WD40?


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Grey Ranger

Grey Ranger

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No no, not to "lubricate" your axe for use. *coughnutnfancycough*
But, is it a good substitute for gear oil when coating your axe head to prevent rust?

I just finished Cold Bluing my Cold Steel Trail Hawk, and its got a film of rust on pretty much the whole thing. i'm assuming this is a sideaffect of the bluing, because I didn't put any oil on the head after I blued it, and it didn't rust at all like this before i blued it.

I dont have any Gun oil, and i dont think i have any machine oil, so will WD40 work?
 
I've used it for a "coating" before on guns when out overnight in misty weather.

I've also used it on carbon blades in the past. No worries. Just don't use it on anything you will use to prep food !:18:
 
The name "WD-40" was short for water displacement, formula forty. The stuff was originally designed to keep water away from metal to prevent rusting, so it should be a good choice.
 
Well, there we have it. Ive used it a lot before, and i'm a big fan. Never knew what the WD stood for though.

I do know, however, that their patented secret formula, is mostly Shark Oil. That's right, juts a variety of Fish Oil. if not for a few additives WD40 would be entirely edible!
 
PB blaster is God's gift to the fool that buys a 94 ford ranger wit 275k miles on it. I got it for a thousand bucks as a project car, so im not really out any money, but trying to turn those rusted nuts and bolts... on nearly every part... Not to mention replacing brake parts... I love PB blaster
 
scojo said:
The name "WD-40" was short for water displacement, formula forty. The stuff was originally designed to keep water away from metal to prevent rusting, so it should be a good choice.
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Not just any metal...metal on the fuel tanks (I'm pretty sure it was the fuel tanks) of intercontinental ballistic missiles! The Atlas flavor i believe.

Additionally, its very popularly used as a coating for firearms and blades - again, as was said, just nothing you would prepare or consume food with. Other than that, if you can deal with the stink...go for it!
 
Grey Ranger said:
Well, there we have it. Ive used it a lot before, and i'm a big fan. Never knew what the WD stood for though.

I do know, however, that their patented secret formula, is mostly Shark Oil. That's right, juts a variety of Fish Oil. if not for a few additives WD40 would be entirely edible!
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And that is why an old fishing trick is to hit your lures with it. Works like an attractant I guess.
 
Break Free CLP

I have used Break Free CLP fir a few years now to protect my firearms in storage from rust.
There have been several independent comparison tests done and Break Free CLP has always come out on top.

It's easy to find, WalMart carries it by the gun cleaning stuff in the store near me.

Here's link to one of the tests
http://www.thegunzone.com/rust.html

Here's another gun oil test, Eezox or Corrosion-X did best here, Break Free CLP did well:
http://www.6mmbr.com/corrosiontest.html

Regards, Tom
 
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WD 40 is ok , but see if you can find Boeshield T-9 made by the Boeing company. Best metal protectant I've come across. I use it for long term storage of guns and knives as well as a daily lube.

:)
Pete
 
WD-40 has a lot of mineral spirits in it. Their site says no fish oil at all. I smear RIG (Rust Inhibiting Grease) on a flannel n wipe most everything after exposure to moisture. Use Turtle (car) Wax on firearms, knives, etc as well.
 
CastLug said:
WD40 is crap, it's only use is to loosen bolts or to kill wasps.
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It might not make a very good heavy-duty lubricant, but it works just fine for preventing rust for short-term storage. It's cheap and readily available and almost every household has a can of the stuff.

If you have it, go ahead and use it (again, provided that you don't intend to use it in food prep!).

If you decide to find and use a better rust preventative in the future, no problem, just clean off the WD40 and put something else on instead. It's no big deal. :)
 
WD 40 can be used for a lubricant the same as water. Just not as good in comparison to oil lubes. It is great if you have a new machined cam, crank, or motor to store and prevent rust.
 
I was told that it was predominantly kerosene and there were a few additives to that. I use it to clean the gunk of my growning sewing machine collection, and it breaks those parts free pretty well, but as a long term or even short term protectant, I do not like the build up and residue it leaves behind. I would just go out and get some RIG or even just some 3 in 1 oil.
 
Hmmm maybe all that WD-40 on my frying pan is the reason for my mental problems... just kidding. Not to jack the thread, but what do people use for cooking oil/food prep knives? Preferably in a small aparatus or container thats condusive to packing up for trips.
 
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NoMoreOp4 said:
Hmmm maybe all that WD-40 on my frying pan is the reason for my mental problems... just kidding. Not to jack the thread, but what do people use for cooking oil/food prep knives? Preferably in a small aparatus or container thats condusive to packing up for trips.
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While I usually don't carry anything to cook that needs oil, for food prep knives in the field I carry a ziplock with a cooking food oil on a paper towel inside. Just give the blade a wipe as needed.
 
look into balistol as a general purpose use. Orginally invented for the German Army in the 1900.'s It can be used on wood, leather, metal and it is food safe. I carry a small aersol can when I am out in the boonies. Awesome stuff:
 
I was told by my Grandpa waaay back that WD had Sperm Whale oil in it, but then it became impossible for them to get it and it had to be reformulated.. Je said it was the best back when it had that in it, but I don't kow if that is fact or not..
I'm surprised no one has mentioned any of the "silicone" based lubricants.. I have used those for years, seems to work well. Not sure about food prep, but it is supposed to leave a micro-thin layer of silicone that prevents rust, binding, etc... Anyone else use it?
 
WD40 is the classic jack of all trades. It has hundreds of uses and something else does everyone of them better. It is barely functional for a lot of things but it will work on just about everything. It is an amazing and pitiful product at the same time.
 
KajunKat said:
WD40 is the classic jack of all trades. It has hundreds of uses and something else does everyone of them better. It is barely functional for a lot of things but it will work on just about everything. It is an amazing and pitiful product at the same time.
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So true. Amazing and pitiful product at the same time.

Use it if it's the only thing you have. For many people who aren't "handy", the extent of their garage chemicals is a can of WD-40. That's fine.

However, as with all things: using the right tool for the task will always give you better results.

If you are trying to prevent rust on a knife or axe, you'll be best off with a dry film lubricant. A dry film lubricant uses a fast drying carrier to deposit wax or silicon onto the surface. You spray it on, the liquid dries, and leaves a film of wax or silicon on whatever it is you spray. The benefits are that it is dry to the touch, and forms a consistent barrier layer against oxidation. This is great for long term storage, as well as things that require immediate use. No need to wipe grease off of your blades before you put them back into the sheath. (Don't store things in the sheath long term--trapped moisture in the leather can damage your blades).

If you are going to be using your knife to cut food, then your only choice is a mineral oil. Mineral oil (like unscented baby oil) is nontoxic and safe to consume in small amounts. Mineral oil is used to condition cutting boards and the like as well. People often recommend olive oil, but I will say not to use olive oil. Olive oil can and does go rancid.
 
WD-40 is one of those products I’ve used my whole life but have never found anything that it was really great at.

Squeaky hinges squeak again soon, it gums up guns, it isn’t heavy enough to serve as much of a lubricant. I do use it to wipe down tools because it is cheap and is in the garage. And it smells good. :D
 
WD40 has a lot of uses in the shop but using it on firearms isn't one of them. I used to use it on the action of my sxs shotgun. The gunsmith who repairs my firearms asked me not to use it. It drys sticky, attracts dust and chaff, and gums up the works. Probably okay on the exterior but not on the interior of lock mechanisms, springs, or levers. That was about 20 years ago and assuming they have not changed the formula (where is WD41?) I won't use it a gun.
 
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