Has Anyone Ever Found A Use For WD-40?

ericr

ericr

Well-known member
I sure never have, it runs out as a lubricant very quickly. As I recall there was a lot of ballyhoo about it when it appeared back in the '60s, I think it was developed by the Government, hence the name, maybe in connection with the space program.


Since all we had before that was 3-in-1 Oil, or maybe LiquidWrench, it seemed like a technological miracle at the time....seems like a waste now.
 
I don't use it as a replacement for liquid wrench, or any other penetrating oil. As a light oil in many applications, I like it.


Frank
 
While you might not wish to invest in their product, your definitely should invest in their stock !
 
It really is not a lubricant. The WD stands for “water displacement”. It’s used a lot in the electrical industry. When I was in the Navy it was used to displace water or moisture on switches and electrical connections. It will not conduct electricity.

I use it on the fan belt if it is making noise.
 
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WD-40 is good for its intended use dispelling water. I use it around distributers. It also is great for forcing oil to penetrate joints while lubing parts. Its worst trait is swelling old dicast parts.
 
It works good removing sticky residue left behind after removing tape or labels.


Works good to keep parts from rusting while in indoor storage.
 
The best anti rust you can get is Acetone. And ATF. Oil 50-50 I have worked a lot with rust restoring my WW 2. Military v ehicles .loosen most things in 24 hrs cheep to buy in most hardwares
 
Used to use it to displace salt water from fishing reels and tackle when fresh water was not immediately available or after rinsing with fresh water. Now use it as a cleaner to tidy up under the hood.
 
Also works to remove nasty grease stains on laundry, makes them slightly less nasty. :)
Works good to clean water corrosion off of electronic printed circuit boards in a pinch.
 
I bead blast a lot of metal Model A parts. If I leave that part sitting on a work bench in the garage overnight especially during the winter months (Southern California) the next morning it will have signs of beginning to rust. After a few days it will definitely show signs of rust.


If I spray that part with WD-40 right after it was bead blasted it could sit there for a couple months and not show signs of starting to rust.


Tom Endy
 
Everyone in our group carries WD-40. Many times we have been caught in heavy rains where someone's car will stop running due to the moisture. Spraying the electrical system with WD-40 will get the car running again.
 
A spray can of the stuff with the plastic straw is my go-to for straight through power tapping with wire size gun taps.

I run a constant pressure spray directly into the flutes from behind while running forward. Not it's intended use but works well and cleans up much easier than any other cutting fluid.
 
ericr said:
I sure never have, it runs out as a lubricant very quickly. As I recall there was a lot of ballyhoo about it when it appeared back in the '60s, I think it was developed by the Government, hence the name, maybe in connection with the space program.


Since all we had before that was 3-in-1 Oil, or maybe LiquidWrench, it seemed like a technological miracle at the time....seems like a waste now.
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Yeah, it's highly over-rated. From what history I've read a chemist was searching for a product to remove water from various surfaces. Thus WD means "Water Displacement", and "40" was his 40th attempt at getting the right formula.
It's not a good penetrating oil nor is it a very good lubricant, but it does a good job of displacing water so it does what it was designed for. As popular as it is, there must have been a marketing genius behind it!
There are much better penetrants and much better lubricants out there. Keep some of each on hand so you don't reach for the WD-40 (unless your distributor got wet!).
 
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