WD-40

13 January 2007, 23:29

vapodog

From an email I received for some fun:

quote:
WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the Project that was to find a "water displacement" compound. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus
WD-40. The Corvair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts.
The workers were so pleased with the product, they began smuggling (also known as "shrinkage" or "stealing") it out to use at home. The executives decided there might be a consumer market for it and put it in aerosol cans. The rest, as they say, is history.

It is a carefully guarded recipe known only to four people. Only one of them is the "brew master." There are about 2.5 Million gallons of the stuff manufactured each year. It gets
Its distinctive smell from a fragrance that is added to the brew.
Ken East (one of he original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you.
When you read the "shower door" part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It's a miracle!
Then try it on your stovetop... Voila! It's now shinier than it's ever been. You'll be amazed.

Here are some of the uses:
Protects silver from tarnishing.
Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making it Slippery.
Keeps flies off cows.
Restores and cleans chalkboards.
Removes lipstick stains.
Loosens stubborn zippers.
Untangles jewelry chains.
Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.
Removes tomato stains from clothing.
Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
Keeps scissors working smoothly.
Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes.
Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a super fast Slide.
Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers.
Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.
Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them
Easier to open.
Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close
Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles,
As well as vinyl bumpers.
Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.
Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them
Running smoothly.
Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
Removes splattered grease on stove.
Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
Removes all traces of duct tape.

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

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

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.
Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away
Immediately and stops the itch.

WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the
Mark and wipe with a clean rag.
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!
If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would
Displace the moisture and allow the car to start.
It removes black scuff marks 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.

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

P. S. The basic ingredient is FISH OIL

I use it on my firearms during the warm months and clean and keep the action bone dry while hunting cold months.

I displaces water and IMO helps prevent rust.

13 January 2007, 23:36

malm

Got an old Glenfield 60 for use as a loaner for my friends kids when we go out shooting or rabbit hunting. I clean the gun in Kerosene and then I hose everything down including the trigger assembly with a pump bottle of WD-40, working the bolt, hammer and lifter a few times before blowing out all the excess. This gun sits for looooong periods of times between cleanings and uses, and to this date, some 30 years later, the WD-40 hasn't harmed the gun or it's function in any way.

I'm sure, as with everything, if you use it in excess, or, simply spray the stuff in the action and just leave it, it is going to attract all kinds of crap which can cause problems, but, if you are careful to blow out all the excess and wipe the gun down, you will be just fine.

quote:
Originally posted by Tom Dunn:
Seen too many problems from it.

So what problems have you personally seen?

13 January 2007, 23:57

Tom Dunn

quote:
So what problems have you personally seen?

Mostly the gunking that you refer to. I used to live in a shotgun only for deer state, so there were a lot of shotguns around, naturally. If someone was having a problem with a gun(usually a shotgun, but not always) such as failing to cock or unreliable ignition (due usually, to slow fireing pin speed) the first question I, or any of the gunsmiths I associated with would ask, was what they used to lube the gun. Most common answer was "WD-40". In most every case, a detail teardown and cleaning, followed by Break-Free was all that was needed to "fix" the problem..

14 January 2007, 00:41

craigster

I think the biggest problems coming from using WD40 is the fact that it gets used on is stuff that is probably dirty in the first place and never gets cleaned properly. The dust and dirt gets trapped and mixed in with the lube and eventually builds up causing a problem. Every time the door locks on my pickup start acting up, first thing I do is hose 'em with WD40 and the problem goes away til the next time. Have I ever taken them apart and thouroughly cleaned the mechanism? No.

14 January 2007, 00:49

tin can

I accidently sprayed some on an old trailer hitch, and it grew hair on it.

14 January 2007, 02:54

Rojelio

Maybe it'll grow hair on my head

Rojelio

14 January 2007, 03:18

LRH270

It absolutely works as a fish attractant when sprayed on cut anchovies or sardines for stripers or catfish.

Probably 70% of the boats on Lake Mead have a can on board for that purpose.

