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Most of us have a can of WD-40 in our storeroom, garage, or workshop. Do you spray it on everything? We grab it after hearing a door squeak, and then we carry the can around spraying it on everything else we think might squeak. It’s not a good idea.
WD-40 is good for many things, but it is also poor for many things. Here’s what you should know.
WD-40 is more a solvent than a lubricant. It evaporates quickly and it is thin, making it great for freeing up parts that are rusted together and for cleaning metal. This same characteristic makes it poor for door hinges because it doesn’t last long.
WD-40 is great for:
- Shovel lube. Have you tried this? Spray your shovel, hoe, or trowel with a light coating of WD-40. Suddenly digging got a lot easier. WD-40 is not a weedkiller but don’t get it directly on plantings.
- Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
- Unsticks things like labels and gum.
- Removes crayon marks from toys, flooring, and walls.
- Makes a great general metal and scuff cleaner.
- Unsticks flower pots.
- Removes surface rust from metals.
- Removes paint from tile.
- Keep wasps from building nests under the eaves (they don’t like the smell of WD-40).
- Wipe lightly on door frames and windowsills to keep insects — especially spiders — from coming in.
- It’s a good water proofer for leather boots.
What not to use WD-40 for:
- Door hinges. The very thing that you did this morning, and then walked around the entire house spraying it on all the door hinges. Why not? First, it doesn’t last. Second, it will clean any dirt from inside the hinge and drip it as dark grimy grease in a line coming off the hinge and run down your woodwork on the frame. What should you use? Silicone spray.
- Bicycle chains. WD-40 works well as a solvent to clean chains, but it doesn’t leave any lubrication on them for the long bike ride you’re about to take over to the park. After you cleaned up your chain, then use chain lube with Teflon.
- Locks. WD-40 can cause wear and tear in the pin tumblers of your locks, even getting them jammed. What to use on locks? Graphite. You can get a dry lube spray or you can get it in a small can. Silicone works well on locks also.
- Electronics. WD-40 can cause plastic to break down. What to use: silicone displaces moisture in electronics. Silicone is also great for door tracks, zippers, and scuff marks.
- Guns. I don’t recommend using WD-40 on firearms. As a light solvent it will clean them, and that’s okay as long as you get that solvent off when you’re done. WD-40 can attract dirt and leave the surface feeling greasy. Use oil that is formulated for oiling your specific firearm. For cleaning the bore, use what the manufacturer recommends over WD-40. The reason is that the solvent in WD-40 dries fast and may not protect the bore from rust.
I recommend keeping a variety of lubricant sprays in your cupboard. Include WD-40 or penetrant spray as a cleaner and solvent; silicone spray for hinges, rollers, and sliders; and chain lube for garage door chains, rollers, and for bicycle chains. Always use what the manufacturer of your item says to use.
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Columnist Lisa Turner is a local engineer, building contractor, and former home inspector. Lisa can be reached by email at Lisa@Lisaturner.com