Lube your chain with WD-40?
#26
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I would not recommend it unless it is an emergency and/or that is all that you have. It will work to some extent but there are better products available. Any good spray lube that is really a lube will also have a little red tube that will help get it into the little hole.
But, wonder how that would compare to using oil in a hub? Been a long time since I had hubs with oil ports (nothing but grease in those hubs) so I won't be trying this out.
Fully agree that there are better products available.
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#27
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How many times does it have to be said before it sinks in? It says in WD-40's own literature that it is a light lubricant. Nope, that the best lubricant for many uses, but it IS intended to lubricate after the solvent evaporates. That's the whole idea behind WD40.... a light lubricant in a solvent carrier.
- Mark
- Mark
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For what it's worth from the old guy. I used WD-40 to rense the dirt and metal from chain. Let it set and wipe thoroughly.
It's a solvent more than lubricant. Next I applied White Lighting. A self-cleaning wax lubricant. Let it work in and wipe off excess.
Lightening is dry wax and the chain looks and is clean. You'll have a new look. Lightning attracks the least amount of dirt. As I said, from the old guy I've used this combo for 25 years. This chain is original. Is dirty and has 10,000 miles on it. Not hard riding but frequent.
It's a solvent more than lubricant. Next I applied White Lighting. A self-cleaning wax lubricant. Let it work in and wipe off excess.
Lightening is dry wax and the chain looks and is clean. You'll have a new look. Lightning attracks the least amount of dirt. As I said, from the old guy I've used this combo for 25 years. This chain is original. Is dirty and has 10,000 miles on it. Not hard riding but frequent.
Last edited by kentlasd; 09-03-12 at 02:38 AM. Reason: spelling error
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op - cool - thanks for sharing
#30
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have used WD-40 for years, especially after riding in the rain, slushy or snow sloppy conditions - taking advantage of the WD aspect of this product. a light spray and wipe off with a rag or paper towel keeps the rust at bay, plus it seems to allow the real lube to penetrate better.
another useful product for chain upkeep is Hoppes no 9, a lightly dampened rag with no 9 rubbed over the chain or deraileur parts will help clean the gunk off - it really works.
another useful product for chain upkeep is Hoppes no 9, a lightly dampened rag with no 9 rubbed over the chain or deraileur parts will help clean the gunk off - it really works.
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Why would you use WD40 as lube, it's more expensive than a lot of others real lubes. They are like the maglites, of lubes.
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We may malign WD40, but they are stepping up to rescue the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross:
https://velonews.competitor.com/2012/...in-2012_237645
https://velonews.competitor.com/2012/...in-2012_237645
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I'm anxious to see how it works. The company has lots more experience than most of the businesses that sell lube now. From their website:
WD-40 BIKE is a subsidiary business unit focused exclusively on cycling-specific maintenance products.
WD-40 BIKE will offer an initial product range including wet and dry chain lubricants, a heavy-duty degreaser, a foaming bike wash and a frame protectant.
The WD-40 BIKE line was developed over the past 12 months in collaboration with WD-40 scientists, professional bike mechanics and bicycle retailers.
WD-40 BIKE is a subsidiary business unit focused exclusively on cycling-specific maintenance products.
WD-40 BIKE will offer an initial product range including wet and dry chain lubricants, a heavy-duty degreaser, a foaming bike wash and a frame protectant.
The WD-40 BIKE line was developed over the past 12 months in collaboration with WD-40 scientists, professional bike mechanics and bicycle retailers.
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And he has a framed UBI diploma on the wall, all I can figure is it stands for "UnBox, Install.
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#36
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I work with a guy that once told me WD-40 was "food grade", meaning it could be used on equipment that processes food. He even sprayed a shot in his mouth as proof.
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But..... It consists of a carrier , which is believed to be a stoddard solvent (mineral spirts) and a mineral oil based light lube plus the propellent (which has changed over the years). The carrier/solvent evaporates over time and leaves behind the mineral oil as a lube/coating.
Basically your lubing with mineral oil for better or worse.
#39
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WD-40 is the reason I won't use my LBS that opened here a couple years ago. I stopped and looked at an old columbia sa 3 speed he was selling for 300 bucks, and as I was on one of my SA AW hubbed bikes the owner and I talked about them a little. I asked if he had seviced the hub(300$!!! I figured he must have done something)and he told me he had "sprayed damn near half a can of wd-40 in there, but it won't go into second. Thats ok though, you don't need that gear". He went on to tell me that the oil port in a IG hub was made for the red tube that comes with a WD-40 can.
And he has a framed UBI diploma on the wall, all I can figure is it stands for "UnBox, Install.
And he has a framed UBI diploma on the wall, all I can figure is it stands for "UnBox, Install.
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have used WD-40 for years, especially after riding in the rain, slushy or snow sloppy conditions - taking advantage of the WD aspect of this product. a light spray and wipe off with a rag or paper towel keeps the rust at bay, plus it seems to allow the real lube to penetrate better.
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This is bound to lead to confusion or in my case laughter.
https://www.bikerumor.com/2012/08/28/...other-goodies/
https://www.bikerumor.com/2012/08/28/...other-goodies/
#42
Senior Member
So funny reading all the people that are anti WD, im no expert on lube (for bikes ) by any means but all the claims of saying it is a solvent and not a lubricant, and or it attracts dirt. its just so repetitive, somehow knowing "wd-40 stands for water displacer attempt #40" makes them know it is an inferior product.
Seems like the people that are for, or even neutral about wd40 speak from personal experience of it meeting their needs. most of the WD bashing sounds like it was read off a competing brand website, or from another thread in which everyone agreed with each other.
hope no one ran out of popcorn...
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The Company had a booth at the Las Vegas Interbike trade show. They developed a new line of products for the bike market. Its not the same as the WD-40 that you get from Home Depot.
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1. Clean chain.
2. Spray WD-40, allow it to do its aforementioned job.
3. Wipe chain, lube, wipe chain again.
4. ???
5. Profit.
Seriously though, these products look like chain lube, degreaser, car/bike soap and car/bike wax...nothing new really.
2. Spray WD-40, allow it to do its aforementioned job.
3. Wipe chain, lube, wipe chain again.
4. ???
5. Profit.
Seriously though, these products look like chain lube, degreaser, car/bike soap and car/bike wax...nothing new really.
#47
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This isn't rocket science for any of the manufacturers.
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Have you tried Boeshield? It's specifically designed for that purpose (I use it on my expensive blades (swords and knives) when they go into storage).
#49
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As a youngster I used 3in1 oil for bike chain lube because that's what dad had in the toolbox. The chain got pretty cruddy. Years later I started using WD40 on my motorcycle chain. I don't remember why I started but the chains always seemed to stay relatively clean and lasted a long time. My motorcycle has a belt now, but I still use it on my bicycle chain.
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yesterday I heard that Pam cooking spray would work OK ...