WD-40 - What do you use yours for?

[thulfi]

I always see WD40 get mentioned around here. Went to Halfords the other day, and randomly passed it. Thought I'd buy a can.

Now the first place I'm gonna tackle is the top of my forks. Doesn't look too shiny. Then I think I'll give my chain a dose of it, though I've read WD-40's not so good for chains?

So how many other things can WD-40 be used for (I really actually don't know:confused:)?

[lily]

Spray my boots to stop the squeaks ;-)

Drew has washed his bike in it rather than water

[carternd]

Anything that requires oil to lubricate (though maybe not the best solution for chains). Cleaning/de-rusting/degreasing like chain lubed wheels, unseizing the head-bearings on my old bike (hmmm...). Mainly getting black crap off my hands though. Maybe I should replace the Swarfega. Oh, and spray over a lighter for a cool flamethrower.

[Red Herring]

Don't use it on the chain, use proper chain lube instead. You can spray it on most of the metalwork after you've washed it to help dispel the water and stop it corroding. Good for cleaning chain lube off the bodywork as well.

[Rob969]

Spray some onto some kitchen roll or cloth and use on your wheels gets the dirt of really well.

[Dave20046]

I use mine for loosening bolts (so as not to waste my good stuff), desqueaking boots, cleaning stuff etc.

I'm not a big fan of wd40, although here's a list of some of it's uses you may find handy ;)
http://www.wd40.co.uk/media/images/a/8/LIST_OF_2_000_USES.pdf

[thulfi]

whooa Dave, 2000 WD40 uses, haha thats hardcore!

Who would have thought it 'Removes melted sellotape from dining room tables' or 'Removes tomato stains from clothes', lol!

thanks all, handy info. Gonna go WD40 nuts on my wheels in that case.

[Dave20046]

mind the tyres!

Yeah it's good for cleaning stuff (which includes removing sticky residues left by tape etc.), not sure I'd want it near a fresh tattoo though:)

[Dave20046]

water and stop it corroding. l.
I've read wd40 contains acids which will actually cause corrosion themselves. Good at dispersing water but not sure it's supposed to be left on the surface for too long.

[paiste]

I prefer GT85 as it smells much nicer:D

[paiste]

whooa Dave, 2000 WD40 uses, haha thats hardcore!

Who would have thought it 'Removes melted sellotape from dining room tables' or 'Removes tomato stains from clothes', lol!


And how do you get rid of the WD40 stain from the spot where you removed the tomato stain? :confused:

[Dave20046]

And how do you get rid of the WD40 stain from the spot where you removed the tomato stain? :confused:
oops! I somehow read that as tattoo stains

[fizzwheel]

As above for cleaning the wheels, with I give the metalwork frame, exhaust et all a wipe over with it as well.

I dont really use it for anything, else it is a terrible lube, mind you it would be as its not what it was meant for. Its also fricken expensive to clean your chain with compared to parafin that you can buy from B & Q...

Those with squeaky boots, use a Silicone furniture polish, Mr Sheene works much better on them than WD40 does...

[squirrel_hunter]

I use mine as a condiment to many a meal.

Mainly by accident, as if you get some in you mouth when spraying the taste stays with you for sometime...

[Sid Squid]

I use mine as a condiment to many a meal.

Mainly by accident, as if you get some in you mouth when spraying the taste stays with you for sometime...
This is true - sadly I know that taste too.

[timwilky]

I use it to spray on damp HT leads, old fashioned distributor caps etc. I didn't know there was any other use for it!. Must try it on my next donnor, anything to give it some taste

[matt c]

Loosen bolts, clean wheels, get rid of squeaks and creaks, also makes a tasty beverage.

[tigersaw]

After shave

[5hort5]

Two pages and not one "I spray it on my nuts" joke - very disappointing

[Bibio]

i much prefer wurth 2040. we got some 2 5ltr bottles of the stuff about 10 years ago for the workshop. we have 1.5 bottles left. its bloooody good stuff.

[Milky Bar Kid]

I use mine as a condiment to many a meal.

Mainly by accident, as if you get some in you mouth when spraying the taste stays with you for sometime...


You claim to have used WD40 yet have killed how many bikes by forgetting to put oil in then????


*running away*

[Durbs]

So how many other things can WD-40 be used for (I really actually don't know:confused:)?

One summer in my youth, myself and a mate found a lighter and a can of WD-40 makes a great impromptu flamethrower when applied to his neighbours conifers. The whole row of them went up like a towering inferno.

Now i'm all growed up i suggest you DONT use it for that!



(I now use it for cleaning wheels and the odd squirt down the ignition barrel to get rid of moisture)

[EssexDave]

Wake up drink in the morning.

I'm a maannn

[Scoobs]

odd squirt down the ignition barrel to get rid of moisture

I wouldn't recommend it for that.

[punyXpress]

Shot down the filler cap drain. If it doesn't come out the bottom, find out why & FIX IT.
Shot up the front plughole drain. Won't do any harm & may shift some carp.

[CheGuevara]

I do use it for "lubricating" the chain. After years of being anti-WD40 for this purpose I decided to give it a go for myself, and have had no issues. I give it a quick spray (from enough distance that it's not blasting it past the o-rings) and wipe and my chain stays quite clean and is never dry. That said I would definitely use proper lube if I was riding regularly in wet weather or on very long rides.

My decision to give WD a try was after debating with a fellow rider (on a CBR900RR) who as it turns out had managed >50,000kms (and still going strong) of hard/aggressive riding on his original chain and sprockets using only WD, but using it religiously after every ride.

I now believe the lubricating ability (or lack of) of the WD is less important than simply keeping the o-rings from drying, and keeping the chain clean. I'm sure if I had the patience to keep my chain as clean and regularly lubed while using proper chain lube I'd have similar or better results, but for the convenience of a quick spray/wipe of WD, and maybe a dousing of kerosene once or trice a season, I'm happy to stick with the WD.

As a bonus, my rear wheel never requires more than a light wipe to clean.

I also give a light spray of WD on corrodable areas of the bike if it's going to be sitting for a while, and on my hand tools if I've used them in the wet.

It's quite good at keeping dirt/crud from sticking to surfaces as well.

[missyburd]

I'm not a big fan of wd40, although here's a list of some of it's uses you may find handy ;)
http://www.wd40.co.uk/media/images/a/8/LIST_OF_2_000_USES.pdf
2000 uses my ar$e, some of those are repeated! :-P And using full cans as bookends, clearly trying to fill out the numbers there :D


I prefer GT85 as it smells much nicer:D
Got to agree with you there, that stuff is lovely :)

[TonyS]

I spray it in my car and garage locks to stop them freezing up in winter.

Used to race radio controlled cars when younger, found when racing indoors in the winter, that if I sprayed a bit of WD40 on the tyres, the car cornered like it was on rails on hardwood floors enabling me to beat the 4wd cars. :) Unfortunately someone noticed and the practice was banned for fear of marking the sports centre floors.

[Milky Bar Kid]

Your house would be stinking if you used WD40 for all of the things listed!

[keith_d]

Salesman repellent. Anything that smells like real work will keep them at bay!

Oh, and freeing up seized bolts.