I sprayed some on a metal car mechanism in the engine bay, thinking it would protect it from water... but that copper/yellow metal bit has now got a thin coating of rust on it within the space of a couple of months.
Also I got some on some rubber seals... like those big rubber things which sort of go over the inner axel, and I'm now worried the WD40 might rot it?
2007-08-12 15:03:59 · 11 answers · asked by Narky 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Some very good answers and gems of info - thanks.
I think perhaps the part i sprayed had a film of protective grease on it already and the WD-40 has removed it and attracted dirt (quite a bit) and caused the surface rust.
2007-08-12 15:22:31 · update #1
smooth, that's the first time I've heard of silicone lubricant damaging rubber. In fact I was specifically advised on a car forum by a number of people to use silicone spray lubricant on my rubber front door window runners... as they were stiff and stopping/friction the electric window rising up fluently.
2007-08-12 18:00:05 · update #2
WD-40 is a water displacer, thus "WD". Some people think WD-40 is a penetrating oil for loosening bolts, I'm not one of them. (I think Liquid Wrench is a good penetrating oil, and Kroil is a superb one, if you can get it.)
I think WD-40 could damage rubber, but your CV-joint boots will probably be fine since they are a) synthetic rubber, b) designed to be exposed to lubricants and solvents, and c) exposed to the elements, which have probably washed off the WD-40 by now.
If you want to protect something from water and rust, then prep it, prime it and paint it. WD-40 or penetrating oil isn't for that. If anything, they'll wash away thicker oils or waxes that might protect it better.
2007-08-12 15:12:40 · answer #1 · answered by Wolf Harper 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
WD40 is LANOLIN, like the grease on your skin. As supplied it is dissolved in a solvent. The solvent may attack some plastics/rubbers. The film left is not very tough and is easily penetrated so it doesn't give much rust protection. However if a metal is part covered the rust will appear first under the protected part, that's why it's important to get a full coverage of anti-rust agents.
2007-08-12 22:07:00 · answer #2 · answered by The original Peter G 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
nah wd40 is for loosening rust, thats all..
if say you have things like where the battery is, once wired up use grease on them
u don't say what u sprayed it with
as for the rubber seals, hhmm. they perish in time due to weather. are you on about the cv joint under the car?
that rubber housing will perish, but i never use anything on them..
does the car get moved a lot? if not that might be the problem also.. as i found out with my car.. the rain etc has a chance to settle , if u drive it doesn't.
2007-08-12 15:13:03 · answer #3 · answered by junglejungle 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It should not rot rubber, also it does not cause rust.
However, don't spray it around an axle, it is a light weight oil, it provides little protection against wear in a heavy duty application such as an axle. WD40 eats at rust to free up parts, so you are more likely to see rust after spraying a part, but i would only use it to free stuck bolts as dirt sticks to wd very easily, and dirt will cause rust.
2007-08-12 15:12:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
The oil will soak into the rubber and make it swell and become soft and will lead to failure. WD-40 is a penetrating oil and will evaporate over time. Use a heavier oil if you want to protect the bare metal, or use a silicon lubricant to help seal it.
2007-08-12 15:10:45 · answer #5 · answered by Fordman 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
WD40 is a petroleum distillate and does not contain any silicone its silicone that damages rubber plastic etc as it doesn't let it breath any motor cyclist who knows his nuts from bolts cleans his bike then sprays it with WD40 it protects the electrics from damp and helps chrome etc clean easier and makes black plastic bits shine without any elbow grease it will do no damage to your steering gaiters apart from making them shine
2007-08-12 17:45:45 · answer #6 · answered by smooth 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
WD 40 is NOT oil. it is a solvent. How many solvents lubricate or protect? Penetro 90 from Schaeffer's is the only penetrating oil that I have found to work.
2007-08-12 15:31:55 · answer #7 · answered by rat396 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I believe it does rot rubber, as it is mineral oil based. As to rusting things, I have found it seems to remove oil that may be on the parts and leave them open to rust. I noticed this on guns, and do not use it on them now.
2007-08-12 15:12:01 · answer #8 · answered by Poirot 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋
yes to everything , wd 40 isn't as good as everyone says it is.
2007-08-12 15:08:41 · answer #9 · answered by w00189wr 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Hi;I would get Colt45 spray it,s much better and won,t hurt anything.If it does it should say on the can.OK.........jw
2007-08-12 15:10:29 · answer #10 · answered by whitfield185 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