What Should You Not Use WD 40 On?
Many people believe that WD-40 works on everything, but there are some surfaces and objects where it will do more harm than good.
The secret lies in knowing when to use it and when not to use it at all. WD-40 will protect against corrosion and rust by displacing water. Still, suppose you use it when water isn’t the problem. In that case, it will displace the water that protects your surface from corrosion, exposing your product to the elements again.
So, here are what you should not use WD 40 on!
WD-40 is Not a Lubricant
First and foremost, do not assume that WD-40 can be used in place of a regular lubricant just because it is called a lubricant.
The spray has a water-based formula that only serves to break down other substances with which it comes into contact.
For example, spraying your bike chain or locks would serve no purpose, as these will only pick up dirt and debris from your environment.
In addition, if you plan to ride your bike through a wet area, keep in mind that WD-40 is water-based, so using it before riding will make certain areas of your bike susceptible to rusting.
For the best protection against rust, avoid spraying anything but the metal parts and wipe them off with a cloth.
Your bike’s tires are also at risk of picking up small stones and rocks when sprayed, so ensure that you don’t apply any lubricant to these.
WD-40 Doesn’t Fix Leaks
Don’t let WD-40’s catchy ad campaign fool you. The product is excellent for loosening stuck bolts but won’t seal a leak.
This is primarily because of its low flash point, which ignites and creates toxic fumes when it comes into contact with hot surfaces or fire.
Wiping a leaking pipe down with WD-40 could result in an explosion and burns.
If you have a small leak like this, the best thing is to turn off the valve that feeds gas to the leak and then wait until it stops before turning it back on.
You can also buy some rubber washers from your local hardware store and replace them at the source of the leak.
WD-40 Will Ruin Plastic Parts
A typical household item like WD-40 can significantly help with home repairs and other projects around your house.
Using it correctly can often save you from buying new parts or tools. One of WD-40’s most common uses is to loosen stuck screws or bolts and lubricate them afterward to allow them to move more freely.
While it works for many items, one thing that it does not work well with is plastic parts, especially if they are enclosed in a housing of some kind.
Many people have learned that using WD-40 on their car may ruin several pieces of plastic on their vehicle, including things like knobs and handles.
It also makes the paint job look dull because it dries out the paint. In this case, alternatives such as silicone spray won’t cause these problems.
Wiping down surfaces with a lint-free cloth and rubbing alcohol is another option.
WD-40 Isn’t Good For Threaded Fasteners
WD-40 does penetrate rusted threads and lubricates for easy removal. In other words, it is safe to spray on bolts that are stuck or rusted shut.
But many people also use WD-40 on threaded fasteners like screws and nuts. If you do this, don’t go so far as to soak the bolt head with WD-40 before using the wrench or screwdriver.
And don’t get any on your hands because the oil will stay greasy and slippery for hours.
That’s why auto mechanics wear gloves when they use them to remove bolts from engine blocks because otherwise, their fingers would get slippery and then turn even more difficult to grip.
It can also make a grease monkey’s knuckles dry and cracked if they work with their hands all day.
So if you want to keep your hands soft, use plenty of hand cream after washing them!
WD-40 Shouldn’t Be Used On Greasy Surfaces
While WD-40 does offer some lubrication, it’s no longer a full-on lubricant. There are several reasons, one of which is its inability to be used with certain surfaces.
Because WD-40 only works with specific materials and surfaces, it’s essential to know when you shouldn’t use it.
Greasy surfaces are one of those times when using WD-40 isn’t recommended. The grease will prevent your fingers from sliding across whatever surface you need to move or adjust to put WD-40 into action.
If oil or grease is already present, spray it with plenty of water before applying any more WD-40 for cleaning purposes.
WD-40 Makes Chores Harder
It’s true that WD-40 lubricates and protects dozens of household items, but it can be overused or misused, too.
People sometimes spray WD-40 into a dirty fan motor as a quick fix to get it running again; that’s a bad idea.
The lube gets sticky when heated and will quickly build up on your motor, requiring more work to remove than if you’d cleaned it in the first place.
When using WD-40, read its label and only use it on rubber gaskets and seals, not delicate electronics.
It might also come in handy for cleaning piano keys, de-skunking pets, removing scuff marks from floors, loosening rusted bolts, and opening stuck jar lids (though you’ll want to wear gloves while doing this).
WD-40 Isn’t A Cleaner
While WD-40 is a multi-purpose lubricant, it isn’t intended to serve as a cleaner. If a surface requires cleaning or even an intense wipe-down, don’t reach for your can of WD-40.
The solvent that’s in WD-40 can cause corrosion and damage certain materials. Instead, use a mild cleaner or natural oil such as olive oil to remove grease and grime from surfaces around your home.
Use it to loosen sticky substances like peanut butter or gum off tables or flooring by spraying the area with WD-40 and wiping away the mess with a paper towel.
In the bathroom, you can spray WD-40 onto shower doors before scrubbing them with baking soda for a quick clean-up.
In general, if something needs to be thoroughly cleaned (like grout), you shouldn’t spray WD-40 on it because, again, while powerful in its own right, WD-40 is meant more as a temporary fix than a deep cleaning product.
Final thought
WD-40 is something of a Swiss Army knife in a spray can. It’s used to remove adhesive and gunk from almost anything, and it’s one of those products that pretty much everyone has stashed in their garage or tool shed.
However, WD-40 may be an excellent product for your next project, but there are some instances where it would be better not to use it. And we have elaborate these things which not use wd 40 on.
