6 ms·

>The WD part of the name was descriptive for what the coating did to Water, which was Displace it, and it took the company 40 tries to get it right. I bet you c

>The WD part of the name was descriptive for what the coating did to Water, which was Displace it, and it took the company 40 tries to get it right. I bet you can figure it out from there Smells like marketing to me, it just doesn't need 40 attempts to come up with a simple mix of kerosene and mineral oil. I bet the old timers used to mix their own variations long before WD-40 came on the scene. https://www.wired.com/2009/04/st-whatsinside-6/ https://www.wired.com/2009/04/st-whatsinside-6/

maxerickson 7y ago
It doesn't seem ridiculous that they would have tested dozens of variations for different properties.
analog31 7y ago
Well, even if it did nothing else, a mixture of kerosene and oil would displace water. I find it to be handy, but don't ascribe any magical properties to it. And when it runs out, I might find a better way to dispense it, that doesn't get the overspray on my garage floor.
spicybbq 7y ago
It contains a lot of solvent (kerosene) and a smaller amount of light lubricant. One problem is that it tends to wash away heavier greases and oils that provide more persistent lubrication to things like hinges and bike chains. Then, the light lubricant is not very persistent. It can flow out of where you put it, leaving streaks, and it attracts dust. I mostly use it to clean parts before using a proper lubricant. A much better light spray lubricant is Tri-Flow.
- mturmon 7y ago
  > ... mostly use it to clean parts ... Yep. I just used some to clean shipping grease from a cast iron table of a machine tool. Worked great, and less volatile than paint thinner/mineral spirits.
- pengaru 7y ago
  Same, I find it very effective for cleaning/degreasing parts without bringing real degreasers/soaps/water into the picture. It's also really useful for spraying down bicycle/motorcycle chains after they get wet to prevent rusting. But it does require some fresh lube after things dry off.
  - spicybbq 7y ago
    I put some WD40 on a blue paper towel and wipe the outside of my bike chain with it, then use a bike-specific lube (Rock n Roll Gold).
    - pengaru 7y ago
      Do you mean in general routine maintenance or for when it's exposed to water?
samatman 7y ago
Unlikely: they mix 39 variations serially, testing and rejecting each one. The 40th works. Likely: they mix up a bunch of batches of various proportions and test them. Either the one labelled 40 is the best, or (my bet) there were 40 variations and they thought it was good marketing.

maxerickson 7y ago

It doesn't seem ridiculous that they would have tested dozens of variations for different properties.

analog31 7y ago

Well, even if it did nothing else, a mixture of kerosene and oil would displace water. I find it to be handy, but don't ascribe any magical properties to it. And when it runs out, I might find a better way to dispense it, that doesn't get the overspray on my garage floor.

spicybbq 7y ago

It contains a lot of solvent (kerosene) and a smaller amount of light lubricant. One problem is that it tends to wash away heavier greases and oils that provide more persistent lubrication to things like hinges and bike chains. Then, the light lubricant is not very persistent. It can flow out of where you put it, leaving streaks, and it attracts dust. I mostly use it to clean parts before using a proper lubricant. A much better light spray lubricant is Tri-Flow.

mturmon 7y ago
> ... mostly use it to clean parts ... Yep. I just used some to clean shipping grease from a cast iron table of a machine tool. Worked great, and less volatile than paint thinner/mineral spirits.
pengaru 7y ago
Same, I find it very effective for cleaning/degreasing parts without bringing real degreasers/soaps/water into the picture. It's also really useful for spraying down bicycle/motorcycle chains after they get wet to prevent rusting. But it does require some fresh lube after things dry off.
- spicybbq 7y ago
  I put some WD40 on a blue paper towel and wipe the outside of my bike chain with it, then use a bike-specific lube (Rock n Roll Gold).
  - pengaru 7y ago
    Do you mean in general routine maintenance or for when it's exposed to water?

samatman 7y ago

Unlikely: they mix 39 variations serially, testing and rejecting each one. The 40th works. Likely: they mix up a bunch of batches of various proportions and test them. Either the one labelled 40 is the best, or (my bet) there were 40 variations and they thought it was good marketing.