Bicycle Mechanics - WD40 as degreaser?

Folks I have a can of WD40 and would like to use it as a degreaser. My Question is can I use it as a degreaser on my bike chain and NOT affect the bike paint in case of leak or something?

Thanks in advance!:)

WD40 is basically Kerosene with a little water-displacing (hence the "WD") lube in it. It should not harm any bike paint.

Works just swell as a degreaser. Also does a pretty good job of cleaning off caked on gunk. Your bike will be just as pretty as it was before, worry you not.

I have heard that WD-40 will cause accelerated chain wear BUT I have been using it for more than ten years, it works great and I have not noticed any negative side effects.

Oh man, not another WD40 thread......

Use the search function and you will see all kinds of opinions.

WD-40 is an excellent degreaser and cleaner. Clean the chain with it, but use a good chain lube after it.

Thanks to everyone!!!!! Enjoy your day n GOD BLESS!!!!

:winter:

I have heard that WD-40 will cause accelerated chain wear BUT I have been using it for more than ten years, it works great and I have not noticed any negative side effects.
One LAST WD-40 comment. :)

WD-40 won't CAUSE accelerated chain wear but will ALLOW it as it is a poor lubricant. If it's all you use it must be applied very frequently and probably works adequately only if you ride in dry, clean conditions.

Using it as a cleaner is ok, if unnecessarily expensive, since straight kerosene or mineral spirits work just as well and are a lot cheaper. Always follow any of these with a good chain lube.

Oh man, not another WD40 thread......

Use the search function and you will see all kinds of opinions.
Over 2500 threads mention WD40 :eek:.

One LAST WD-40 comment. :)

WD-40 won't CAUSE accelerated chain wear but will ALLOW it as it is a poor lubricant.....Using it as a cleaner is ok, if unnecessarily expensive, since straight kerosene or mineral spirits work just as well and are a lot cheaper. Always follow any of these with a good chain lube.

+1 on this. Kerosene works just as well and is ALOT less toxic. My choice of lube: soak the chain for 24 hours in 90 WT gear oil after cleaning.

i love the WD-40. plain and simple. just amke sure you wash up well after using it so that you can use a more effective lube. or just buy plain kerosene, which is serious stuff! and cheaper than some branded rubbish one can now purchase for the purpose. methyl (or any other) alcoholsare also useful, but some types can leave residues..so the after-wash aspect is always important.

+1 on this. Kerosene works just as well and is ALOT less toxic. My choice of lube: soak the chain for 24 hours in 90 WT gear oil after cleaning.

I tried 90W gear lube *once*. It made the chain dead quiet, and seemed to be the ultimate lube, but in my hot, dry climate, it turned the chain into a big roll of flypaper. I was astounded at the number and size of the chunks of debris that stuck to my chain. I'm thinking it might be the ultimate for riding in seriously wet conditions, but I would not use it for normal riding again.

I tried 90W gear lube *once*. It made the chain dead quiet, and seemed to be the ultimate lube, but in my hot, dry climate, it turned the chain into a big roll of flypaper. I was astounded at the number and size of the chunks of debris that stuck to my chain. I'm thinking it might be the ultimate for riding in seriously wet conditions, but I would not use it for normal riding again.
I think there was a step left out of the instructions to soak the chain for 24 hours in 90W gear oil. That is, after removing the chain from the oil, wipe ALL of the excess lube off of the chain's exterior.

I use WD-40 to clean any tough grime on my bike, including the drive train. But it's not really a lube so, as others have mentioned, use the appropriate lube(s) afterward.

WD-40 can be used as a chain cleaner but it IS NOT a true degreaser since it has a lubricant in it. For serious degreasing such as wanted prior to painting use a citrus degreaser and wash thoroughly after to remove all residue. I have not heard of WD-40 damaging paint but would remove any overspray reasonably promptly.

I have not heard of WD-40 damaging paint but would remove any overspray reasonably promptly.

From the instruction sheet that comes with J. P. Weigle's Frame Saver:
"For cleanup, use a little WD40 on a soft cloth to wipe off dried FRAME SAVER."

So it would appear J. P. Weigle's has confidence it won't hurt paint.

i use charcoal starter, like kingsford et al. Works great. I started using it because its cheaper than wd-40, has less of a smell and leaves less residue on your hands. Just like wd-40, it gets off all that gunk that "degreasers" won't. I believe the wd (water displacement) chemicals added to wd-40 are unneseccary for applications like degreasing bicycle parts, so get those chemicals out of your life and just use starter fluid.