive retailing can accomplish. In other words: "devise something really cheap to make, advertise the heck our of it and sell it at a huge mark-up. I wish I had understood this when I was younger.

[Dana Anderso]

Hey Art, try using PB Blaster as a penetrating oil it actually works well and better than wd40

[DuluthFisher]

Just follow your equipment manufacturer's recommendations. No need to go through the confusion & anguish of choosing one type or another of lube. If you don't have their recommendations, call or write them. They'll be happy to set you straight.

[IBCNU]

WD40 original is good for cleaning things like grime, residue (sticker goo) & insects off of your auto paint.
It's not much for lubrication or penetration. There are better products for that.

[Lakeman1]

WD-40 is NOT a lubricant.

[cjmorrell]

I use WD 40 as a cleaning agent then spray with CorrosionX as the lubricant/protection agent.

[09 harley]

Use Tri-Flow. It’s an actual lubricant. WD40 has limited uses.

[Country Road]

Originally Posted by 09 harley

Use Tri-Flow. It’s an actual lubricant. WD40 has limited uses.

Here on our farm, I buy wd-40 by the gallon and put it in spray bottles. But I will agree with the consensus that it’s not much good. It’s like most other things that over the years have been weakened.

Remember the old 6oz bottles of Coke that you could buy out of a machine for 5 cents and then it went up to 6 cents. We all thought, what’s this world coming to. But you could pour that Coke on a battery terminal and it would clean it off.

[judgebobk]

WD 40 is most definitely a lubricant and should not be used as such. It is a solvent. This is one of the first things I learned in the courses for my FAA engine repair maintenance license.

[Bigd9]

Originally Posted by Lakeman1

WD-40 is NOT a lubricant.

Sure it is. There is ...

WD-40 Gel Lube
WD-40 Multi-Use Product
WD-40 Specialist Silicone
WD-40 Specialist Heavy Duty Grease
WD-40 Specialist Bike Chain Lube
WD-40 Specialist Bike Dry Chain Lube
WD-40 Specialist Dry Lube
WD-40 Specialist Wet Bike Lube
WD-40 Specialist White Lithium Grease
WD-40 Specialist Marine-Grade Grease
WD-40 Specialist Roller Chain Lube
WD-40 Specialist High Temperature Grease
WD-40 Specialist Extreme Pressure Grease

Which ones are not a lubricant?

[THenne1713]

<<is there really any place where it would be better to use Regular WD-40 and/or WD-40 Silicone. >> WD40 developed for NASA to remove moisture, so excellent for cleaning up/ flushing wet/ dirty/ corroded electrical connectors, or dirty hardware, such as jacks, Before lubing? Then you could wipe down and spray w/ silicone spray, maybe BRAKE CLEANER ( I have not personnaly used BC much), but do know BC was NOT available when WD40 was invented/ tested. WD40 is excellent for crayon and marker removal on painted walls, road tar on wheel wells/ auto parts, and many other cleanup jobs? I use SILICONE SPRAY on my sawmill tracks, as sawdust does not stick to it, and it Lubricates.

[danbaas]

When using lubricants outside, you should always use a “dry lube” which means the propellant has no oil such as butane. Reason being it will not attract dust and dirt to stick to the surface. They are easy to find at all the big box stores.