FARK.com: (6999683) So... when SHOULDN'T you use WD-40?

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		So... when SHOULDN'T you use WD-40? (lifehacker.com)		198
		More: PSA, scientific skepticism, Teflon, Rubik

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27690 clicks; posted to Main » on 17 Mar 2012 at 1:46 AM | Favorite | share:

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ArkAngel		2012-03-16 10:12:36 PM

When something moves and it shouldn't. Then you use duct tape

Elmo Jones		2012-03-16 10:21:56 PM

Suspiciously absent: buttsecks.

jbuist		2012-03-16 10:22:41 PM

It's best to think of WD-40 as a cleaner, not a lubricant. It's OK for blowing gunk off of something and getting it to move for a while, but you really should be putting something else in place if you care about the device.

For my general purpose "spray object make not squeak" I switched to Rem-Oil about 7-8 years ago. It's just as easy to use as WD-40 but actually leaves behind a teflon lubrication. And while it was made for guns (it's a Remington product) I don't use it on them unless it's just to blow out gunk, much like I would have used WD-40.

all the good names are gone		2012-03-16 10:27:37 PM

Not on a bike chain and sprockets?

Bullsh*t! I used to spray at least two cans of it on my Schwinn every Spring, and that kept going for years.

jehovahs witness protection		2012-03-16 10:32:35 PM

I DID help aunt Judy get her fake leg loose, but what ran down the other leg started a burning sensation in just 2 minutes. Well, that was what she blamed it on anyway.

gopher321		2012-03-16 10:38:26 PM

My go-to lubricant/oil is Liquid Wrench. Can't go wrong with teflon spray.

Amos Quito		2012-03-16 10:56:53 PM

You can a run a 2 cycle engine on WD40 in place of the gas/oil mix.

VROOM VROOM!!!

/Just spray into carb
//Don't try this at my home
///Or on my stuff

ihopOVERpancakes		2012-03-16 10:59:37 PM

...so all the things I've used WD-40 on?

MaudlinMutantMollusk		2012-03-16 11:40:23 PM

ArkAngel: When something moves and it shouldn't. Then you use duct tape

Came to make sure this had been pointed out

/keep your stick on the ice

Richard Saunders		2012-03-16 11:42:53 PM

ArkAngel: When something moves and it shouldn't. Then you use duct tape

QFT !!!

Question now is, when SHOULDN'T you use duct tape?

/she's still mad about the sticky red marks on her wrists
//country boys will survive

vossiewulf		2012-03-17 12:26:36 AM

I have a small-scale machine shop (Sieg 7x12 lathe, mini mill, etc.) and I use WD-40 all the time. It's the general purpose clean the fark out of anything supply. Yes I use the right real lubricants for moving parts and machining but WD-40 is used more than anything else and I disagree that it will rust parts. I've cleaned zillions of steel parts with it and set them aside for days or weeks without a blemish and I keep my house pretty humid.

Sid_6.7		2012-03-17 12:59:40 AM

FTFA:

WD-40 isn't actually a true lubricant.

Yes it is, moran, it just isn't a heavy-duty lubricant meant for extended use. That's like saying a bicycle "isn't a real means of transportation" because it isn't designed for traversing the Atlantic.

Is Lifehacker full of those people who love shouting "LINO!" all the time?

King Something		2012-03-17 01:04:55 AM

Richard Saunders: ArkAngel: When something moves and it shouldn't. Then you use duct tape

QFT !!!

Question now is, when SHOULDN'T you use duct tape?

Besides the obvious "when it doesn't move but it should" response?

Ducts, amazingly enough. (new window)

9beers		2012-03-17 01:48:47 AM

I always thought it's primary use was as a portable flamethrower.

9beers		2012-03-17 01:50:15 AM

its

Smeggy Smurf		2012-03-17 01:55:00 AM

9beers: I always thought it's primary use was as a portable flamethrower.

Raid works as well. For when the cockroaches really get ferocious

Mildot		2012-03-17 01:58:03 AM

actually, I think they can. Secure the woman with the tape and lube her ass with the ws 40. And gun was had by most...

ArmednHammered		2012-03-17 02:02:22 AM

Sid_6.7: FTFA:

WD-40 isn't actually a true lubricant.

