Isn't WD40 bad?
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Isn't WD40 bad?
I see a lot of talk about wd40 in the forums, which surprises me.
I was told one time that wd40 is not all that great for two reason:
1) is it water based so it can actually promote rust over the long term
2) it is thin so it doesn't last long
I was under the impression that it is fine for stopping squeeks in the doors in your house and cleaning less important stuff, but not something you want on your drivetrain.
True/false? ready . . . mark. . . go!
I was told one time that wd40 is not all that great for two reason:
1) is it water based so it can actually promote rust over the long term
2) it is thin so it doesn't last long
I was under the impression that it is fine for stopping squeeks in the doors in your house and cleaning less important stuff, but not something you want on your drivetrain.
True/false? ready . . . mark. . . go!
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Its not bad. But its not a chain lube, which is what you hear a lot on this forum. YOu also hear to spray it into the frame of a steel tube to prevent rust
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It's fine for what it is, which is to degrease/derust and unstick rusty parts. Some minor lubrication, like seatpost, on a bicycle is fine, but it IS NOT chain lube, nor is it bearing grease. The stuff is thin and evaporates. I know some of you swear by it, and some of you are not even trolling when you post this stuff, but seriously, to all n00bs, don't use it to lube your chain, headset or bottom bracket. That way lies madness.
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Originally Posted by The Fixer
I use it to degrease my filthy drivetrain.
I can run a white glove along my drivetrain, and not get more then a few errant specks of dirt.
Just remember that grit and oily lube makes for a great abrasive.
#8
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Originally Posted by Bikepacker67
Am I the ONLY one here that sticks my chain in melted paraffin/beeswax?
I can run a white glove along my drivetrain, and not get more then a few errant specks of dirt.
I can run a white glove along my drivetrain, and not get more then a few errant specks of dirt.
I normally use dry lube here and my drivetrain stays fairly clean to the touch, but most of my riding is under fairly dry conditions.
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Originally Posted by Bikepacker67
Am I the ONLY one here that sticks my chain in melted paraffin/beeswax?
I can run a white glove along my drivetrain, and not get more then a few errant specks of dirt.
I can run a white glove along my drivetrain, and not get more then a few errant specks of dirt.
Cleanliness may be next to Godliness but chains aren't Godly.
One more comment; WD40 is not "water based". The solvent/carrier is a light Kerosene petroleum fraction.
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Originally Posted by krispistoferson
It's fine for what it is, which is to degrease/derust and unstick rusty parts. Some minor lubrication, like seatpost, on a bicycle is fine, but it IS NOT chain lube, nor is it bearing grease. The stuff is thin and evaporates. I know some of you swear by it, and some of you are not even trolling when you post this stuff, but seriously, to all n00bs, don't use it to lube your chain, headset or bottom bracket. That way lies madness.
WD40 works fine as a solvent to clean your chain and gears but not to lubricate and I don't trust it to prevent rust, either.
Kerosene works very well as a solvent too, but it doesn't come in a convenient spray can.
Vote for Pedro (chain wax)
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I like WD40 for putting on grips. It seems to have magical properties for that.
Urban Legend says it helps sooth arthritic joints so I bathe in it when I feel achy - just have to remember not to smoke my pipe while bathing.
Urban Legend says it helps sooth arthritic joints so I bathe in it when I feel achy - just have to remember not to smoke my pipe while bathing.
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Originally Posted by helvetica
I use lube used for guns.
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I generally don't use it. A few years ago, I used it to clean some coin mechinisms. The darn things stopped working a few days later. I took them into the service center (Coinco) & was told that the mechs failed because I used the WD40 on them. They further told me that WD40 can be detrimental to some types of plastice. They also told me that it residue that it left attracted dirt. Ever since that experience, I have shyed away from the stuff. Bob
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Originally Posted by jasongilbert
...1) is it water based so it can actually promote rust over the long term...
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WD40 also makes a great starting fluid for diesel engines & no risk of damage as there is with ether.
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I'm missing something here. I can understand why you NEVER use it in BB's and Hubs, but why not chains? I've been cleaning my chain with WD 40 on a RAG for maybe 20 years and haven't notice a problem. I do wipe as much excess of with a clean RAG as possible.
Steve.
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Originally Posted by giantcfr1
I'm missing something here. I can understand why you NEVER use it in BB's and Hubs, but why not chains? I've been cleaning my chain with WD 40 on a RAG for maybe 20 years and haven't notice a problem. I do wipe as much excess of with a clean RAG as possible.
Steve.
Steve.
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If you're riding on it, yes, yes it does.
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