WD40 for preventing rust

It'll work. It can gum up stuff but an axe with no moving parts it's ok.

I would still choose something else but wd will do the job.
 
I use it pretty much because I have a big can of it, which sees other uses as well, so it's within reach. It seems to do just as well as sewing machine oil or the gun oil can I finished a while ago. All are derivatives of the same thing.
 
I use blo on handles and WD-40 on heads. WD-40 was used to prevent rust on rockets by NASA. Works great for me.
 
https://wd40.com/cool-stuff/history

"In 1953, a fledgling company called Rocket Chemical Company and its staff of three set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for use in the aerospace industry.

Working in a small lab in San Diego, California, it took them 40 attempts to get the water displacing formula worked out. But they must have been really good, because the original secret formula for WD-40® -which stands for Water Displacement perfected on the 40th try—is still in use today.

Convair, an aerospace contractor, first used WD-40® to protect the outer skin of the Atlas Missile from rust and corrosion. The product actually worked so well that several employees snuck some WD-40® cans out of the plant to use at home."
 
General purpose stuff. I use it frequently to clean tools.

That and duct tape will go a long way.
 
For long term storage of a nice folding knife? No way. For a wood chopping tool? Can close at hand? Heck yeah.

Although I do coat with BLO when finishing and let it polymerize.
 
WD-40 was invented by some scientists on commission from nasa to make a solution that would stop the atlas rocket from rusting, since the tank walls were so thin to conserve weight, and the tanks were pressurized to compensate for the weakness. rust was a big deal. i'd say its pretty good for just a normal axe. oh yeah, wd-40 was never patented because nasa didnt want anyone but the manufacturer to know the ingredients.
 
I guess there are more than one version of tales about the origin of WD-40. My understanding is it was developed for the military to address arcing on moisture laden vehicle high voltage ignition systems. For sure it wasn't named Water Displacement-40th trial formula for no reason.
 
300Six said:
I guess there are more than one version of tales about the origin of WD-40. My understanding is it was developed for the military to address arcing on moisture laden vehicle high voltage ignition systems. For sure it wasn't named Water Displacement-40th trial formula for no reason.
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I am sure seeing who was paying for it, and the time period it was developed it was probably tested and used on everything and anything gov. Owned.
 
WD40 is just nasty mineral oil after the mineral spirits evaporate. just use mineral oil instead. but mineral oil is not that great for rust prevention as it wont last that long. either way they are better than nothing at preventing rust.

i use fluid film. its lanolin based (from sheep) some people are allergic, but if your not then i would highly recommend it. there are other options also, but i find it to be in the top 5. Wax's will last the longest for storage purposes.

EDIT: here's a test testing 46 products http://www.dayattherange.com/?page_id=3667 wd40 specialist, was one of the longest lasting ones in that test. not so much the normal wd40 tho.

here is a test with some other options. not this test didnt use a few options that are available today. its from 2013 http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/a-not-so-little-rust-prevention-test-round-2.1057567/
its kinda weird how WD40 does better than mineral oil after 5 days, but both dont last 12 days at all.
lubetest2-day5_zps2234bb54.jpg


lubetest2-day12_zps7c6dd007.jpg
 
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Cool test. So if you want rust preventing power alone the results say WD40 specialist or frog lube is the way to go. I can not help but wonder if the fact the test being frozen and coated in ice may have caused issues in the results of the blade forums test ......
Anyway results/picture from the big(http://www.dayattherange.com/?page_id=3667) test above
 
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Boeshield T9.

But be warned that it may be difficult to remove.

https://boeshield.com/general-use/

"True aerospace technology. T-9 was developed and licensed by global aerospace leader, The Boeing Company, to fill a need for high-performance, long-term metal protection and lubrication. T-9’s unique formulation of solvent carrier and paraffin wax coating was engineered to penetrate crevices deeply, displace moisture, dissolve minor corrosion, and leave a clean, waxy coating with lasting durability—without using Teflon, silicone, fluorocarbons, MEK, or acetone."

Note added: Waxes aren't easily dissolved with ordinary solvents like paint thinner. You'll need to use a non-polar solvent like charcoal lighter fluid or Zippo lighter fluid. White gas (naphtha) or Coleman fuel also works.
 
jblyttle said:
Cool test, but these are axes. If I'm planning on storing mine in a bucket of seawater I'll look to some more advanced products.
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Such as metal foil pouches perhaps, except for whatever galvanic action results as a consequence. WD has done wonders for me (compared to doing nothing like so many other folks) for many decades and I'll continue using it until one or the other products routinely start to come on sale for $10/gal.
 
WD-40 is the right product for drying wet ignition components. Nothing like it that I know of and it works on axes and yes, guns also. Despite the press it has received in the last fifteen years or so. Its just good for a lot of different things, I always seem to have a can handy.
 
hi guys i have a axe that i like a lot and i want to keep it clean and rust free and am useing wd40 right now but i have to put it on like 2 times a week or it drips off and it stains the wood of the handle so i came here asking if you guys know something that is common and prevents rust just as good as wd40 and lasts a lot longer that would be great. thanks
 
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