4 ms·

Any low viscosity liquid is a lubricant including water, or any small enough solids. WD40 is a lubricant, but a very poor one for folks who have not discovered

Any low viscosity liquid is a lubricant including water, or any small enough solids. WD40 is a lubricant, but a very poor one for folks who have not discovered silicone spray lubricant. That said if all I had was an old can of WD40, I would use it. The funny thing is where I live you can buy “WD40 Lubricant” (silicone). I think many people buy WD40 because, unconsciously or not, the smell brings back memories.

hi_hi 2y ago
Right, and this is probably the important bit, sometimes a poor lubricant is worse than no lubricant, and its really important to understand when something like WD-40 should be used and when it absolutely should not. Let me explain. I ride motorbikes. You don't want to be using WD-40 on the chain as it will strip it of any existing lubricant and dry it out, which as you can imagine, is bad. However, it's actually really useful for cleaning parts of the bike that have been covered in gunk and grease. I have to admire their marketing, as like you mentioned, I grew up in a house where WD40 was used for absolutely anything sticking or squeeking, and so for the longest time also used it to fix those things, and beyond.
- thaumasiotes 2y ago
  > You don't want to be using WD-40 on the chain as it will strip it of any existing lubricant and dry it out, which as you can imagine, is bad. However, it's actually really useful for cleaning parts of the bike that have been covered in gunk and grease. If you asked me to name the part of a bike most likely to be covered in gunk and grease, I'd say the chain. ;p
  - lazide 2y ago
    I think their point was ‘and then use a proper chain lube on the chain or you’ll regret it very quickly’.
therein 2y ago
Speaking of the smell, all these quick WD-40 hacks will leave the room smelling like WD-40 for weeks. I am also surprised he touches the WD-40 with bare hands, it feels impossible to get the smell of my fingers for the longest time.
- progre 2y ago
  I love that smell. I wish there where WD-40 smelling deodorant.

hi_hi 2y ago

Right, and this is probably the important bit, sometimes a poor lubricant is worse than no lubricant, and its really important to understand when something like WD-40 should be used and when it absolutely should not. Let me explain. I ride motorbikes. You don't want to be using WD-40 on the chain as it will strip it of any existing lubricant and dry it out, which as you can imagine, is bad. However, it's actually really useful for cleaning parts of the bike that have been covered in gunk and grease. I have to admire their marketing, as like you mentioned, I grew up in a house where WD40 was used for absolutely anything sticking or squeeking, and so for the longest time also used it to fix those things, and beyond.

thaumasiotes 2y ago
> You don't want to be using WD-40 on the chain as it will strip it of any existing lubricant and dry it out, which as you can imagine, is bad. However, it's actually really useful for cleaning parts of the bike that have been covered in gunk and grease. If you asked me to name the part of a bike most likely to be covered in gunk and grease, I'd say the chain. ;p
- lazide 2y ago
  I think their point was ‘and then use a proper chain lube on the chain or you’ll regret it very quickly’.

therein 2y ago

Speaking of the smell, all these quick WD-40 hacks will leave the room smelling like WD-40 for weeks. I am also surprised he touches the WD-40 with bare hands, it feels impossible to get the smell of my fingers for the longest time.

progre 2y ago
I love that smell. I wish there where WD-40 smelling deodorant.