14 January 2007, 03:54

flylo

One thing it's not good for is rubber parts like O rings in air tools. Ruins them every time.

14 January 2007, 04:23

Jaywalker

WD-40 is a penetrant, so you wouldn't want to use it on anything that you don't want penetrated, such as primers or wooden stocks, which it makes punky.

Personally, I don't use it as a lubricant or a preservative - there are better options for both.

Jaywalker

14 January 2007, 05:13

OMJ

I got a real good deal on a Canjar trigger ($25) that was inop. Someone had used WD40 on it and a varnish had formed between the trigger lever and the side plates. Nasty to remove but worth the trouble.
The main use that I have for it is spraying in on the Kurt vise on my milling machine and the table surface.

14 January 2007, 05:20

Gringo Cazador

it can't be to special.......its to dang cheap. I will work, but much better stuff, trans fluid for one.

Some love it, some think its the main cause for bolt handles coming off M700 Remingtons and the limiting factor of the 45/70

14 January 2007, 06:25

Walker

quote:
Originally posted by vapodog:
From an email I received for some fun:

quote:
WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the Project that was to find a "water displacement" compound. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus
WD-40. The Corvair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts.
The workers were so pleased with the product, they began smuggling (also known as "shrinkage" or "stealing") it out to use at home. The executives decided there might be a consumer market for it and put it in aerosol cans. The rest, as they say, is history.

It is a carefully guarded recipe known only to four people. Only one of them is the "brew master." There are about 2.5 Million gallons of the stuff manufactured each year. It gets
Its distinctive smell from a fragrance that is added to the brew.
Ken East (one of he original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you.
When you read the "shower door" part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It's a miracle!
Then try it on your stovetop... Voila! It's now shinier than it's ever been. You'll be amazed.

Here are some of the uses:
Protects silver from tarnishing.
Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making it Slippery.
Keeps flies off cows.
Restores and cleans chalkboards.
Removes lipstick stains.
Loosens stubborn zippers.
Untangles jewelry chains.
Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.
Removes tomato stains from clothing.
Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
Keeps scissors working smoothly.
Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes.
Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a super fast Slide.
Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers.
Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.
Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them
Easier to open.
Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close
Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles,
As well as vinyl bumpers.
Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.
Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them
Running smoothly.
Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
Removes splattered grease on stove.
Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
Removes all traces of duct tape.

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

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

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.
Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away
Immediately and stops the itch.

WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the
Mark and wipe with a clean rag.
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!
If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would
Displace the moisture and allow the car to start.
It removes black scuff marks 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.

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

P. S. The basic ingredient is FISH OIL

I use it on my firearms during the warm months and clean and keep the action bone dry while hunting cold months.

I displaces water and IMO helps prevent rust.

Man, this stuff is better than Amsoil

14 January 2007, 06:55

ireload2

Long ago I lived in a house with an evaporative cooler. WD-40 did not protect from rust with the high humidity.
Use it in Nevada and it is probably great. Use it in an area of high humidity and you will probably regret it. I have not used it on a firearm in about 35 years.
It works well for cleaning the crap out of loading dies and removing road tar off of your car.
There have been dozens of corrosion tests published that tested WD-40 and many other similar products. I do not remember WD-40 ever being a good performer in any of the tests.

14 January 2007, 07:15

RogerR

WD 40 is the "duct tape" or bailing wire of the chemical age.

I keep a can with the rattle spray paint cans, one squirt will clear paint from the nozzels.

I heard the formula changed app 5 years ago excluding some volatle components. If I am out of ether I have sprayed the "old" formula in carburators to start small engines in cold weather, the current formula seems to work less well.

