WD40 "LOW VOC" vs "Original"

[b.well]

Is the New "LOW VOC" WD40 as good as the Original WD40?

I've read a couple reviews that say NO. What's your experience? I can buy the new stuff or pay a little more for the old stuff.

I haven't bought WD40 in a long time. I had a few bottles around and then some came with my house a couple years ago. I've finished off most of it now and looking to restock. What I find is "LOW VOC" WD40; 50 state compatible.

Here are the details I found for the gallon can:
wd40 100102 "original formula?" VOC ????
wd40 490118 "50 state low voc" VOC 25%

I called WD40 and they said they swapped over to the Low VOC in July 2019. I found one of their "Technical Data Sheets" from 2017 I guess introducing the low VOC. Maybe they stopped making the original formula in July 2019. Not sure.

Here are two Technical Data Sheets I found.

Low VOC formula from 2017
https://www.datocms-assets.com/10845/1562016688-wd-40-smart-straw-12-oz.pdf

50 state formula from 2011
https://www.wd40company.com/files/pdf/wd_40tec16952473.pdf

I tried to attach the PDF files directly but they are too big. I attached some screen shots. If you want to view the full pdf follow the link.

Thanks for any real world reports!!!

 

[b.well]

Here are four WD40 bottles I have on hand. I think they are all a good 10 years old. Different part numbers for the different sizes. But otherwise no word about VOC on any of them. I know the newer WD40 cans say "MULTI-USE PRODUCT". Mine do not. Of course the newer ones have the 2 way sprayer too. Mine do not.

 

[anndel]

I bought the 3 can pack from Costco 3 years ago and finally coming to 1/2 on the last can. Looks like another trip to Costco for some WD-40 is in the works.

 

[4xdog]

Jeez, what does WD-40 do so well that a change in formulation could possibly change?

(Nothing I've ever used it for, for sure!)

 

[AA/FC]

Looks like I may need to keep my eyes open for new old stock WD40 at the various low volume hardware stores in my area.

 

[Skin]

Pretty sure all they changed was the propellant.

 

[Danglerb]

WD40 used to be basically Stoddard solvent, Calif making a whole lot of products less good and more expensive. I tried to order a small bottle of cutting oil from Zoro and checkout page said no shipping to Calif.

 

[b.well]

Pretty sure all they changed was the propellant.

I hope your right. I found a couple reviews saying it wouldnt clean as good. I am pretty sure one of them had the differences in ingredients. Ill try to find it again. WD40 did say they will email me more information. Ill post what i get from them.

If no one has any complaints about the low voc mixture thats a good thing.

 

[b.well]

Here are the spec differences I found before. Same 3 main ingredients but in different %s.

While the exact formula is a trade secret, according to the SDS sheets at wd40company.com the reg formula contains Aliphatic Hydrocarbon (45-50%), Petroleum Base Oil (<35%) and LVP Aliphatic Hydrocarbon (12-18%).

This CA Compliant version contains LVP Aliphatic Hydrocarbon (45-50%), Aliphatic Hydrocarbon (<25%), Petroleum Base Oil (<25%), and "Non-Hazardous Ingredients" (10%).

 

[egdede]

Jeez, what does WD-40 do so well that a change in formulation could possibly change?

(Nothing I've ever used it for, for sure!)

I spray it on gate hinges and the like after a rain. To disperse water. Works good!

 

[seber]

Jeez, what does WD-40 do so well that a change in formulation could possibly change?

(Nothing I've ever used it for, for sure!)

I'm with you. I'm still looking for something it does better than the correct chemical or lubricant.

 

[orangeblood]

I'm with you. I'm still looking for something it does better than the correct chemical or lubricant.

agree

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Jeez, what does WD-40 do so well that ..... !)

Works well for removing sticky labels.

 

[bwringer]

Most of my WD-40 usage is cleaning greasy parts. It doesn't stink like kerosene or mineral spirits, it's mild on hands, and it doesn't hurt rubber or plastic. I go through maybe a gallon can every year using a spray bottle.

I suspect the formulation change is all or mostly the propellant in the spray cans.

I'll agree it's lousy for anything requiring lubricity.

 

[American Locomotive]

Most of my WD-40 usage is cleaning greasy parts. It doesn't stink like kerosene or mineral spirits, it's mild on hands, and it doesn't hurt rubber or plastic. I go through maybe a gallon can every year using a spray bottle.

I suspect the formulation change is all or mostly the propellant in the spray cans.

I'll agree it's lousy for anything requiring lubricity.

WD-40 is like 50% Kerosene by volume with some other hydrocarbon based solvents and oils. It smells every bit as much as Kerosene (to me at least)

 

[Skin]

I hope your right. I found a couple reviews saying it wouldnt clean as good. I am pretty sure one of them had the differences in ingredients. Ill try to find it again. WD40 did say they will email me more information. Ill post what i get from them.

