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While WD-40 and chinese knockoffs may have a place in a plumber's toolbox (WD = water displacement), it doesn't really belong in a toy train enthusiasts kit, especially as a lubricant.

When I had a bicycle shop lotta customers used WD as a chain lubricant and then couldn't understand why their chains had seized up.

If you're really desperate WD can be used as a contact cleaner in case you don't have the real thing, which is Caig Laboratories DeoxIT D5.

Pete

bmoran4 posted:
TrainsRMe posted:

SD-40 - What is it, a Chinese knockoff of WD-40?

That's my assumption. I'd thought sharing it here would give us all a chuckle!

Didn't even catch that bjmoran! Indeed it does come up as a Chinese wd40 knock off when you search. Looks like the label was changed to look less similar at some point.

WD-40 is NOT a very good lubricant, and it's REALLY LOUSY for long term storage!  I've gotten guns that people have "preserved" with WD-40 and stored for a few years, the stuff turns into glue!  I had to soak several of them in solvent for days to loosen the WD-40 sludge enough to get it apart for a proper cleaning. 

Snopes has an interesting page that gives some information about WD-40, it looks fairly accurate.

Snopes - Household Uses for WD-40

They started with a popular list of "uses" and asked the manufacturer which were valid.  Truthfully, I'm not sure I'd recommend using it for many of the manufacturer's recommendations either, but that's another story.

For some reason some like to insist that  WD-40 is NOT a lubricant. It actually IS a lubricant, among many other things which it is much better at, such as displacing water. Its Material Safety Data Sheet indicates it contains up to 25% petroleum based oil. It's just a very poor lubricant for most of the uses train modelers require. My duck guns routinely get wet. My trains do not. A jack of all trades product like this is sometimes useful, but there are usually better choices. 

Last edited by Former Member

Duct tape and WD-40 are excellent products for their intended purposes. Not "having any around" is just inefficient.

Do not use duct tape for open-heart surgery "closings", or the like. Do use it for something that breaks or leaks and cannot be properly fixed immediately (or even for a while - but just a while).

WD-40 is excellent as WD-40 - a penetrating (etc) oil, that is also, BTW, the best way to clean (with a rag) your layout tracks. It also smells good.

So far as I recall, from the news, at least, the M-16 killed people just fine. And, on the subject of guns, I have a few, accidentally (inherited and/or adolescent shotgun desires), but care little about the subject - though mine are "stored" on a gun rack, no WD-40, just 3-in-1, every few years, maybe. No rust.

The surprising part is the apparently strong feelings that a common lubricant/etc and a common adhesive temporary (!) repair tape engendered. It's just WD-40 and duct tape, dudes. 

Last edited by D500
Matt Makens posted:

I am fairly certain I do not won a roll of Duct/Duck Tape or a can of WD-40. Both are worthless as far as I am concerned

Now now. Duct tape and WD-40 are vital components in every red neck tool box. If it moves and shouldn't...duct tape. If it doesn't move and should...WD-40. 

 

High humidity in the south often oxidizes metals (especially nuts and bolts) and prevents them from moving the way they should (when you want to remove the nut from the bolt), especially in outdoor situations. WD-40 is excellent for loosening the grip of the metals. As noted above, however, it is not effective as a long-term lubricant. 

bmoran4 posted:

It amazes me how many here have jumped on to the "lubrication war path" instead of actually seeing the humor... 

Reading/observing skills and a sense of humor are often lacking around here - especially when some see a chance to hop on their favorite dead horse!

As the guys on MST3K always said, "The right people will get their jokes"

Thanks for the posting.

Jim

WD-40 was developed DOD to protect the metal surfaces of missiles.  WD is for water displacement and 40 is for version #40 of the firm's R&D effort.  It was never intended to be used as a lubricant.  It is, however, a great solvent and moisture displacement liquid.

It is also great at removing the remains of plastic bags and associated inks (like bread, rolls, etc) that are placed on flat surface warm/hot range tops.  Let it soak/sit for about 15 minutes and it comes right off.

I suspect it has many/most of the chemicals in paint brush restoration liquids.  The actual composition is unknown since the company did not patent the product:  in getting patent protection, the composition would be public knowledge and they preferred to keep that a secret.

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