jasongilbert

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!

phantomcow2

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

roadfix

I use it to degrease my filthy drivetrain.

EuroJosh

It's a great solivent.

KrisPistofferson

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.

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.

Just remember that grit and oily lube makes for a great abrasive.

genericbikedude

Its bad for children and other living things.

roadfix

How does it perform in wet conditions?
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.

HillRider

I used to lube my chain just that way and, indeed, it was extremely clean. Unfortunately, it was a poor lube and dreadful if the chain got wet. I had to repeat the procedure about every week or 10 days and that was a lot of work for little benefit.

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.

bbattle

+1 True words of wisdom.

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)

Bikebros

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.

helvetica

I use lube used for guns.

PAbeerman

Me too, BREAKFREE works well as far as I'm concerned. Automotive brake cleaner makes a good chain cleaner/degreaser.

michaelnel

WD40 sure smells good!

Bob S.

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

roadfix

More on this stuff:

https://www.hoosierheart.com/wd40.htm

Moose

I am pretty sure wd40 is not water based.

genericbikedude

TheOtherGuy

It's NOT water based. It is excellent for its formulated purpose; a Water Dispersant (Water Dispersant, formula 40). It's mostly a solvent, with a very light oil. It works great for removing water and stopping immediate rusting of freshly washed/degreased ferric metals. My favorite thing to use after washing/degreasing engine blocks, just prior to assembly.

ollo_ollo

WD40 also makes a great starting fluid for diesel engines & no risk of damage as there is with ether.

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.

KrisPistofferson

It's great for cleaning a chain, but the oil is not heavy enough to lube a chain. Any lubrication it is giving your drivtrain evaporates in a day, at most.

shaq-d

wd-40 doesn't evaporate off your chain in a day. this is easy to test, just do it.

sd

KrisPistofferson

If you're riding on it, yes, yes it does.

Raiyn

It's WORTHLESS as a lubricant as far as bikes are concerned. Hell, I use Boeshield instead of WD40 for my household use as well.
Works better, lasts longer.