If no one has any complaints about the low voc mixture thats a good thing.

I guess I misunderstood. This is a brand new change?

The old WD40 had a propellent change some years back that definitely changed how prominent its odor was. Now it sounds like they're playing with the types of petroleum products used.

Doesnt much matter to me to be honest. I only ever used it for its intended purpose (moisture dispersant) or removing sticker glue. There are a lot of products on the market that do both though like Liquid Wrench and Screw Loose.

Wonder if this is applying to all formulations of WD40 or just the most common. I think I have a can of their Specialist penetrant with the metal straw that I havent tried yet.

 

[b.well]

I guess I misunderstood. This is a brand new change?

The old WD40 had a propellent change some years back that definitely changed how prominent its odor was. Now it sounds like they're playing with the types of petroleum products used.

Doesnt much matter to me to be honest. I only ever used it for its intended purpose (moisture dispersant) or removing sticker glue. There are a lot of products on the market that do both though like Liquid Wrench and Screw Loose.

Wonder if this is applying to all formulations of WD40 or just the most common. I think I have a can of their Specialist penetrant with the metal straw that I havent tried yet.

I haven't looked for other products to replace WD40 before. I use it for cleaning, stopping squeaks, removing rust, removing stickers, bike chains,...

After searching what you suggested it does seem Blaster could be better for breaking rust locked items, and Liquid Wrench lubricating oil for what it says. Might check those out.

Thanks.

 

[Wamsutta]

WD-40 is like 50% Kerosene by volume with some other hydrocarbon based solvents and oils. It smells every bit as much as Kerosene (to me at least)

It never smelled like kerosene or diesel fuel to me. To my nose, WD-40 always had its own smell.

 

[AA/FC]

It works great for shaking cars and trucks off of flat bed tow trucks when they're stuck in park. Spray a little trail of WD-40 behind each rubber tire and the vehicle will fly right off the bed. Lol.

 

[Skin]

I haven't looked for other products to replace WD40 before. I use it for cleaning, stopping squeaks, removing rust, removing stickers, bike chains,...

After searching what you suggested it does seem Blaster could be better for breaking rust locked items, and Liquid Wrench lubricating oil for what it says. Might check those out.

Thanks.

I dont like PB Blaster myself. Its easy to find but comes out in a thick stream that dribbles everywhere.

CRC Screwloose is the closest thing to WD40 I've come across if all you want is an all purpose light oil in a can. You'll have to find a source that sells by the case though. Its not very popular so price for singles is fairly high.

Alternately just buy some gallons of WD40 before those get superseded and a Sureshot.

 

[zendriver]

Although it's never happened before, is it possible this could just be marketing BS?

Really, who wouldn't like a product that is "low VOC" ? Especially since most people probably don't even know what it means

 

[Showkey]

What’s in WD40

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WD-40

VOC compliance ........CARB ( aka California)

https://www.wd40company.com/files/pdf/wd_40tec16952473.pdf

 

[anndel]

I just worked on a 2005 Toyota Camry where I had to replace the passenger side CV axle. on the axle next to the CV joint is a bearing ad it goes into the bearing holder with a bolt and circlip. Trying to remove the OEM as it was stuck I was going to spray PB Blaster or Kroil but didn't want to smell the annoying fumes. I sprayed WD-40 since I thought I have nothing to lose and will use others if it didn't work. Well it popped out with a light tap of a brass punch. I'm a WD-40 fan and believer.

 

[Iron Beaver]

I personally like CRC Knock'er loose, but man does it stiiiiiiink.

 

[bonneyman]

WD-40 is like 50% Kerosene by volume with some other hydrocarbon based solvents and oils. It smells every bit as much as Kerosene (to me at least)

I suspect you're on the right track here. Low odor kerosene is cheap, a sludge dissolver, low evaporation and a fair lubricant in it's own right. Mixed with a high lubricity oil and penetrant it would probably make a great break-free type of product.
A rust buster listed in the old Henley's Formulas lists just such a loosener/rust buster of kerosene, lubricant oil, and butyl alcohol. From around 1900. Good ideas seem to stick around.

 

[b.well]

Response from wd40 about the effect of the voc change.
........

Thank you for contacting WD-40 Company. We do appreciate your interest in our products. The percentage of VOC in regular WD-40 Multiuse Oil was 49.5%. The VOC content does not affect WD-40 Multiuse cleaning, lubricating, corrosion protection, or water displacement performance.

Please do not hesitate to contact us again in the future at 1-888-324-7596 or via our website www.wd40company.com.

Sincerely,
Karen J Oakley
WD-40 Customer Care Team

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