March 9th, 2012Top Story When Should I Not Use WD-40? WD-40 was first used by the military in the '50s to clean up Atlas missile parts. Today, it's used by people everywhere to clean up virtually everything in need of a gleam. But don't go spraying the stuff just anywhere. WD-40 can cause more harm than good to certain household items. The DIY enthusiasts at Stack Exchange chime in. Photo by Jorge Barrios. Question: It seems like WD-40 can be used to lubricate just about any moving metal part. But is this true? Are there instances when WD-40 can be harmful? — sharptooth (originally asked here) Answer: Hold Up... WD-40 isn't actually a true lubricant. WD stands for "water displacing" and its main use is as a solvent or rust dissolver. The lubricant-like properties of WD-40 come not from the substance itself, but from dissolving components. And the effect doesn't last. WD-40 can be a good substance to start with — it can help clean up rust or other grime. But depending on what you're working with, you should probably follow up WD-40 with use of a true lubricant such as one based on silicone, grease, Teflon, or graphite. — Answered by Cody C Accepted Answer: Firearms, Drive Chains & Gears Firearms - You should never use WD-40 to clean or maintain firearms. WD-40 is hygroscopic and will attract moisture to the firearm which will result in rust. Drive chains of any type - Because WD-40 isn't a lubricant, it really will not work well on drive chains of any type. Gears of any type - WD-40 doesn't have enough lubrication affect to be useful on any type of gearing. Only specified gear lubricants should be used in this case. — Answered by nevadaexile Answer: Door Hinges Never JUST use WD-40 on door hinges or anything you want to keep clean. It attracts dirt and dust. It will turn your hinge pins black. — Answered by shirlock homes Answer: Bicycle Chains WD-40 can wash dirt into a bike chain, ruining the chain and taking out the gears along with it. Stay away, cyclists. — Answered by Mathew Answer: Musical Instruments My sister works at a music store. She said a dad ruined his kid's $800 clarinet by using WD-40 on "the squeaky part" — and no, that isn't the entire clarinet. — Answered by AnonJr Alternative Answer: Rubik's cubes Serious cubers will lube their cubes with Jigaloo, CRC silicone, or even vaseline. They will point and laugh at noobs who use WD-40, which contains petroleum distillates (paint thinner) that can melt and seize a cube. Crazy, I know, but noobs keep doing it. — Answered by cidermonkey Think you know where WD-40 should never go? Leave your suggestion in the comments or submit it at Stack Exchange, an expert knowledge exchange on diverse topics from software programming to cycling to scientific skepticism.

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