WD-40 - What is it actually good for??

[dscheidt]

Is WD 40 varsol with a little paraffin dissolved in it?

It's pretty close to mineral spirits plus oil.

A friend of mine is an analytical chemist, and was bored at work. His conclusion was that it's a pretty particular set of alkanes, which didn't match a commercial solvent he had data for, plus mineral oil. The solvent portion may have been something commercially available in the 50s, a mixture of commercially available solvents, or it may have been something made up from single components. It took John Barry 40 tries to figure it out, after all.

 

[MarvinBerry]

I still use it quite frequently on stuck mechanisms - just the other day we were trying to get a door latch that hadn't been used in a long time loosened up. Couple shots with WD and about a hundred cycles and it was working great.

I'd have reached for white lithium grease first...

Stuff like that I find wd40 and 3 in 1 are too thin, run out. Lithium grease stays put.

Sticky hood latches, squeaky hinges etc all get greased. My go to metal on metal lube.

 

[ovilla]

Life’s too short to not take advantage of modern technology. I use Kroil, MouseMilk, and I buy brake clean by the gallon and use it in a SureShot sprayer. That pretty much takes care of most of my needs. I haven’t bought WD40 in years, and don’t feel compelled to ever buy it again while there’s just so many other great products to choose from. I don’t mind the extra bottles and simply enjoy being able to use the best product for its intended purpose.


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[HenryAZ]

What about the new design sprayer mechanism that moves up and down. I hate it. The newer canned air dusters are the same way. The only size I've found with the traditional spray top and red straw included is the little 3oz can. Since I don't use it by the gallon, nor for "just about everything", that size lasts me a long time. I buy the case of 12 and that lasts me 2 or 3 years. The little can is more convenient to have around as it takes almost no room.

 

[dr_clyde]

About the only thing we use it for is cutting fluid on aluminum and lubricating tubing on the tubing bender as it is effective and wipes off easily.

 

[bushmechanic]

Water Displacement

Bam. Works quite well for that.

 

[javyLSU]

I’ve also used WD-40 to clean up oil splatter/stains on the concrete floor in my garage. Worked pretty well for that.

 

[rayik]

Use it on car door, hood and trunk hinges when doing oil changes.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I use it as a light oil, a very light oil.

Cutting aluminum.

First round penetrant, I have other stuff to use as an upgrade.

WD-40 Aerosal can to clean out the threads of something just tapped.

Sometimes as a quick blast with a drill bity.

I started using it on my truck body seams. I picked up a few cans of DG spray lube to do the same. I think it might be the same stuff, repackaged.

On my chainsaw bar, after cleaning it. Before the bar oil makes its way out and down the bar, just an initial lube. It also helps clean out the groove on the bar.

 

[Ralf11]

WD-40 is good for creating long threads on the internet

 

[Jack Watts]

It's the best thing I've ever used for removing sticker residue. Yeah, other stuff "works" but this is the easiest and fastest stuff, and not as noxious as naptha etc..

I also use it almost daily to wipe down my bike chain after a ride--spray some on a rag, backpedal a few times with the rag on the chain and call it a day. Lubricate the chain about once a week with an actual lubricant, depending on the weather/conditions. Keeps me from having to do a thorough cleaning frequently, and also cuts down on the time between lubing the chain (slightly).

I'll also use it as a light cutting oil on occasion, and to spray electrical connectors on the engine bay prior to washing. In short, I don't find it as useless as some seem to!

Kudos for recommendation to re-purposes the flip up head to a can of Kroil. Totally stealing that idea.

 

[1cargarage]

The question is in the title. What is WD-40 even good for? I know the standard answer their marketing team has drilled into people is "everything".

But seriously. I've found it to be pretty bad at everything. Its not a good rust penetrant. I'd never use it to lubricate anything. Its a pretty lousy anti-corrosion coating.

For me at least, I don't think it even makes the "better than nothing" or the "deserted island and you only get to take one can of something with you" cut offs.

I think I know what OP is asking more or less.

WD40 is marketed as a miracle/cure-all/1-stop/does-everything in a can, and although it can do many things. It does nothing exceedingly well.

If you need a penetrating oil, products engineered to penetrate rust, and only penetrate rust (Kroil, AeroKroil, etc) will outperform WD40.

If you need an oil based solvent to clean oily stuff, there are much more effective options out there (Brakleen, Ether, LocTite SF 7611, etc).

If you need a product that prevents corrosion, there are dozens of options that outperform WD40 and with most it isn't even a contest (Cosmoline, LPS 3, etc)

I had the same thought the other day when I had to use a hacksaw on something - "There isn't anything a hacksaw can do that a different tool can't do better."

WD40 is the Leatherman/multitool of the canned world. It does several things, but does none of them well.

The WD does stand for water displacer as previous posts mention.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Equalparts of WD40 and 30 Wt motor oil will free up and lubricate linkages and bowden cables on cars, but still be thin enough to actually disperse the water on ignition wiring.

 

[Fialaja]

Frees up sticking Diagonal pliers/ Linesman’s or needle nose Pliers.

Keeps tools clean and rust free- doesn’t remove rust though....

Ditto for tool boxes.

Spray on snow shovels and snow blower parts to keep snow from sticking.

 

[bob15]

Makes the removal of roofing tar off of steel very easy.

