WD-40 (Water Displacement at the 40th attempt) (DIY in general)

Member Name: Ric!

Product:	DIY in general
Date:	25/11/01 (3009 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Inexpensive, Versatile

Disadvantages: Easy to lose the straw

Having just used WD-40 to un-stick my jammed car door lock, I think it deserves a mention on dooyoo.

Have you ever wondered why this lubricating substance in a squirty can is actually called "WD-40" ??
In 1953, a chemist called Norm Larsen was trying to produce a substance to prevent rust. He was working for a company called the Rocket Chemical Company, and they were trying to design a product for use in the aerospace industry. The principle on which they were basing their product was to displace water, thereby preventing corrosion. (Rust formation requires moisture AND air.) Eventually, Norm Larsen successfully produced the finished product that he had been striving for, but it had taken him forty attempts! And so was born WD-40........ Water Displacement at the 40th attempt!

WD-40 was a success in the aerospace industry. It was soon realised that WD-40 could also be used effectively around the home, and in 1958 became available to the public on the shelves of some stores in San Diego, California, where the company was based. In 1969, the Rocket Chemical Company changed its name to that of its only product and became the WD-40 Company. Since then, they have gone on to develop several other products.

The most common way that we buy WD-40 is in an aerosol can (the propellant in the aerosol is Carbon Dioxide), with a straw attachment. It is available in a variety of different sized cans. Approximate prices are:
200ml aerosol - £1.50
400ml aerosol - £2.50
600ml aerosol - £3.50
It is available from virtually all hardware stores such as Homebase, B&Q, Wickes, etc as well as many large supermarkets, and, of course, online at sites such as www.tooltastic.com. The straw attachment fits into the nozzle of the spray and allows for distribution of the WD-40 in hard to reach places, and also a more accurate application method.

What are its uses? Well, WD-40 claims to have 5 basic functions:

>(the following is quoted from www.wd40.com)
CLEANS: WD-40 gets under dirt, grime and grease to clean. It also dissolves adhesives, allowing easy removal of labels, tape and excess bonding material.
DISPLACES MOISTURE: Because WD-40 displaces moisture, it quickly dries out electrical systems to eliminate moisture-induced short circuits.
PENETRATES: WD-40 loosens rust-to-metal bonds and frees stuck, frozen or rusted metal parts.
LUBRICATES: WD-40's lubricating ingredients are widely dispersed and tenaciously held to all moving parts.
PROTECTS: WD-40 protects metal surfaces with corrosion-resistant ingredients to shield against moisture and other corrosive elements.
(end quote)

As mentioned at the start of this, I recently used it to unstick my jammed car door lock. I simply sprayed some WD-40 into the keyhole, as well as spraying some onto the end of my key. A little wiggling around later and my car lock was working as good as new. A huge relief as I thought I was going to be faced with a large bill for a replacement, or face having to climb over from the passenger side every day.

I have also used it recently for:
- to stop a door hinge from squeaking.
- to fix a clock mechanism on my mother's carriage clock, which had stopped working despite new batteries. She had taken it to a watch repair shop and a jewellers, and both had said it couldn't be repaired and it needed to be sent back to the manufacturer. Along I came with my trusty can of WD-40 and gave it a squirt here and there and hey presto, one working carriage clock!!!

There are many further uses - things you would never imagine, for example, removing chewing gum from carpet! You can join the WD-40 Fan Club at www.wd40.com and you will get access to a list of over 2000 uses!! Other benefits of joining the fan club include; wallpaper for your computer, a newsletter and a downloadable WD-40 Spray Game.

All in all, thi
s is a wonderful product, inexpensive and versatile, and makes a valuable addition to anyone's toolbox, or cupboard.

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