What is it with WD-40?

-

Princess Valiant

A.K.A. Rainy Day Auto
Joined
Dec 14, 2011
Messages
26,086
Reaction score
22,926
Location
Colorado
Why do people think it's a good lubricant and insist on using it on things that a real lubricant like PB blaster or Kroil should be used on.

Today I got home from work and the neighbor was trying to open a rusty gate for the first time in 20 years. I went over to help him and he said "let's use wd 40 on it. So he sprayed some and it didn't have any effect. Then I ran over to my shed and got some pb blaster. The pb blaster immediately made the rust "muddy" and we were able to muscle the gate open.

Why are people stuck on WD 40 when it's not a real lubricant.
 
Last edited:
Rainy Day, my uncle used to spray it on his sore arm and knee joints. Said it helped them move better.
 
WD40 is BB, and PB Blaster is 30-06 if compared in ammunition terms! About all WD40 is good for is making white letters on tires white again for a while! Good save by the little bitty gal with the gate opening muscles! :thumbsup:
 
I can decode WD-40 for you;

W - Water

D- Dissipater

40 - 40th formula tested.

It is great for removing water from electronics or recently washed old parts.

It can also be used for removing magic marker graffiti.

It is great to have on hand, very useful.

But it was not made to be a lubricant.
 
The worst is i know people that use it to spray on firearms. To keep them from rusting. I tell them Hell no ! That ***** got solvent. It justs evaps away. Not to metion its no good for any blueing that might be left. .Some people just never learn.
 
I thought so. I know Arthur Itis.

He visits a few people I know, no one wants him around.
 
Here are some of the uses:

1) Protects silver from tarnishing.

2) Removes road tar and grime from cars.

3) Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.

4) Gives floor’s that 'just-waxed' sheen without making it slippery.

5) Keeps flies off cows.

6) Restores and cleans chalkboards.

7) Removes lipstick stains.

8) Loosens stubborn zippers.

9) Untangles jewelry chains.

10) Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.

11) Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.

12) Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.

13) Removes tomato stains from clothing.

14) Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.

15) Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.

16) Keeps scissors working smoothly.

17) Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes

18) It removes black scuffmarks from the kitchen floor! Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff
marks on flooring. It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as
hard to get them off. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.

19) Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly! Use WD-40!

20) Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.

21) Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers.

22) Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.

23) Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.

24) Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.

25) Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.

26) Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.

27) Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.

28) Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.

29) Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.

30) Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.

31) Removes splattered grease on stove.

32) Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.

33) Lubricates prosthetic limbs.

34) Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).

35) Removes all traces of duct tape.

36) Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.

37) Florida's favorite use is: "cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers."

38) The favorite use in the state of New York WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the
elements.

39) WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a LITTLE on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big
one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just
that purpose. Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are
not allowed in some states.

40) Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.

41) WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean
rag.

42) Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick
with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and re-wash. Presto! Lipstick
is gone!

43) If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the
car to start.
 
I can decode WD-40 for you;

W - Water

D- Dissipater

40 - 40th formula tested.

It is great for removing water from electronics or recently washed old parts.

It can also be used for removing magic marker graffiti.

It is great to have on hand, very useful.

But it was not made to be a lubricant.
I clean drum parts with it and just dry them with a clean towel, keeps the pitting down.
 
I have used it to clean old stiff n dirty weatherstriping and hoses. Cleans really well, may have to treat several times to soften.
 
Funny you mention lipstick and zippers right together like that.
 
Cleans oil and grease of my concrete floor easily. Softens adhesive on some stickers,making them easier to remove.
 
Who would want to remove lipstick from a zipper... Keep it on there for bragging rights... :p

Because they developed WD for the early missle program. Bet they have cases stored at NASA facilities
 
I can decode WD-40 for you;

W - Water

D- Dissipater

40 - 40th formula tested.

It is great for removing water from electronics or recently washed old parts.

It can also be used for removing magic marker graffiti.

It is great to have on hand, very useful.

But it was not made to be a lubricant.

This is true - was made to keep condensation from building up on the Titan ICBMs
 
Actually, what WD40 stands for is "Water Displacement, 40th Attempt". It was developed by the US military on their 40th try for preventing corrosion and drying out ignition systems on military vehicles. Although it works great for that, I always wondered why a distributor doesn't blow itself out of the engine after being sprayed, since WD40 is so extremely flammable.

Straight fro the WD40 web site:

"In 1953, a fledgling company called Rocket Chemical Company and its staff of three set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for use in the aerospace industry.

Working in a small lab in San Diego, California, it took them 40 attempts to get the water displacing formula worked out. But they must have been really good, because the original secret formula for WD-40® -which stands for Water Displacement perfected on the 40th try—is still in use today.

Convair, an aerospace contractor, first used WD-40® to protect the outer skin of the Atlas Missile from rust and corrosion. The product actually worked so well that several employees snuck some WD-40® cans out of the plant to use at home."
 
-
Back
Top