4 ms·

I also hate WD-40 as a product because it's marginally useless as a lubricant or as a penetrating oil when there are far better products for each use.

written-beyond 2y ago
I sprayed it near my squeaky bike brake hinge thinking it would remove the squeak. I now know I was an idiot and completely ruined the bike's brakes.
- TomK32 2y ago
  Brake cleaner for diskbrakes unless it's a sound of metal on metal and you have to replace the brake pads. And for rim brakes if there's a metal sound a stone is stuck in the rubber part of the brakes, either get it out or replace as well if it's already worn down a fair bit.
- Lionga 2y ago
  Just be happy you learned that lesson on a bike and not on a car
fnord77 2y ago
It's excellent for Water Displacement, which is what its purpose actually is. Such as if you have ignition wires soaked with water and shorted, it will get you going again.
- rzzzt 2y ago
  It's a brand name now, they also sell grease.
- Bluestein 2y ago
  Me wonders - remembering the recent here post about the flooded underground silo with electronics - could it be flooded with WD-40 instead of water?
  - adrianN 2y ago
    The common recommendation is to flood wet electronics first with distilled water and then with isopropyl alcohol
  - DiggyJohnson 2y ago
    That comment has been living in my head rent free all week. The author of that post was good with imagery.
dghughes 2y ago
I'd say because it's not a lubricant it's penetrating oil, anti rust, anti moisture (its original purpose). And even when used as that most people I'd guess don't shake the can, a long shake, as required.
_heimdall 2y ago
I have much better luck with PB Blaster. I can't count how many rusty old nuts and bolts I sprayed with WD-40 only to have to follow it up with PB Blaster to get the job done.
- api_or_ipa 2y ago
  PB Blaster is the product everyone thinks WD-40 is. Even still, I wouldn’t use it in the place of real oil/grease/lubricant but in a pinch it’s far better than WD-40 for those odd chores.
  - _heimdall 2y ago
    For sure. PB Blaster is my go-to when I find a bolt on my truck that hasn't been touched since it left the factory in '88. Its a quick fix for a stuck bolt, but still not a great solution for a squeaky door hinge.
fullstop 2y ago
They (WD-40 brand) do sell a penetrating oil: https://www.wd40.com/products/penetrating-oil/ https://www.wd40.com/products/penetrating-oil/

written-beyond 2y ago

I sprayed it near my squeaky bike brake hinge thinking it would remove the squeak. I now know I was an idiot and completely ruined the bike's brakes.

TomK32 2y ago
Brake cleaner for diskbrakes unless it's a sound of metal on metal and you have to replace the brake pads. And for rim brakes if there's a metal sound a stone is stuck in the rubber part of the brakes, either get it out or replace as well if it's already worn down a fair bit.
Lionga 2y ago
Just be happy you learned that lesson on a bike and not on a car

fnord77 2y ago

It's excellent for Water Displacement, which is what its purpose actually is. Such as if you have ignition wires soaked with water and shorted, it will get you going again.

rzzzt 2y ago
It's a brand name now, they also sell grease.
Bluestein 2y ago
Me wonders - remembering the recent here post about the flooded underground silo with electronics - could it be flooded with WD-40 instead of water?
- adrianN 2y ago
  The common recommendation is to flood wet electronics first with distilled water and then with isopropyl alcohol
- DiggyJohnson 2y ago
  That comment has been living in my head rent free all week. The author of that post was good with imagery.

dghughes 2y ago

I'd say because it's not a lubricant it's penetrating oil, anti rust, anti moisture (its original purpose). And even when used as that most people I'd guess don't shake the can, a long shake, as required.

_heimdall 2y ago

I have much better luck with PB Blaster. I can't count how many rusty old nuts and bolts I sprayed with WD-40 only to have to follow it up with PB Blaster to get the job done.

api_or_ipa 2y ago
PB Blaster is the product everyone thinks WD-40 is. Even still, I wouldn’t use it in the place of real oil/grease/lubricant but in a pinch it’s far better than WD-40 for those odd chores.
- _heimdall 2y ago
  For sure. PB Blaster is my go-to when I find a bolt on my truck that hasn't been touched since it left the factory in '88. Its a quick fix for a stuck bolt, but still not a great solution for a squeaky door hinge.

fullstop 2y ago

They (WD-40 brand) do sell a penetrating oil: https://www.wd40.com/products/penetrating-oil/ https://www.wd40.com/products/penetrating-oil/