Roger

14 January 2007, 07:36

Rancho Loco

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

http://www.wd40.com/Brands/pdfs/msds-wd40_aerosol.us.pdf

14 January 2007, 08:00

bfrshooter

All of the bolt guns brought into my shop that would not fire would be full of dry WD-40. It is impossible to desolve and has to be removed mechanically. The firing pins would be frozen solid.
Want to have fun! Spray it in your locks. I have seen tumblers frozen so tight a key could not be pounded in.
The stuff does a real bad job of preventing rust. I think it actually promotes it. I sprayed my table saw and it rusted faster then ever. I now use wax.
I also sprayed my band saw base which is painted and it rusted too.
I only use it now to lube cherries when I cut aluminum boolit molds.
The best spray ever is Birchwood-Casey Sheath.

14 January 2007, 08:08

jeffeosso

quote:
Originally posted by craigster:
I think the biggest problems coming from using WD40 is the fact that it gets used on is stuff that is probably dirty in the first place and never gets cleaned properly.

yep.. the major problem is guys not doing proper cleaning.. it wouldn't matter if they sprayed CLP or ATF on it, the "problem" wouldn't change.

however, brownells does suggest against using it on new bluing in their blueing salts documentation.

14 January 2007, 08:16

tin can

FWIW I have a small drill press in a remote, humid location that I don't get to very often, and the WD has kept it rust free for years.

14 January 2007, 16:06

hawkins

WD40 is a water displacing oil. It is good for spraying Black Powder guns that have been washed with water. It is a marginal penetrant, and a worsr lubricant. It does dry eventually into a tough film. I can't speak to the fish bait thing, but it does smell nice (but not as nice as Hoppes)
Good Luck!
p.s. It was Convair (division of General Dynamics) no Corvair

14 January 2007, 17:12

vapodog

quote:
but it does smell nice (but not as nice as Hoppes)

Agreed, I'd ealily date a girl that dabbed a little Hoppes behind each ear before I'd date a girl using WD-40!

14 January 2007, 17:53

bfrshooter

The PA farmers I know buy WD-40 in 55 gal drums to spray all of their farm equipment. Strange how rusty they are and how much repairing they have to do. Of course, after they clean their guns, they spray them down with WD-40 too and it has made me a lot of money over the years. A lot of blue jobs too after they put a WD-40 soaked gun in a gun case to store it.

14 January 2007, 19:34

Jim C. <><

I live in the southeast. It's humid here. I hunt and sometime work with tools in the rain, not because I want to but because them's the conditions that prevail. I love WD 40 for what it is supposed to do and I also recognise it's limitations.

WD 40 is, first and formost, a water displacer. It lifts water off surfaces and out of crevices in guns. But it is a very light oil that cannot provide rust protection for more that a couple or three days. That gives time for the surface water to evaporate or get wiped off.

Long term protection requires a different product. I really like Auto Transmission Fluid as a light oil and rust protector following a spray of WD 40. Sheath and others are great too, but they are expensive and I find them no better than ATF.

WD 40 WILL evaporate and rapidly loses any significant rust protective and lubricating qualities it has. And it does leave a layer of sticky "varnish" if it is not removed or mixed with a less evaporative protecting. But, use it as it should be used and it is an excellant product. IMHO.

14 January 2007, 20:44

Jim White

quote:
Originally posted by Rojelio:
Maybe it'll grow hair on my head

Rojelio

Rojelio, It won't grow hair. Try Preparation H. It won't grow hair either but it will shrink your head to fit the hair you have!

15 January 2007, 01:17

bfrshooter

Jim, best one I ever heard! Thanks for that.

15 January 2007, 01:22

mrb302

I 2nd the notion that it makes a good fish attractant. My old man told me that and I though he had finally lost it. After he reeled in 3 or 4 more then I did, I started hosing down my lures. It's wierd, but it works on the fishies.

15 January 2007, 06:40

Alberta Canuck

My dad worked for years as one of the lead machinists in the shop which did the actual final assembly of both Polaris and Poseidon missiles. Often, after the missiles were completed, they were sprayed down with the original WD-40, and stored outside in the plant yard, uncovered. It rained on them, sleeted on them once in a while, and they were subjected to a combo of rain and urban smog. They did not rust.