What Should You Not Use WD 40 On?
Many people believe that WD-40 works on everything, but there are some surfaces and objects where it will do more harm than good.
The secret lies in knowing when to use it and when not to use it at all. WD-40 will protect against corrosion and rust by displacing water. Still, suppose you use it when water isn’t the problem. In that case, it will displace the water that protects your surface from corrosion, exposing your product to the elements again.
So, here are what you should not use WD 40 on!
WD-40 is Not a Lubricant
First and foremost, do not assume that WD-40 can be used in place of a regular lubricant just because it is called a lubricant.
The spray has a water-based formula that only serves to break down other substances with which it comes into contact.
For example, spraying your bike chain or locks would serve no purpose, as these will only pick up dirt and debris from your environment.
In addition, if you plan to ride your bike through a wet area, keep in mind that WD-40 is water-based, so using it before riding will make certain areas of your bike susceptible to rusting.
For the best protection against rust, avoid spraying anything but the metal parts and wipe them off with a cloth.
Your bike’s tires are also at risk of picking up small stones and rocks when sprayed, so ensure that you don’t apply any lubricant to these.
WD-40 Doesn’t Fix Leaks
Don’t let WD-40’s catchy ad campaign fool you. The product is excellent for loosening stuck bolts but won’t seal a leak.
This is primarily because of its low flash point, which ignites and creates toxic fumes when it comes into contact with hot surfaces or fire.
Wiping a leaking pipe down with WD-40 could result in an explosion and burns.
If you have a small leak like this, the best thing is to turn off the valve that feeds gas to the leak and then wait until it stops before turning it back on.
You can also buy some rubber washers from your local hardware store and replace them at the source of the leak.
WD-40 Will Ruin Plastic Parts
A typical household item like WD-40 can significantly help with home repairs and other projects around your house.
Using it correctly can often save you from buying new parts or tools. One of WD-40’s most common uses is to loosen stuck screws or bolts and lubricate them afterward to allow them to move more freely.
While it works for many items, one thing that it does not work well with is plastic parts, especially if they are enclosed in a housing of some kind.
Many people have learned that using WD-40 on their car may ruin several pieces of plastic on their vehicle, including things like knobs and handles.
It also makes the paint job look dull because it dries out the paint. In this case, alternatives such as silicone spray won’t cause these problems.
Wiping down surfaces with a lint-free cloth and rubbing alcohol is another option.
WD-40 Isn’t Good For Threaded Fasteners
WD-40 does penetrate rusted threads and lubricates for easy removal. In other words, it is safe to spray on bolts that are stuck or rusted shut.
But many people also use WD-40 on threaded fasteners like screws and nuts. If you do this, don’t go so far as to soak the bolt head with WD-40 before using the wrench or screwdriver.
And don’t get any on your hands because the oil will stay greasy and slippery for hours.
That’s why auto mechanics wear gloves when they use them to remove bolts from engine blocks because otherwise, their fingers would get slippery and then turn even more difficult to grip.
It can also make a grease monkey’s knuckles dry and cracked if they work with their hands all day.
So if you want to keep your hands soft, use plenty of hand cream after washing them!
WD-40 Shouldn’t Be Used On Greasy Surfaces
While WD-40 does offer some lubrication, it’s no longer a full-on lubricant. There are several reasons, one of which is its inability to be used with certain surfaces.
Because WD-40 only works with specific materials and surfaces, it’s essential to know when you shouldn’t use it.
Greasy surfaces are one of those times when using WD-40 isn’t recommended. The grease will prevent your fingers from sliding across whatever surface you need to move or adjust to put WD-40 into action.
If oil or grease is already present, spray it with plenty of water before applying any more WD-40 for cleaning purposes.
WD-40 Makes Chores Harder
It’s true that WD-40 lubricates and protects dozens of household items, but it can be overused or misused, too.
People sometimes spray WD-40 into a dirty fan motor as a quick fix to get it running again; that’s a bad idea.
The lube gets sticky when heated and will quickly build up on your motor, requiring more work to remove than if you’d cleaned it in the first place.
When using WD-40, read its label and only use it on rubber gaskets and seals, not delicate electronics.
It might also come in handy for cleaning piano keys, de-skunking pets, removing scuff marks from floors, loosening rusted bolts, and opening stuck jar lids (though you’ll want to wear gloves while doing this).
WD-40 Isn’t A Cleaner
While WD-40 is a multi-purpose lubricant, it isn’t intended to serve as a cleaner. If a surface requires cleaning or even an intense wipe-down, don’t reach for your can of WD-40.
The solvent that’s in WD-40 can cause corrosion and damage certain materials. Instead, use a mild cleaner or natural oil such as olive oil to remove grease and grime from surfaces around your home.
Use it to loosen sticky substances like peanut butter or gum off tables or flooring by spraying the area with WD-40 and wiping away the mess with a paper towel.
In the bathroom, you can spray WD-40 onto shower doors before scrubbing them with baking soda for a quick clean-up.
In general, if something needs to be thoroughly cleaned (like grout), you shouldn’t spray WD-40 on it because, again, while powerful in its own right, WD-40 is meant more as a temporary fix than a deep cleaning product.
Final thought
WD-40 is something of a Swiss Army knife in a spray can. It’s used to remove adhesive and gunk from almost anything, and it’s one of those products that pretty much everyone has stashed in their garage or tool shed.
However, WD-40 may be an excellent product for your next project, but there are some instances where it would be better not to use it. And we have elaborate these things which not use wd 40 on.
