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The biggest myth about WD-40 is that it is a lubricant, which is not what it is for. You are much better off lubricating with teflon or silicone based products,

The biggest myth about WD-40 is that it is a lubricant, which is not what it is for. You are much better off lubricating with teflon or silicone based products, 3-in-1 oil, or straight mineral oil. I use WD-40 mostly on my boat for corrosion protection of moving parts.

gameswithgo 7y ago
people looove to say this, we have all heard it, but it does lubricate. if you have a dry bike or motorcycle chain and only wd40 on hand use it, it works. just be sure to get a better chain lubricant quick or keep applying the wd40 every day because it doesn’t stick around very long.
- thescriptkiddie 7y ago
  It is essentially heavy grease dissolved in kerosene. It makes a good cleaner for bare metal parts because unlike soap or de-greaser, it won't strip all of the existing grease off. But the thin layer of grease left behind also doesn't last long, and then you're back to bare metal. With that disclaimer, I frequently use it as a chain lubricant for mountain bikes. You have to reapply it basically after every ride, but you're going to want to do that anyway when your chain gets covered in mud and dirt. On road bikes and motorcycles I always use a dry wax lube that lasts much longer but is difficult to clean off.
- joecool1029 7y ago
  I have used it on motorcycle chains before, it's better than running it dry on a dirtbike but as you said, it won't stick to it. View it as a chain cleaner (like kerosene is used to do). The silicone chain lube is the way to go.
- m463 7y ago
  No no no no. Only in the most limited circumstances, like "Stuck in the backwoods with a rusted bike chain, a can of wd-40 and have to outrun a raging wildebeast..." Putting wd-40 on a bike chain will remove all existing working lubricant. Triflow ftw.
- tedunangst 7y ago
  Salt water does lubricate, too, FYI.
- lm28469 7y ago
  > motorcycle chain As soon as you hit any speed above 5mph it'll just fly away.
barney54 7y ago
One irony is that now WD-40 makes lubricants—such as the WD-40 silicon lubricant on my work bench.
- abakker 7y ago
  And that silicone lubricant works quite nicely!

gameswithgo 7y ago

people looove to say this, we have all heard it, but it does lubricate. if you have a dry bike or motorcycle chain and only wd40 on hand use it, it works. just be sure to get a better chain lubricant quick or keep applying the wd40 every day because it doesn’t stick around very long.

thescriptkiddie 7y ago
It is essentially heavy grease dissolved in kerosene. It makes a good cleaner for bare metal parts because unlike soap or de-greaser, it won't strip all of the existing grease off. But the thin layer of grease left behind also doesn't last long, and then you're back to bare metal. With that disclaimer, I frequently use it as a chain lubricant for mountain bikes. You have to reapply it basically after every ride, but you're going to want to do that anyway when your chain gets covered in mud and dirt. On road bikes and motorcycles I always use a dry wax lube that lasts much longer but is difficult to clean off.
joecool1029 7y ago
I have used it on motorcycle chains before, it's better than running it dry on a dirtbike but as you said, it won't stick to it. View it as a chain cleaner (like kerosene is used to do). The silicone chain lube is the way to go.
m463 7y ago
No no no no. Only in the most limited circumstances, like "Stuck in the backwoods with a rusted bike chain, a can of wd-40 and have to outrun a raging wildebeast..." Putting wd-40 on a bike chain will remove all existing working lubricant. Triflow ftw.
tedunangst 7y ago
Salt water does lubricate, too, FYI.
lm28469 7y ago
> motorcycle chain As soon as you hit any speed above 5mph it'll just fly away.

barney54 7y ago

One irony is that now WD-40 makes lubricants—such as the WD-40 silicon lubricant on my work bench.

abakker 7y ago
And that silicone lubricant works quite nicely!