Yes it is, moran, it just isn't a heavy-duty lubricant meant for extended use. That's like saying a bicycle "isn't a real means of transportation" because it isn't designed for traversing the Atlantic.

Is Lifehacker full of those people who love shouting "LINO!" all the time?

No it isn't, it was made to be a water displacing agent to keep Atlas rocket parts from rusting while they sat on the launch pad. They used gallons of the stuff every week wiping down the stainless steel propellant tanks.
/Been there, done that.

Britney Spear's Speculum		2012-03-17 02:05:21 AM

WD-40 isn't a lubricant, it's a solvent.

DRTFA

Deathfrogg		2012-03-17 02:05:28 AM

King Something: Richard Saunders: ArkAngel: When something moves and it shouldn't. Then you use duct tape

QFT !!!

Question now is, when SHOULDN'T you use duct tape?

Besides the obvious "when it doesn't move but it should" response?

Ducts, amazingly enough. (new window)

I was gonna say. Duct tape is probably the worst product you could use on actual furnace ducts. To seal them right, you use mastic.

Now, WD-40 is a great lubricating cleaner. It leaves a film for a while, but will dry out and leave things unprotected. We use it in machine shops to wipe down machines with when shutting down for the day. It breaks down water based coolants on surfaces and prevents them from drying out on the slides, spindles and table.

It's great for cleaning machine tools. Spray it down on a mill table, and it'll prevent rust spots from developing if the thing stands unused for a while. Too many shops just let things get all gnasty with dried coolant and rust under the vises to fester for weeks.

KrispyKritter		2012-03-17 02:05:58 AM

when this will do. it's cheaper.
www.valleywatermillantiques.com

hotlink

Herb Utsmelz		2012-03-17 02:08:22 AM

Don't ever use WD-40 in your car locks. WD-40, and similar petroleum based lubricants can, over time dry into a sticky film that not only inhibits the moving parts inside the lock but also traps the dirt and road grime leading to all sorts of lock failure. If you need to lubricate your auto locks, use a Teflon or silicon based lube.

-according to some locksmith guy (^)

ArmednHammered		2012-03-17 02:10:34 AM

Smeggy Smurf: 9beers: I always thought it's primary use was as a portable flamethrower.

Raid works as well. For when the cockroaches really get ferocious

I prefer a shotgun if I'm in Florida, they're not that bad in California...yet.
/unless you're talking about politicians, then I go for the Raid.

jtown		2012-03-17 02:10:56 AM

Elmo Jones: Suspiciously absent: buttsecks.

I, too, immediately thought of that. You should get help.

krafty420		2012-03-17 02:15:38 AM

My Dad used to WD40 my bike chain every Spring when we'd take it out and put air in the tires. He fancies himself a pretty handy guy so I'll have to be tactful when I tell him the news that he was wrong all the long

Johnny Bananapeel		2012-03-17 02:16:27 AM

Smurfme		2012-03-17 02:20:29 AM

The older I get, the more I find out how dumb I really am.

Bill_Wick's_Friend		2012-03-17 02:21:43 AM

I don't see masturbation on this list.

I'll be in my bunk.

Smeggy Smurf		2012-03-17 02:22:52 AM

jtown: Elmo Jones: Suspiciously absent: buttsecks.

I, too, immediately thought of that. You should get help.

Anal lube works pretty good for bicycle chains. Don't ask any questions and I won't tell you any outrageous lies about how I'm innocent

Herb Utsmelz		2012-03-17 02:23:28 AM

Smurfme		2012-03-17 02:23:40 AM

Bill_Wick's_Friend: I don't see masturbation on this list.

I'll be in my bunk.

What do you think that long skinny red tube is for?

Procedural Texture		2012-03-17 02:24:57 AM

Sid_6.7: [ WD-40 isn't actually a true lubricant. ] Yes it is, moran, it just isn't a heavy-duty lubricant meant for extended use. That's like saying a bicycle "isn't a real means of transportation" because it isn't designed for traversing the Atlantic.

More like saying a bottle rocket isn't a form of transportation.
Which it isn't.
Because it only lasts a short time and then you're left with a non-functional thing.

So, use an actual lubricant.
WD-40 is for cleaning and getting seized parts unstuck.
That is all.

