WD40 - what is it exactly and why does it work? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tyl604 · #1 02-08-2017, 02:05 PM

I have just learned how well WD40 cleans grease off the engine. So I am wondering what it is made of and why does it clean so well?

Anyone have an idea? I just thought it was for squeaks.

ah-kay · #2 02-08-2017, 02:23 PM

It is a medicine also but use it as your own peril.

https://www.verywell.com/can-wd-40-really-help-arthritis-189148

mach4 · #3 02-08-2017, 02:54 PM

From the MSDS

Rogviler · #4 02-08-2017, 02:59 PM

I've found MSDSs to be pretty useless for figuring out what's in something. They're allowed to be pretty vague, as you can see, so we'll probably never know. Likely it's the solvent aspect of it that cuts grease. Mineral spirits and acetone work great too.

-Rog

Diseasel300 · #5 02-08-2017, 03:18 PM

WD-40 is so named as "Water Displacer formula # 40" or so goes the saying. It's useful for many things, but it is *NOT* a lubricant. Great for removing rust, removing grime and adhesives, works well for drying out ignition wires and the like. Just for God's sake...don't use it to "oil" something!

mach4 · #6 02-08-2017, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogviler

I've found MSDSs to be pretty useless.... so we'll probably never know.

Maybe so, but perhaps this will help - https://www.wired.com/2009/04/st-whatsinside-6/

97 SL320 · #7 02-08-2017, 05:32 PM

WD-40 is a miserable lubricant / penetrating oil.

I've recently reproven this by spraying it on a rusty bolt at the scrap yard I frequent. It offered no benefit over nothing at all. Power steering fluid / ATM / motor are available in abundance at that yard and work pretty well.

mach4 · #8 02-08-2017, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

WD-40 is a miserable lubricant / penetrating oil.

Don't disagree generally, however within a very narrow application it actually works pretty well as a lubricant/coolant. Many machinists use it for this purpose for milling aluminum. I've used it on my CNC mill and can confirm good results. Obviously it's just the mineral oil that does the job but the convenient spray packaging makes it worth the extra cost. That having been said I'm currently developing an Arduino-controlled stepper motor connected to a peristaltic pump to deliver a mist of a water-based coolant/lubricant.

tyl604 · #9 02-08-2017, 06:21 PM

So basically Vaseline and mineral oil. Who knew? I had always assumed it is a pretty good lubricant and it is good on squeaks. It sure sells. Too expensive though to use as a primary cleaner for my engine.

Thx for the input.

97 SL320 · #10 02-08-2017, 06:34 PM

Have a look at Unist brand "Cool Lube 2210", it is a vegetable based machining lube that does not go rancid . I have this set up at work with a air powered mister as a total loss system. We are milling / drilling copper and aluminum. No complaints from the operator after 5 years of use.

barry12345 · #11 02-08-2017, 09:19 PM

Wd 40 seems to me a very poor penatrating oil and has no long term lubricant qualities. It is an excellent water displacer on a short term basis. Also I do not know why but the company modified or changed a component in the mix a few years back. It was never good and is still not good.

Still is well promoted and sells well. But if you need a penetrating oil for rust buy something else or mix your own .Equal parts of acetone and automatic transmission oil are an excellent home brewed product.

Good penetrating oil products are from twice the cost of wd 40 to four times the cost. I believe some use basic acids like sulphuric and a carrier. I get some free from time to time and know the strengths of some of the individual products. One favorite out there I find slow working but good in general. Another may be very aggressive in comparison.

The home brew example formula I posted is considered really good in general. I live in a recognized rust belt. So weak penetrating oils around the fastenings here are pretty much useless. You do not have a torch set leave older cars alone locally.

mach4 · #12 02-08-2017, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry12345

...I do not know why but the company modified or changed a component in the mix a few years back. It was never good and is still not good.

This may help....

Quote:

Dear Valued Customer:

Important Information Regarding the Sale of WD-40 Multi-Use Product in California
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has ruled that any product classified as a multi-purpose lubricant must have a VOC (volatile organic compound) level of 25% or less effective with a manufacturing date after December 31, 2013 in order to be sold in California.* To comply with this regulation, the WD-40 Company will begin to manufacture 25% VOC compliant product for sale in California as of January 1, 2014. Since we do not foresee other states moving to this stringent legislation and to minimize any price impact on our customers and consumers, we will continue to sell our current formula in the remaining 49 states. This product will be labeled as “not for sale in California.” Product produced prior to January 1, 2014 may continue to be shipped and sold in California for a three year period ending December 31, 2016.

Products Involved
The following WD-40 Multi-Use Products will be converted to the lower VOC formula for sale in California:
- 3oz.
- 8oz. Smart Straw
- 11oz. Smart Straw
- 12oz. Smart Straw
- 16oz. Industrial
- 18oz. Big Blast
- 20oz Trigger Pro
- 1 Gallon
- 5 Gallon
- 55 gallon drum

All other WD-40 Company products including WD-40 Specialist, WD-40 No-Mess Pen and 3IO brand are either already 50 state compliant or do not fall under this regulation.

Pricing
The WD-40 Company has worked diligently to minimize the cost impact of this formulation change. While there are cost implications to the lower VOC formula, the WD-40 Company has chosen to absorb these costs. At this time there will be no price increase for the lower VOC formula and we will maintain national pricing.

Performance
The performance of the new WD-40 25% VOC formula has been shown to be equal to the current formula in both laboratory and consumer testing.
1061 Cudahy Place, San Diego, CA 92110-3929
Tel 619/275.1400 Fax 619/275.5823

Timing
The first shipment of the lower VOC formula is expected sometime after January 1, 2014. However, since there is a three year sell through period for the current higher VOC product, the WD-40 Company will continue to ship the current formulation to California during this transition. Your Sales representative will be in touch with you regarding specific timing for your account.;

Execution Details: SKU changes, case codes, can codes In order to accurately track and identify the California only product, the case and can codes will be changed.

Component
California Only
Non-California
Can UPC Change
Yes No
Case/Display sku (order #) change
Yes No
Additional Can/Corrugate Artwork
None Labled "Not for Sale in Ca."
Please see the attached spreadsheet for the new numbers for the California only items as well as the current sku numbers that will be maintained for the non-California items. Please note that the California only items begin with an initial digit of “49.”

The importance of inventory rotation
Under California regulations there is a three year sell through period for product produced prior to January 1, 2014. Therefore there is no action required to remove or return current product. We encourage you to follow standard FIFO inventory practices to ensure current inventory will sell through by the end of the three year period.

Next Steps
Your WD-40 Company Sales and Customer Service Representatives will be in touch with you to work through the timing and logistics of your orders destined for final sale in California.

Regards,
Mike Freeman
Division President – The Americas
WD-40 Company

*California Environmental Protection Agency, Air Resource Board, Consumer Products Regulations; Final Regulation Order effective December 2011; Regulation for Reducing Emissions from Consumer Products, Article 2, Paragraph 94509 (a); Percent Volatile Organic Compound by Weight, Multi-Purpose Lubricant, 12-31-2013 25 http://www.arb.ca.gov/consprod/regs/2012/article2080913.pdf

And yes, California is wacky and getting more so every day.

BillGrissom · #13 02-08-2017, 10:27 PM

I predict a future of shady guys w/ souped-up trucks smuggling real WD-40 into CA.
For quick anti-corrosion on things like nuts and bolts you don't care to paint, I use Rustoleum's "Rust Inhibitor" spray (picture of a shovel). It dries to a clear thin waxy coat, similar to the cosmoline used on military weapons.