WD 40.... Who knew

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infinitymike

Minister of Fire
Aug 23, 2011
1,835
Long Island, NY
What Is The Main Ingredient of WD-40

Before you read to the end, does anybody know what the main ingredient of WD-40?
No Cheating.....

WD-40 ~ Who knew!

I had a neighbor who bought a new pickup.
I got up very early oneSunday morning and saw that someone had spray painted red all around the sides of this beige truck (for some unknown reason).
I went over, woke him up, and told him the bad news.
He was very upset and was trying to figure out what to do ... probably nothing until Monday morning, since nothing was open.
Another neighbor came out and told him to get his WD-40 and clean it off.
It removed the unwanted paint beautifully and did not harm his paint job that was on the truck. I was impressed!

WD-40 who knew?
"Water Displacement #40".
The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts.
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 finally successful for a formulation, with their fortieth attempt, thus WD-40.
The 'Convair Company' bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts.
Ken East (one of the 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 on glass.
It's a miracle!
Then try it on your stove-top.
It's now shinier than it's ever been.
You'll be amazed.

WD-40 Uses:
1. Protects silver from tarnishing.
2. Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4. Gives floor that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery.
5. Keeps the flies off of Cows, Horses, and other Farm Critters, as well. (Ya gotta love this one!!!)
6. Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7. Removes lipstick stains.
8. Loosens stubborn zippers.
9. Untangles jewelry chains.
10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12. Keeps ceramic/terracotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13. Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16. Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on both home and vehicles doors.
18. It removes that nasty tar and scuff marks from the kitchen 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.
19. Remove those nasty bug guts that will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly!
20. Gives a children's playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.
21. Lubricates gearshift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers.
22. Rids kids rocking chair and swings of squeaky noises.
23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.
24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.
26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.
29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.
30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
31. Removes grease splatters from stove-tops.
32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35. Removes all traces of duct tape.
36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.
37. Florida's favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.'
38. The favorite use in the state of New York, it protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.
39. 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.
40. Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.
41. It is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray it on the marks and wipe with a clean rag.
42. 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 rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone!
43. If you spray it inside a wet distributor cap, it will displace the moisture, allowing the engine to start.

P.S.
As for that Basic, Main Ingredient.......
Well.... it's FISH OIL....
 
Myth. Ain't no fish oil in it.
 
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I've gotten a email with like the op a few times. I've heard why it's called WD-40 since I was a kid it seems. My mom sends me so much junk, I'm often on snopes. She believes everything! Lol.
 
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It came in handy for me a couple times.
In my previous life I was a FedEx driver. I was on a route way up in Northern Wisconsin (near UP) and on my way back to terminal. Before leaving area I had to call dispatch to see if there were any pickups. Stopped at the only pay phone in miles (this was before cell phones) and found that some &*%$# had poured something sticky (maybe Coke) on the buttons and they were stuck. Don't know how I thought of it but I had a can of WD40 in truck and sprayed it on keys and it freed them up so I could make my call.

Another time we were on our way down to Florida for vacation. In Chicago area it started raining cats and dogs. My Dodge van started to stall out. I figured wet wires. Coasted to a off ramp. Got out, sprayed WD40 on wires and dist cap and that did the trick. So it pays to carry a can in vehicle.
 
I've gotten a email with like the op a few times. I've heard why it's called WD-40 since I was a kid it seems. My mom sends me so much junk, I'm often on snopes. She believes everything! Lol.


Exactly where I got it from.
Whoops not your mom but mine.
 
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44. Removal of an old can of WD-40 from a garage shelf leaves a nice ring to act as a place holder for PB Blaster.

Haha, I have switched to PB Blast for all of my rusty nut removal needs, but I do keep a can of WD40 around for random things. For instance the fiance and I are using wine and liqour bottles at our wedding for decoration, and have found that WD40 and a scraper blade takes off all of the label and adhesive. I never thought of trying PB Blast, it might do even better, but I LOVE The smell of WD40 for some reason. It's right at the top of my list of favorite scents, along with red cedar and good beer!
 
I have heard (but cannot personally verify) that WD-40 is not a lubricant. It acts as a solvent (and non-conducting water displacer), but not as a lubricant. It may free up lots of things that are stuck, but that doesn't make it a lubricant.
 
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I have heard (but cannot personally verify) that WD-40 is not a lubricant. It acts as a solvent (and non-conducting water displacer), but not as a lubricant. It may free up lots of things that are stuck, but that doesn't make it a lubricant.

I suppose that depends on what you expect a lubricant to do. Water is a lubricant for some things. The wd-40 certainly reduces friction while it is there so I would call it a lubricant. There are other lubricants that last longer, generally more viscous.
 
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I suppose that depends on what you expect a lubricant to do. Water is a lubricant for some things. The wd-40 certainly reduces friction while it is there so I would call it a lubricant. There are other lubricants that last longer, generally more viscous.

While WD40 does have a long list of uses, it's definitely not a lubricant. Yes, it does lubricate things when it's first applied but then after it sits it turns into a gummy varnish. I guess you could call anything wet a lubricant until it starts to dry. Gorilla glue probably does well removing squeaks on moving parts when you first put it on but it's lubrication qualities won't last long. Just my .02
 
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Oh, I still keep WD-40 around, but I use more specialized chemicals for certain tasks.
 
From the Snopes website

Basically solvent and some oil.

As for the claim the "basic ingredient" in WD-40 is "fish oil," it's a common rumor and one that is easily propagated (because cans of WD-40 spray include no ingredients list), but a glance at the composition information included in the Material Safety Data Sheet ((broken link removed to http://www.wd40company.com/files/pdf/msds-wd494716385.pdf)) for WD-40 aerosol indicates the product is primarily petroleum-based, with the main ingredient being "(broken link removed)" (also known as Stoddard Solvent):
  • solvent naphtha petroleum, medium aliphatic, > 60%
  • petroleum base oil as paraffinic distillate, heavy, solvent-dewaxed (severe), 15% to 25%
  • corrosion inhibitor unregulated, 1% to 10%
  • wetting agent unregulated, 1% to 10%
  • fragrance unregulated, 0% to 1%
  • carbon dioxide, 2% to 3%

Read more at http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/wd-40.asp#f4WgvAWhhbZmQ1Ry.99
 
Oh, I still keep WD-40 around, but I use more specialized chemicals for certain tasks.


I with you. I have a miriad of lubes and cleaners and such.
 
I just tried it on the creosote drip on the door below the firebox door..... Nothing:( Still there.

I also tried goo be gone and Rosignols lighter fluid for a Zippo.
Still nothing.
Damn creosote drip.
 
WD-40 last resort Kroil better but best is GIBBS. I have bought Kroil by the 5 gal. can it works really
well for most stuff but Gibbs I think is by far better.A mix of ATF and Acetone 50/50 works as good as anything so they say have not tried so can't say myself.

Whitepine2
 
When I worked under a locksmith in a large school district he'd have a fit if I used it in commercial locks since it would gum up. I like to use a Teflon lube for light applications, ie. TriFlow or similar from Zep.
 
Who here uses or has heard of CRC? Back in the old days working at a AAA garage in HS during the 70's, we always had a can for caps and rainy days (clue).
 
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