_{/and the flamethrower thing}

Summer Glau's Love Slave		2012-03-17 02:24:58 AM

Cooking.

And sex.

/I need help.

X15		2012-03-17 02:27:31 AM

Always.

Throw that crap out, there's better and cheaper products out there for every single thing it claims to do.

Nuff Said McFarky		2012-03-17 02:29:42 AM

I like PB Blaster better than WD40 for lubing stuck/sticking parts. Kroil is the best spray lubricant/penetrant I've ever used but it can be hard-to-find and expensive, while PB Blaster can be found in just about any hardware or automotive store.

However, if a fastener is seized due to rust, that's when I break out the CRC Freeze-off. That stuff works awesome on rusty nuts and bolts, esp. if you don't have a welder or are working near flammable/easily heat-damaged parts.

/Gearhead living in New England
//You learn to love lube when the ocean's worth of road salt in the winter turns your car into a tetanus infection waiting to happen.
///Huh, huh, I said lube... and penetrate...

Mr. Potatoass		2012-03-17 02:30:34 AM

If memory serves correctly "WD" is for "water displacement".
/Don't know how shiatty the first 39 incarnations of the product were.

cyberspacedout		2012-03-17 02:31:21 AM

Wow. There are people who have used WD-40 on musical instruments. That's just sad.

uber humper		2012-03-17 02:32:57 AM

Smurfme: The older I get, the more I find out how dumb I really am.

But look at the bright side, you're reminded that you are dumb because you learned something.

felching pen		2012-03-17 02:33:06 AM

Ah, hell. That's a short list of everything I have used it for...

uber humper		2012-03-17 02:34:46 AM

cyberspacedout: Wow. There are people who have used WD-40 on musical instruments. That's just sad.

Lets just hope they don't use it on their organ.

DoctorCal		2012-03-17 02:35:48 AM

Smurfme: Bill_Wick's_Friend: I don't see masturbation on this list.

I'll be in my bunk.

What do you think that long skinny red tube is for?

It's for spraying inside things, like your ears.

Somacandra		2012-03-17 02:38:41 AM

The best (new window).

offmymeds		2012-03-17 02:40:17 AM

NEVER use WD-40 as a body spray. This holds especially true for that all-important first date or new job interview.

Somacandra		2012-03-17 02:41:00 AM

Nuff Said McFarky: That stuff works awesome on rusty nuts

Nuff Said McFarky: That stuff works awesome on rusty nuts

Nuff Said McFarky: That stuff works awesome on rusty nuts

Nuff Said McFarky: That stuff works awesome on rusty nuts

foxyshadis		2012-03-17 02:42:02 AM

Smurfme		2012-03-17 02:42:33 AM

Mr. Potatoass: If memory serves correctly "WD" is for "water displacement".
/Don't know how shiatty the first 39 incarnations of the product were.

Wow! You can remember what it said in the article for a whole 35 seconds.

Dahnkster		2012-03-17 02:46:06 AM

Dahnkster		2012-03-17 02:48:49 AM

meanwhile in Asia...

www.jazzviolin.com

_{me love you long time}

Nuff Said McFarky		2012-03-17 02:49:49 AM

Dahnkster: [graphjam.files.wordpress.com image 630x483]

Approves:

interactive.wxxi.org

"If women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy."

foxyshadis		2012-03-17 02:53:40 AM

krafty420: My Dad used to WD40 my bike chain every Spring when we'd take it out and put air in the tires. He fancies himself a pretty handy guy so I'll have to be tactful when I tell him the news that he was wrong all the long

The idea that dirt will get "deeper into the chain" and ruin it is pretty far-fetched; I'm sure it's happened, just as I'm sure chains snap and give people lacerations needing a dozen stitches, too. For everyone else, you spray it off, wipe it off, and then either let it dry and go on with life or spray some real lube on it. Riding with a dry chain isn't going to hurt, although if it's too clean the chain can stick (metal/metal friction) and seize on you now and then, especially if it gets the wrong kind of dirt and grit stuck in it early on.

I mainly use brake pad cleaner because WD-40 just doesn't clean enough for how horribly gunky my chain gets. Ugh. If you've ever owned a motorcycle, you know all about this, and there's no alternative to following up with a proper lube. One seize and you're a stain.

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