WD40 is bad for your blade?

[buyer5207]

this dude on utube sad wd40 is bad for ur blade cuz it makes it rust faster becuz its a solvent is this true?

 

[unit]

I have never experienced accelerated rust due to this product, but it would not be my first recommendation as a rust inhibitor.

If you are not concerned about health aspects (for food prep) conventional motor oil cost MUCH less and works better to inhibit rust.

If you want to prepare food, cooking oil works well and also is very affordable (considering that you probably already have some for other uses).

Honestly though, for my uses (never stored for long term between uses) WD-40 would probably work fine (I have used it on occasion).

 

[HoosierQ]

That is not true. It is not a good rust preventative and gums up...but it won't accelerate rust. He probably thinks it did because he applied it and the darn thing rusted on him...that I would expect.

WD-40 is designed to displace water from things not lubricate or protect them. Because it has petroleum in it, it lubes some and probably protects some but it is designed to do neither.

It can be a problem in firearms because it is not stable over time and if you get it down in nooks and crannies where it cannot evaporate, it will gum up. On a knife blade, not so much...it'll just rub off or evaporate.

EEZOX or Breakfree CLP are great protectants...and they have solvents too. They are designed to protect and lube as well as clean.

 

[buyer5207]

thanks guys.......

Just wanted to make sure i put the darn stuff on my kabar USMC and my Becker bk9.

 

[jnich005]

That is not true. It is not a good rust preventative and gums up...but it won't accelerate rust. He probably thinks it did because he applied it and the darn thing rusted on him...that I would expect.

WD-40 is designed to displace water from things not lubricate or protect them. Because it has petroleum in it, it lubes some and probably protects some but it is designed to do neither.

It can be a problem in firearms because it is not stable over time and if you get it down in nooks and crannies where it cannot evaporate, it will gum up. On a knife blade, not so much...it'll just rub off or evaporate.

EEZOX or Breakfree CLP are great protectants...and they have solvents too. They are designed to protect and lube as well as clean.

Im glad there is someone else in the world that knows what wd40 is for. Its not a lubricant.

 

[mqqn]

Hi folks -

I have seen this mentioned here a few times now, i.e. how WD40 is not a lubricant.

I submit that you who think this should tell the WD40 marketing people this, as they list hundreds of lubricating uses on the web site -

Lubricates piano hinges on tool box
Lubricates fuse box hinges
Lubricates locks on lawnmower control cables
Lubricates screws on lawn furniture
Lubricates zippers on lawn mower grass catcher bags
Lubricates stuck temperature regulators on refrigerators
Lubricates locks
ETC...........

http://www.wd40.com/uses-tips/300-uses/category/garage-workshop/

I have used it as a lubricant and cleaner (tar) for years.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[powernoodle]

The mineral oil in WD-40 is most certainly a lubricant.

Leatherman recommends WD-40 on its website, btw.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Hi folks -

I have seen this mentioned here a few times now, i.e. how WD40 is not a lubricant.

I submit that you who think this should tell the WD40 marketing people this, as they list hundreds of lubricating uses on the web site -



http://www.wd40.com/uses-tips/300-uses/category/garage-workshop/

I have used it as a lubricant and cleaner (tar) for years.

best regards -

mqqn

The above-noted "list" of uses posted by "wd40_web_site" conveniently left out the disclaimer by the makers of WD-40 (at the bottom of the list referenced by the link posted above):

"The uses of WD-40 described on this website were provided to WD-40 Company by end-users of the product, and do not constitute recommendations or suggestions for use of WD-40 by WD-40 Company. These uses, including the "Use of the Day," have not been tested by WD-40 Company. Consumers should exercise common sense whenever using WD-40. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the WD-40 packaging."

In other words, it's a list of things people (end users) have used it for, as opposed to a list of things the makers of WD-40 intended it for. That's how I interpret it, anyway. Judge for yourself.

 

[tyr_shadowblade]

WD-40 is great stuff.

The only real negatives I've found is that it can break down rubber and plastics.

My Dad used it for everything. He thought it was miraculous. Once, after consuming a case of beers, he thought spraying it inside his computer tower would fix it, and we needed to convince him that it would be a real BAD idea to use it on electronic equipment . . . especially when it is plugged in and running.

Works great on rusted or seized up parts, and it will remove light surface rust.

 

[mqqn]

The above-noted "list" of uses posted by "wd40_web_site" conveniently left out the disclaimer by the makers of WD-40 (at the bottom of the list referenced by the link posted above):

"The uses of WD-40 described on this website were provided to WD-40 Company by end-users of the product, and do not constitute recommendations or suggestions for use of WD-40 by WD-40 Company. These uses, including the "Use of the Day," have not been tested by WD-40 Company. Consumers should exercise common sense whenever using WD-40. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the WD-40 packaging."

In other words, it's a list of things people (end users) have used it for, as opposed to a list of things the makers of WD-40 intended it for. That's how I interpret it, anyway. Judge for yourself.

Hi Obsessesd with Edges -

Here is a picture of a can of WD-40

Notice on the can, the second (I suppose I could say intended use?) listed is "Lubricates".

Not trying to be argumentative, just wondering why it is not a lubricant?

best regards -

mqqn

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Hi Obsessesd with Edges -

Here is a picture of a can of WD-40

Notice on the can, the second (I suppose I could say intended use?) listed is "Lubricates".