 

[ecally]

I use it for many of the already listed uses such as degreasing and cleaning. One specific thing I use it for not mentioned is to spray down my files after us. It gets all the metal particles and grease/grime out of the grooves.

 

[Joemctag]

What everyone has said.
Think of it as a SOLVENT.
NOT as a lubricant. It might work as a lubricant for watches or something, but it’s way too light and diluted for tools like pliers, vise-grips, etc. Motor oil or home-mixed ATF-based used sparingly are good lubricants. WD-40 DOES u fixate for a very short time.

 

[Fialaja]

What everyone has said.
Think of it as a SOLVENT.
NOT as a lubricant. It might work as a lubricant for watches or something, but it’s way too light and diluted for tools like pliers, vise-grips, etc. Motor oil or home-mixed ATF-based used sparingly are good lubricants. WD-40 DOES u fixate for a very short time.

Couldn’t disagree with you more. Get a new set of channel locks or Klein’s and see how stiff they feel? Spray some WD on them and work em... like magic.

 

[zendriver]

Looks like for some, it works great for multi use, but for others, it is mostly useless.

Obviously, one camp is right and the other is wrong.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Olfactory memory trigger.

 

[P0234]

As mentioned it's a great chain cleaner for bikes and motorcycles.

 

[Fialaja]

Helps take some of the stink off craftsman screwdriver handles?

 

[Lucid Moments]

Last year I bought new 44" tires for my 4x4. Since my home-made wheels have internal bedlock system - designed and made by yours truly - I mounted the tires by hand in the shop. This is rather serious rubber and getting them on the rims was a bit difficult. After fooling around with soap, and the stuff they recommended at the local tire shop - I ended up using WD-40 to lubricate the rims and the beads. Like I said earlier, great lubricant for rubber.

It is a good lubricant for rubber on metal. I use it all the time for getting hoses on fittings.

 

[zendriver]

Up for work at 0330 today and the electric dead-bolt in the door running noisy and like molasses and we are due to leave town tomorrow. Bolt felt real gummy.

The only can within arms reach was WD40, so why not? Cleaned the bolt and lubed it up to work way better.

Cleaner and lubricant?

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I agree with the good enough for some things but there are better products for most.
I don't use it much and it's been many years since I bought any. I still have a partial gallon and find spray cans every once in a while.

 

[Sawdust_]

Aftershave. The ladies love it.

 

[NORTON'S SHOP]

Wet sanding bare metal. Keeps the sand paper from clogging up.

 

[csp]

Works great for removing spray on plastidip.

Spray it on, wait 30 minutes, peel plastidip off.

 

[Jweebothee]

I've heard it's great to put on bait when ice fishing.

I use it for fishing also sometimes


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[dmftoy1]

Works great for when you’ve driven your VW bug through water that was too deep and you killed the ignition by getting points wet, and your beautiful girlfriend wants you to get to her place RIGHT NOW

Seriously - does a great job on drying out wet points


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[seber]

Wet sanding bare metal. Keeps the sand paper from clogging up.

I need to try that. I usually use Mobil 1 thinned a bit with Kroil.

 

[MacMcMacmac]

Wait really? I use fast orange xtreme and I find it to be quite gentle and it doesn't dry out my hands either.

Every annual maintenance shutdown, my hands become a cracked burning bleeding mess from that ****. I use a lanolin gel hand cleaner at home and it doesn't do anything like that. My hands cant take Varsol anymore either. I used to practically marinate in that back in my 20s in Edmonton, but when I moved to Ottawa I couldn't touch the stuff. Maybe the formulation changed.

 

[laser3kw]

Helps take some of the stink off craftsman screwdriver handles?

But does it still numb your tongue?

Works great for when you’ve driven your VW bug through water that was too deep and you killed the ignition by getting points wet, and your beautiful girlfriend wants you to get to her place RIGHT NOW
Seriously - does a great job on drying out wet points
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Just don't do it while its running. I did that to a Chevy points dizzy and it ignited.

WD40 - if it sticks or squeaks!
Sticks or squeaks commercial

 

[CGarage]

Olfactory deterrent for the opposite ***.....

I can’t stand the smell.

Kroil and Liquid Wrench and Amsoil MP are far superior.

That said, I use WD40 for:

- Lubrication when doing light machining or cutting threads
- Great adhesive / glue remover (sticky label residue remover)
- Great for sanding as a lubricant to prevent loading of the sand paper

 

[abelacres]

It stops squeaks for sure. I threw a can at a mouse once- he never squeaked again.

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[AffableCurmudgeon]

Chicks dig it.

 

[Macneil]

It’s good for wiping on auto parts that are subjected to dirt/mud. Used to use it on my MX dirt bikes. Wipe it on the plastics and it would come clean with no effort at all after being on the track all day.

Seen some buddies use it on their undercarriage of off road vehicles to do the same thing as mentioned above.

Other than that, good for FA.


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[didit]

Lots of great usage ideas. Also, it is very good at removing oversprayed paint that has not cured completely yet, without any danger of harming any surfaces. It seems to work on all types of paint. I saturate a small piece of cloth and utilize a small screw driver or putty knife wrapped in it to get into tight areas without disturbing the finish paint. I immediately wipe down with warm soapy water and a soft cloth after.

 

[UglySign]

 

[TalonFE]

Good makeshift blowtorch for roasting ants....safety 1st as always