I'd love to know where this myth came from. Every single test i've seen or done myself have had no issues with it in door locks (fixed a problem and stayed fixed for decades) or on bicycle chains yet you can't have an internet thread about lubricant without somone saying "WD40 ISN'T A LUBRICANT" even though it is most certainly a lubricant.
I feel like this is one of those internet myths someone once said and now everyone just blindly repeats.
My only thought is that there's cheaper generic brands but regardless it's a great tool for the job.
It is a good enough lubricant. In my experience with door hinges they stay non-creaky for much longer with technical vaseline though.
Btw, about a year ago I read that copper grease is absolutely the best for this purpose but I'm still waiting for a hinge to become squeaky so that I can test that.
I know it's for keeping water away. I use it for that purpose on my swords. But why isn't it a lubricant? Maybe it's not the best, but it can serve that purpose.
It wasn't intended to be a lubricant. When it "dries" it gets gummy. Quoting Wikipedia[1]
The spray, composed of various hydrocarbons, was originally designed to be used by Convair to protect the outer skin of the Atlas missile from rust and corrosion.[11][12] This outer skin also functioned as the outer wall of the missile's delicate balloon tanks.
If you take a properly lubricated widget and as part of regular maintenance you lubricate it, it's well lubricated.
If you take a properly lubricated widget and as part of regular maintenance you spray WD-40 on it, it's less lubricated, might be fine for a bit, but it's mostly a cleaner and water displacer. Ideal in some situations for cleaning, before you apply a lubricant. WD40 does leave something behind, maybe better than metal on metal, but it's gummy and pretty far from what I'd consider a lubricant.
Sure in some cases chewing gum, soil, or sand can reduce friction, I wouldn't call them lubricants though.
AnotherGoodName|2 years ago
I feel like this is one of those internet myths someone once said and now everyone just blindly repeats.
My only thought is that there's cheaper generic brands but regardless it's a great tool for the job.
praptak|2 years ago
Btw, about a year ago I read that copper grease is absolutely the best for this purpose but I'm still waiting for a hinge to become squeaky so that I can test that.
aidenn0|2 years ago
1: https://www.wd40.com/myths-legends-fun-facts/
stcredzero|2 years ago
I know it's for keeping water away. I use it for that purpose on my swords. But why isn't it a lubricant? Maybe it's not the best, but it can serve that purpose.
mikewarot|2 years ago
sliken|2 years ago
If you take a properly lubricated widget and as part of regular maintenance you spray WD-40 on it, it's less lubricated, might be fine for a bit, but it's mostly a cleaner and water displacer. Ideal in some situations for cleaning, before you apply a lubricant. WD40 does leave something behind, maybe better than metal on metal, but it's gummy and pretty far from what I'd consider a lubricant.
Sure in some cases chewing gum, soil, or sand can reduce friction, I wouldn't call them lubricants though.