Not trying to be argumentative, just wondering why it is not a lubricant?

best regards -

mqqn

Personally, I'm not saying it is or isn't a lubricant. I just think it's interesting that, on the one hand, they (the makers) describe and market it as a lubricant, and on the other hand, they don't seem to want to take ownership for some of the uses posted on their very own web site. It seems to imply, 'use it however you want, but do so at your own risk'. Still leaves a big question mark in my mind about what it's best suited for.

I've also seen the description on the can, so I know what you mean there. I've used it for a number of different things, and it does have at least some temporary lubricating ability. But I've also noticed that it will evaporate in a relatively short period of time. So, in cases where it might be exposed to the elements, it may not be worth as much as it is in the pivot of a pocketknife that may only seldom get really wet (and will then likely be cleaned & relubed in short order anyway, if the owner cares about it all). I think it would be better described by the maker as a short-term lubricant, with recommendation that it be re-applied on a regular basis. To me, it's best use is in it's ability to break free rusted joints and flush out dirt & grease (while at the same time providing some temporary lube for working everything free).

 

[Johnny Warner]

I use it as a solvent. Years ago I spayed it on my tire lugs when rotating my tires. Short story is 6 months later when I rotated again I sheared of several lugs, I started using white lithium grease afterwards.

 

[buyer5207]

thanks for all the replies from now on I'll just use breakfree.......i was trying to be a cheapo i have some breakfree but i guess wd40 isn't great. At least i know it wont wreck my knives. Any other input is welcome!

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I use it as a solvent. Years ago I spayed it on my tire lugs when rotating my tires. Short story is 6 months later when I rotated again I sheared of several lugs, I started using white lithium grease afterwards.

That's exactly what I had in mind, in my earlier comments regarding exposure to the elements. Had a flat tire on my pickup, and used WD-40 to free up the lug nuts. It performed fine in that capacity. After getting the tire fixed, I rechecked the tightness of the lug nuts a week or two later. They were already stuck again, and even more rusty than before. Whatever grease or other protection that'd been there before the tire went flat had been completely flushed away. That's why I think it's better as a solvent than a stand-alone lubricant.

 

[HoosierQ]

Well of course it lubricates. I think the question really is: For how long after application can it be relied upon to lubricate and protect from rust? You can bet if you've got a squeaky hinge and you hit it with WD-40, the squeaking will stop. How long is another question. Longer than say, 10w30 motor oil? No way. Longer than 3-in-1, probably not. Longer than Breakfree or EEZOX, probably not.

Regardless, the OPs question was about accelerating vs inhibiting rust. I believe it absolutely does not do the former, and is not as good at the latter as may other products on the market.

My only real beef with it is that it gums up over time. I treated 5 or 6 utility blades with wd-40 and stored them in the handle of your basic utility knife. A year later it was like somebody spilled shellac or something in there and I had to use Breakfree to clean it all up. No more long term applications of WD-40 for me. Short term, should be fine for anything.

 

[AF]

My only real beef with it is that it gums up over time. I treated 5 or 6 utility blades with wd-40 and stored them in the handle of your basic utility knife. A year later it was like somebody spilled shellac or something in there and I had to use Breakfree to clean it all up. No more long term applications of WD-40 for me. Short term, should be fine for anything.

Did that happen recently? Because I vaguely remember reading a thread where someone said an old formulation was prone to gumming but not the current formulation.

 

[GRIM 62]

I knew an old timer who used it as a Sturgeon attractant on the Columbia River.He would take a Smelt and insert the red plastic spray tip of the WD40 into said fishes anus and fill'er up.Then you have to thread the hook and leader from the Smelts mouth and back out its arse,put a half hitch around the tail and you're ready to roll.We caught lots of them that way,back in the day.

 

[THG]

You can bet if you've got a squeaky hinge and you hit it with WD-40, the squeaking will stop. How long is another question. Longer than say, 10w30 motor oil? No way. Longer than 3-in-1, probably not. Longer than Breakfree or EEZOX, probably not.

I don't know, but I sprayed some on a squeaky door last year, and it hasn't squeaked since.

I use WD-40 to clean glue and crap off of my blades, but I don't count on it for rust prevention or lube or anything like that.

 

[HoosierQ]

This just happened last summer. Not sure how old the can was when I treated it but it is the new can. Gummy as could be. Nothing was damaged of course. I cannot say whether there was any rust inhibition because this was indoors the whole time. The gummy stuff came right off with breakfree.

If I were out there struggling with this topic I would do just what I did. Get a utility knife, coat up 5 or 6 blades with WD-40...coat them good on both sides, then stack them all up nice and neat and close them up in the handle. Come back at Christmas and see what you've got. YMMV. When I did it, they were stuck together almost like glue...it wasn't just suction. They pried apart pretty easy but I did have to pry. A good real world test, and no harm would come to it. You could do the same thing and put one in your barn or in the trunk of a car you keep outside. You may loose a blade or two to rust or you may find that it works.

I am past it. I use WD-40 all the time. Recently, my trunk lid was left open and my tools got wet. WD-40'd the heck out of all them to get the water out of the nooks and crannies. Wiped them down and then applied Breakfree for protection.

I put EEZOX on my aluminum shower curtain rod so the metal rings slide nice and easy. Even in a steamy environment like a shower, I only have to apply a few drops to a rag and run it back and forth and the thing is as slippery as can be for 3 or 4 months before I do it again.

 

[Johnny Warner]

I believe the old formula had DMSO in it and worked great as a fish attractant and engine starter.