What is WD-40?

[Elliot Naess]

Just exactly what is WD-40?

Many of us use it for all sorts of things. Supposedly, the actual ingredients are a closely guarded secret. But I'm sceptical of the ability of humans to keep anything very secret for very long.

I just read a claim that the basic ingredient is fish oil.
Previously, I had heard kerosene.

One guy I know is adamant that the stuff is a solvent but not a lubricant.

Any other guesses?

[pete c]

I've heard kerosene as well. Doubt it's fish earl. do you use it for freeing rusted on crap? it actually kinda sucks for that. PB blaster is pretty good, but, if you want the really good stuff, it's called kroil. We used to use it at work and a few mechanics I know swear by it as well. Don't know what's in it, but, it absolutely kicks the **** outta rusty frozen parts. Can't buy it over the counter as far as I know. You can order it from the manufacturer.

[dentarthurdent]

The Wikipedia entry for it has some information on formulation taken from MSDS sheets. Nothing real specific, but it claims that the fish oil thing is an urban legend.

[the_experience03]

I vote pretty smelling kerosene. Diesel fuel works pretty well too as a penetrating oil, but it sure does smell.

As long as we are listing favorites mine is AeroKroil.

[pete c]

aerokroil or kroil or whatever you wanna call it, is amazing. do you order yours from kroil? wish we still had that stuff at work.

[swinada]

"Nutcracker" is what I like to use. It is manufactured by Momar Inc.
Light amber clear liquid with coconut odour. Way better then WD40

[lapeer20m]

i'm not inclined to believe that wd40 is kerosene. I'm quite certian the manufacturer claims that it is non-toxic. there are a million uses for wd....some people even put it on their joints when they ache.

i used to have a good habit of writing on my bus an car windows with dry erase markers. You can draw maps, write down phone numbers etc etc. Over time i've gotten in the bad habit of using permanent marker ie: sharpies because they seem to be there when i need one. anyhow...wd40 works great at removing permanent marker from glass....then i use glass cleaner to clean off the wd40. Some passenger of mine showed me that once and i thought it was a pretty neat trick.

[Elliot Naess]

Silly me -- I hadn't thought of Wikipedia! And Material Safety Data Sheets!

15% light lubricating oil -- I was sure wondering about that.

Now, then. I do believe I'm going to order some Kroil. http://www.kanolabs.com/

[phillbus914]

I've seen lists before with uses of WD-40, here's one with 2000 uses... and it's from WD40.com

http://www.wd40.com/pdfs/WD-40_2000UsesList.pdf

[pete c]

elliot, you will not be dissapointed. kroil flat out kicks the **** out of any other penetratin' earl I have ever used.

[the_experience03]

Originally Posted by pete c

elliot, you will not be dissapointed. kroil flat out kicks the **** out of any other penetratin' earl I have ever used.

AGREED!

We get it at school through both the parts store and our chemical supplier. I can then buy it secondhand from my instructor. OTherwise there are a few outlets up here that carry it.

[the_experience03]

I had to look at work today and they do say that it contains petroleum distillates so that makes it atleast somewhat toxic in my book. Yep, I'm sticking with pretty smelling kerosene.

Another good penetrating oil I failed to mention is Knock'r Loose by K-W/CRC. It's no AeroKroil, but it's good stuff.

[KC10Chief]

Just don't use WD-40 on anything that has rubber in it. It breaks down the rubber. I used some on a $2,500 mountain bike I had. Big mistake. I had to replace quite a few expensive bushings. Also, another great way to get permanent marker removed, is to scribble over it with a non permanent marker. Like a dry erase board marker. Then erase it right away. Comes right off.