Eventually my dad and every one of his crew died of mesothelioma caused by the asbestos also involved in the building/assembly processes, but the WD-40 worked safely, and as advertised.

15 January 2007, 07:49

Craftsman

Two things I really like about WD-40. It has made me quite a bit of money over the last 30 years gumming up firearms, especially the trigger mechanisms. Second it smells really good.

I use to have real problems controlling rust on my lathes, mills, saw tables and other equipment with WD-40. A few years ago I developed a combination cleaning solvent and rust preventive vaguely similar to "Eds Red". I now have long term rust protection for my equipment and customers guns.

15 January 2007, 08:31

Jim White

quote:
Originally posted by bfrshooter:
Jim, best one I ever heard! Thanks for that.

Thanks bfrshooter. Glad you got a grin.
I will tell you one use I have found for WD-40. If you have a satellite dish and are in an area where you get snowfall spray your dish with WD-40 and snow will not stick to it and screw your reception up! Jim

15 January 2007, 18:05

Rojelio

quote:
Originally posted by Jim White:
quote:
Originally posted by Rojelio:
Maybe it'll grow hair on my head

Rojelio

Rojelio, It won't grow hair. Try Preparation H. It won't grow hair either but it will shrink your head to fit the hair you have!

I'll try anything once

Rojelio

15 January 2007, 18:08

Rojelio

Correction: Almost anything!!!

Rojelio

15 January 2007, 23:58

tnekkcc

A Google groups search on this topic in rec.guns or rec.crafts.metalworking will produce 10,000 hits.

I have caught more salmon with the pole with WD40 sprayed on the hook, line, and sinker.

If I buy a gun that smells like WD40, I clean the junk out of there.

16 January 2007, 00:59

murkan mike

The Marine Corp took it away from from everybody, because it is not a lubricant, and many guys were trying to lube their weapons with it, and ruining boltcarriers and bolts, not to mention 15th round jams.

Of the whole list that Vopodog listed, did you see one mention of squirting it into your weapon?

As far as ATF (transmission fluid, not the federal knuckleheads) is concerned, have you tried Mobil 1 for extreme sub zero tempature lubrication? With this warm winter here, itÂ´s not needed this year, but I use it when it gets down to -15, so my firing pin doesnÂ´t stick on my sauer 202. WD-40 doesnÂ´t lubricate, and my Â´liberatedÂ´light weapons oil from uncle sam was freezing.

16 January 2007, 03:02

Dr. Lou

I only use it if I am hunting in wet conditions to prevent rust. So far I have never had a spot of rust on any firearm used during wet hunting conditions. After the hunt I wipe it off and apply a more appropriate lube/cleaner. Lou

16 January 2007, 03:41

onefunzr2

quote:
After the hunt I wipe it off and apply a more appropriate lube/cleaner.

Unfortunately, I did not do the latter on a Browning BPS shotgun and ended up with 2 rust spots on an otherwise unblemished receiver. Never again. I changed to BreakFree CLP 30 years ago. Have had zero surface rust problems since.

I wouldn't even use it on a manure spreader. I think it's crap.

16 January 2007, 22:23

JudgeSharpe

Darn- It seems that WD40 works for some folks and dosn't for other.
I have had good luck with it. I use it for a quick fix, as in the field when I need something slicked up, or a quick wipe down. There are better specific products, but I (and speaking only for my self) find that WD40 is a great general use product loke duct tape or elmers glue.
I did lube an old regulator clock with it that had not run in 50 years, it worked there. Would I squirt it into a Rolex? no.
WD-40 will clean it self, if you have a build up, do a little squirt and wioe it down and it will clean the old off.
Dry slide or a dab of griphite seems to be the best for most things that meed a lub that would not freeze. Oil is oil and will get gummy and thicken up as temps fall, and thin out as temps rise. Except sperm oil which you can't get any more.
So as with women. some like redheads and other blonds, go with what works for you.
Judge Sharpe.