"2000 Unofficial Uses for WD-40". (I love "unofficial".)

UPDATE: longtime reader John Palmer helpfully points out that at the WD-40 page, this list is described as "official". But when you download the list, the first paragraph reads as follows:

The uses of WD-40 described on this website were provided to WD-40 Company by end-users of the product, and do not constitute recommendations or suggestions for use of WD-40 by WD-40 Company. These uses have not been tested by WD-40 Company. Consumers should exercise common sense whenever using WD-40. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the WD-40 packaging.

So, apparently the list is an "Official Unofficial" list. Thanks to John and the company for clearing that up. :-)

Comments

[kyle N]

one screwdriver, one hammer, some duct tape, some WD-40, and a Swiss Army Knife, With these I can fix anything.

[Bob]

I once sprayed some WD-40 into an old manual Singer sewing machine to see if I could get the gears going more smoothly. Unfortunately, it the result was that the entire unit locked up but good. I had to call a sewing machine repairman who cluck clucked about all the idiots who screw up their sewing machines with WD-40.

[Bob]

I once sprayed some WD-40 into an old manual Singer sewing machine to see if I could get the gears going more smoothly. Unfortunately, it the result was that the entire unit locked up but good. I had to call a sewing machine repairman who cluck clucked about all the idiots who screw up their sewing machines with WD-40.

[JorgXMcKie]

Kyle, if it can't be fixed using that stuff it can't be fixed. Throw it away.

[brian]

WD-40 is a a 40 weight oil, but its in a Water Dispersant, so using it as a lubricant is a bad idea for a sewing machine or anything else like that. You can use it free something, like stuck gears, but then you'll need to remove the WD40 residue and use an appropriate lubricant.

I learned this at 14 trying to improve the bearings in my skateboard wheels- doh!

BTW the set designers on movies use WD-40 to make the wood paneling on old cars like Jeep Wagoneers shine!

[Butch Howard]

• Cleans gunk from electrical contacts

I am very suprised that they have this one on the list even with the disclaimer at the top.

Ten years ago my uncle got 3rd degree burns over a large part of his head and torso when a can of WD-40 exploded while he was using it to clean the electrical contacts on a starter motor. He won a very large suit against WD-40 because, at that time, there was a similar suggested use on the can. That suggestion is no longer on the cans and most cans have a warning about uses around electricity.