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-   -   WD-40 uses (https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/554256-wd-40-uses.html)

kris cho 06-21-09 11:51 PM

WD-40 uses
 
i just got my WD-40 to clean the rust off...and it worked just fine.

But i also wanna clean rust off on my gear cable. How should use the WD-40??

chephy 06-21-09 11:54 PM

It's probably best to replace a rusted cable.

lil brown bat 06-22-09 05:01 AM

I use it to loosen up sticky hinges when I need to take a door off its hinges. It's also good for certain types of window hardware and sticky door locks. I don't use it on a bicycle.

making 06-22-09 05:14 AM

I could use some water displacement today. Like for my socks.

supercycle62 06-22-09 05:14 AM


Originally Posted by lil brown bat (Post 9143726)
I use it to loosen up sticky hinges when I need to take a door off its hinges. It's also good for certain types of window hardware and sticky door locks. I don't use it on a bicycle.

Never ever use it to lubricate your chain as it will actually remove any lubricant that is on there already and make the chain dry. It is really a cleaner. I think it was originally developed in the 1940'-50's to clean electro-mechanical parts. I would just replace the old rusty cable.

stringbreaker 06-22-09 06:29 AM

It takes black marks off vinyl flooring in a snap

AEO 06-22-09 06:46 AM

gets adhesive off of of surfaces.

rusted cables = replace
stuck cable = WD-40 in the housing, there's a youtube how to video for cable maintenance.

DallasSoxFan 06-22-09 07:42 AM

To clean grit of my chain and sprockets, I take my bike out back and blast it with a garden hose. After the majority of the grit is off, I spray down the parts with water-displacement formula 40 to, well, displace the water. After that, I wipe the excess with a rag. After that, I lube with quality chain lube and wipe the excess with a rag.

havm66z 06-22-09 07:47 AM

It kills cockroaches really fast.

But stinks.

SlimAgainSoon 06-22-09 07:59 AM

True -- it is hell on bugs.

rumrunn6 06-22-09 08:08 AM

Kills bugs? Great! But if any get away with a partial inhalation - wouldn't that help morph future generations into super bugs that become resistant to WD40. Then we';ll just have to invent bigger and better chemicals to keep their numbers down.

I hate the smell of WD40 - it seems to linger forever. Resist using it indoors.

+1 for replacing the rusty cable and cable housing!

I wore waterproof hiking boots to ride in the rain today - they seemed to do the trick! Just wish I had a clothing hanger to dry my shirt.

making 06-22-09 08:11 AM

I jsut went to the store and bought dry socks. Wet socks drive me nuts. Dont much care about anything else.

mechanicalron 06-22-09 08:20 AM

WD-40 is good to make pad locks rusty and jamed up and I NEVER use it on my chain.

rumrunn6 06-22-09 08:31 AM

a few years ago I wore old socks for a nasty commute in the rain. by time I got to the office they were so grunged up and were old enough that I just threw them out!

Crank57 06-22-09 08:55 AM

Had a soccer coach once that sprayed WD-40 on muscle cramps. Seemed to work. She was a doctor's daughter and said he told her about this.
- None of the kids were squeaky after treatment either.

rumrunn6 06-22-09 08:58 AM

1 Attachment(s)
Nice one, and my brother met Paul Bunyan too ...

ItsJustMe 06-22-09 09:23 AM

Whatever you use it on, make sure to wait for it to dry then lubricate, because the WD-40 will drive off both the water and the lubricant.

I'm with the others here; if a cable is rusty, it's probably time to replace it.

mechanicalron 06-22-09 09:38 AM


Originally Posted by ItsJustMe (Post 9144799)
Whatever you use it on, make sure to wait for it to dry then lubricate, because the WD-40 will drive off both the water and the lubricant.

I'm with the others here; if a cable is rusty, it's probably time to replace it.

:thumb: +1!

DX Rider 06-22-09 10:38 AM


Originally Posted by lil brown bat (Post 9143726)
I use it to loosen up sticky hinges when I need to take a door off its hinges. It's also good for certain types of window hardware and sticky door locks. I don't use it on a bicycle.

A bike mechanic that I know who has been in the business for 40+ years once told me to never use WD-40 on a bike, especially the chain. I've followed his advice.

jeffpoulin 06-22-09 12:09 PM

I use WD40 to clean my chain. That is, I spray some on a rag, then wipe the WD40 soaked rag on my chain to clean off the grime, wipe the chain down with a dry rag, then lube it with finish line chain lubricant.

I know some people say to never use WD40 on a bicycle, but I was just wondering if it was okay to use it as a cleaner like this. If not, how do you recommend one cleans their chain?

DX Rider 06-22-09 12:32 PM

Using WD-40 in that sense may not be too bad, from what my mechanic friend told me I gathered he was talking more about leaving the WD-40 in place. Some people treat WD-40 as a lubricant and it's really not.

I use a common household degreaser spray to wipe down my chain and components.

d2create 06-22-09 12:39 PM

Once the wd-40 cleaning agents evaporate, it leaves behind a very thin film of oil... but too thin for cycling. Fine for cleaning and water displacement, but once dry, lube with regular bike chain lube.
And replace your chain every 2k miles or so. The 20 bucks is cheap preventative maintenance, making your much more expensive parts like cassettes last much longer. Just like doing oil changes in your car.

MadCapsule 06-22-09 12:50 PM


Originally Posted by havm66z (Post 9144253)
It kills cockroaches really fast.

But stinks.


I kinda like the smell of WD-40.










What?

scattered73 06-22-09 01:06 PM


Originally Posted by MadCapsule (Post 9146221)
I kinda like the smell of WD-40.

WD-40 a real mans cologne.
anyway 2000+ uses for wd40
http://www.wd40.com/uses-tips/

CB HI 06-22-09 04:29 PM


Originally Posted by jeffpoulin (Post 9145927)
... I know some people say to never use WD40 on a bicycle, but I was just wondering if it was okay to use it as a cleaner like this. If not, how do you recommend one cleans their chain?

Use Dawn dish soap.


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