WD-40

I recently made a chain lube topic, and saw that some people use wd-40 or a combination of a scottoiler and wd-40. I just wanted to let people know (or remind, perhaps) that wd-40 is a SOLVENT, not a lubricant. It will clean things quite well, but after that it acts more like a degreaser than a lubricant.

Preaching to the choir Yellow.

Ditto. For more detailed explanation of why it isnt a good lubricant are:

> Its not very viscous! It wont act like a "barrier" between moving parts in the same way a thicker, dedicated chain lube will.

> Volatility! It will evaporate quite easily, even at moderate tempuratures. With the chain moving, generating heat, the WD-40 will be gone in no time

Matt

P.S correct me if I'm wrong, but this is what i have observed!

I actually use to WD40 to clean my chain, before applying some proper chain gog. (having first made sure all the WD40 is cleaned off also).

WD-40 is ACE and you all know why i get through cans of the stuff!

Originally Posted by kwak zzr

WD-40 is ACE and you all know why i get through cans of the stuff!

But not as chain lube. Good for cleaning a chain, but like paraffin needs to be on a max of 10 mins. IIRC it will start to dissolve the rings if left on. No doubt someone will correct me.

Originally Posted by Yellow650

...wd-40 is a SOLVENT, not a lubricant. It will clean things quite well, but after that it acts more like a degreaser than a lubricant...

Originally Posted by alpinestarhero

Ditto. For more detailed explanation of why it isnt a good lubricant are:

> Its not very viscous! It wont act like a "barrier" between moving parts in the same way a thicker, dedicated chain lube will.

> Volatility! It will evaporate quite easily, even at moderate tempuratures. With the chain moving, generating heat, the WD-40 will be gone in no time

Matt

P.S correct me if I'm wrong, but this is what i have observed!

C'mon now, think there's some dis-information going on here. WD-40 is a combined degreaser/lubricant. That means it has oils and lubricants are mainly disolved in solvents, which act to clean and de-grease parts. The solvents, however are pretty volatile, and evaporate readily at room/garage temperatures, leaving only the lubraicants as residue. That said, all the grime and dirt you disolved wont be evapourating off with the solvents, so unless you apply, clean, then re-apply you're gonna end up with much the same mixture of oils and grime that was there before. As it comes in the can, it's not very viscous, but spray some on your brake disk and tell me it's not a lubricant...(dont try this at home kids...)

Originally Posted by shao

but spray some on your brake disk and tell me it's not a lubricant...(dont try this at home kids...)

Nope its a lubricant all right, not that I have ever accidently sprayed it all over the back tyre, whilst cleaning the swingarm and the wheel and then not cleaned it off properly, or anything stupid like that

Kwak - Have you seen the new "smart straw" cans ? bit more expensive but very good

http://www.wd40.com/Brands/wd40_smart_straw.html

Originally Posted by tricky

Nope its a lubricant all right, not that I have ever accidently sprayed it all over the back tyre, whilst cleaning the swingarm and the wheel and then not cleaned it off properly, or anything stupid like that

Kwak - Have you seen the new "smart straw" cans ? bit more expensive but very good

http://www.wd40.com/Brands/wd40_smart_straw.html

Cool, I keep losing my straws(someone steals them).

My dad makes me spray the end can, the engine casing, the forks, the swingarm and the down pipe with it every time i wash it. I go through a lot of wd40. But he loves it. An actual addict.