Has Anyone Ever Found A Use For WD-40?

[ericr]

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.

[emf]

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

[Kurt in NJ]

I recently used 2 gallon jugs of it as weight for gluing upholstry

[monto]

WD40 is more useful as a cleaner than as a penetrant.

[jb-ob]

While you might not wish to invest in their product, your definitely should invest in their stock !

[WHN]

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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.

[J Franklin]

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.

[31a]

I use for several applications works foe me

[1930 coupe]

It works good removing sticky residue left behind after removing tape or labels.


Works good to keep parts from rusting while in indoor storage.

[28Ca8149]

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

[Rich in Tucson]

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.

[eagle]

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.

[Tom Endy]

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

[Bud Man]

Removes road tar from painted surfaces like a house-a-fire, but gentle on the paint. Bud

[Gary/IA]

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.

[MikeK]

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.

[Tom Wesenberg]

All the above, plus I use it as a threading fluid when I run taps in aluminum.

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by ericr

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.

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!).

[prpmmp]

Its great for whining! When I start to whine my wife sprays it in my face,I stop whining!!Pete

[davehc]