[542458]

It is absolutely a lubricant - it is a combination "lubricant, rust preventive, penetrant and moisture displacer". Whether it's the correct or best lubricant for many applications is iffy, but that doesn't mean it isn't a lubricant!

[Scoundreller]

My recent trip to the ground was sufficient proof to me that even water is a lubricant.

[marcosdumay]

Depending on where you apply it, it's absolutely a lubricant.

[b00ty4breakfast]

From personal experience, I can count on one hand the number of times that wd40 (edit: at least the canonical formulation) has been the best lubricant for a given application.

[cucumber3732842]

Being a recognized household name makes it infinity less likely you'll have someone complaining if you use it in a "nice" setting.

That makes it the "best" for a lot of "anything works" applications.

[convolvatron]

for me its that its not at all long lasting. I guess it's fine as a cleaner, but even light mineral oil hangs around longer.

oh right, it also seems to leave a gummy residue, which is really not great for machine tools

[coredev_]

Is it? Please explain and provide sources. Just because it feels like a lubricant and maybe advertised as a lubricant it might not actually be a lubricant.

[preommr]

> Just because it feels like a lubricant and maybe advertised as a lubricant

Not the parent comment, but sometimes comments are so outrageous it makes me laugh.

Like what else do you even want at that point?

Source that you can put gas in your car? That pop tarts are food? Like yes, it's advertised as food, I can tell it's food, I've eaten it - but where is your source for it being food other than all that?

[dec0dedab0de]

If it reduces friction, it's a lubricant.

[CamperBob2]

Point being, if you're using it as a lubricant, you're using the wrong stuff. What it leaves behind isn't very useful as a lubricant... unlike, you know, an actual lubricant.

[rzzzt]

WD-40 is now the designation of a whole bunch of products, including chain grease.