My recent visit to my LGS

[gman51]

The old time WD 40 was a fairly good penetrating fluid and it could be used as a starting fluid for diesels also. I think it was maybe in the late 90's they changed the formula by removing something from it. After that WD 40 couldn't be used to start diesels and it wasn't worth squat for a penetrating fluid either. The old Liquid Wrench or PB Blaster are much better products.
I had read that Boiled linseed oil is good for rust prevention and is used by farmers on their equipment that is left outside. I used it on a couple of my rifle barrels. It didn't stop the barrels from rusting and I removed it. I actually think it seals moisture in the metal and then it rusts. It is kind of tacky and has a dull look to it. As tacky as it is I bet it could cause moving parts to gum up. It may be good for finishing or protecting gun wood parts but that's all I would use it for.
I don't use WD 40 for anything.

 

[Sevens]

I was a kid in the early to mid 1980's. We sprayed WD-40 on anything that needed ANY manner of lube. As a kid, I don't think any other lubricant existed in our pea brains. The smell of WD-40 takes me back to 1984.

It wasn't until my brain grew that I realized this product is almost completely useless to me in any conceivable way. I shudder when I even think about folks spraying this stuff on handguns. And if it's a Smith & Wesson revolver that's being victimized... then bingo, this is the first time and last time that I'll support ERPO/Red Flag laws.

If someone sprays WD-40 in, on, or near a S&W revolver, it's time to drag all the guns out of that guy's house.

 

[Old Corp]

Just a quick FYI - WD-40 does work great as a bee and wasp killer. Very effective.

 

[Texas40]

Corrosion prevention:
CorrosionX

Rust penetration/lubrication
AeroKroil

Buys these and you will toss all the others like PB blaster WD40 etc.






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[steelslaver]

If yoou got a bunch of oil, grease or tarry stuff on your hands WD40 is great for cleaning up. I got a gallon can of it cheap at a yard sale and I keep some in a spray bottle for that in my shop.

 

[brucev]

I have used WD-40 on guns, fishing reels, knives, etc. I have of course used it when fiddling with motors trying to get things dried out enough to get it to run. It is not the be all to end all for everything to do with guns, etc. But, along w/ Hoppes No. 9, it allowed me to keep my guns in good shape back when I lived in New Orleans. Must also say, transmission fluid had its uses. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[pharmer]

Choke sticks on my lawnmower every spring. One good spray in the intake and it runs all summer. I use it on rusted locks also. That's it. Joe

 

[fiasconva]

It still works pretty well as a starter fluid for lawnmowers, etc. A little squirt or two in the carb fixes them right up.

 

[ralph7]

Corrosion prevention:
CorrosionX

Rust penetration/lubrication
AeroKroil

Buys these and you will toss all the others like PB blaster WD40 etc.

Actually a 50-50 mix of auto trans fluid and acetone works better as a penetrating oil than anything made.





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[soFlaNative]

Like Steelslaver I've found it a good grease and gunk remover before using Rem Action or throttle / brake cleaner or the Lava soap.

 

[Onomea]

I worked on the Titan rocket out at Cape Canaveral . When it was at the pad , which was about 3-400 yards from the beach , we had a weakly PM to spray the outside with WD40 . Nobody could tell us where the idea came from , but it was stupid . Yes the skin was aluminum , but corrosion was not a problem , it never sat on the pad that long . After a while the WD40 dried and everything would stick to it , dirt , bugs , you name it . I don't know what it's good for , but there might be something...

WD-40 was initially developed to protect the pressure stabilized stainless steel Atlas rocket first stage tank. You can look this up on Wikipedia (WD-40 - Wikipedia), but this bit of aerospace lore was taught to me when visiting GD's site in San Diego back in the early 90s. As you likely know, when Martin Marietta, Titan's manufacturer, acquired GD's Atlas business, the two companies launch vehicle businesses were combined.

I bet what happened is the procedure for using WD-40 on the SS Atlas tank migrated into the general maintenance directions, and at the Cape the launch teams were told to spray the stuff on the structurally stabilized Titan aluminum tanks as well.

 

[jbtrucker]

Used Mossberg 500 bought few months ago was full of yellow looking crud so assume WD -40 had been used.