lubricate your chain with WD40.

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Mick F
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Location: Tamar Valley, Cornwall

Re: lubricate your chain with WD40.

Post by Mick F »

Good question.

I wonder what "lube" is left after the WD40 solvent has evaporated?
Could it be just bog standard oil?
Mick F. Cornwall
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Philip Benstead
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Joined: 13 Jan 2007, 7:06pm
Location: Victoria , London

Re: lubricate your chain with WD40.

Post by Philip Benstead »

Would it not be better to recommend the following to spray the chain?

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine ... cant-400ml
Philip Benstead | Life Member Former CTC Councillor/Trustee
Organizing events and representing cyclists' in southeast since 1988
Bikeability Instructor/Mechanic
yakdiver
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Joined: 12 Jul 2007, 2:54pm
Location: North Baddesley Hampshire

Re: lubricate your chain with WD40.

Post by yakdiver »

Mick F wrote:Could it be just bog standard oil?


No I think it is better than that I did a test a while back :-
Two pieces of mild steel were degreased and polished, one was coated in WD40 the other 3 in 1 oil applied. Two egg cups were filled with a strong saline solution and left in all day, at night both pieces were taken out and left to dry to encourage oxidisation.
Brucey
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Re: lubricate your chain with WD40.

Post by Brucey »

good work fella!

science in action!

cheers
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Hobbs1951
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Joined: 15 Apr 2014, 10:48am

Re: lubricate your chain with WD40.

Post by Hobbs1951 »

What is it with people and WD40, the clue is in the name (Water Dispersant, formula 40), WD40 is a water dispersant first and does have some qualities of a penetrating oil - not strictly speaking a lubricant though.

Jon.
Brucey
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Re: lubricate your chain with WD40.

Post by Brucey »

Hobbs1951 wrote:What is it with people and WD40, the clue is in the name (Water Dispersant, formula 40), WD40 is a water dispersant first and does have some qualities of a penetrating oil - not strictly speaking a lubricant though.
.


eh?

They say it is a lubricant on their website. It says it is a lubricant on the can. It contains oil. It lubricates.

is there something complicated about that which I missed...? :shock:

cheers
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Kenn
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Joined: 22 May 2012, 6:04pm
Location: South Devon

Re: lubricate your chain with WD40.

Post by Kenn »

I think WD stands for water displacing. I believe the original objective was to formulate a water displacing lubricant and the 40th formula worked best. I used it as chain lube for many years. Quick spray every few days, or after a wet ride, and wipe excess off with a rag, removing surface dirt at the same time. Never cleaned the chain in solvent. Chains lasted 4-5 K miles. I switched to light oil for a while but that seems to collect a lot more dirt, so now use Halfords general purpose bike spray lube in the same way.
bainbridge
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Joined: 26 Oct 2014, 7:19pm

Re: lubricate your chain with WD40.

Post by bainbridge »

While I don't dispute the fact wd40 contains a lubricant I wouldn't use it myself because it is so light and most of it would fling off.

It would be better than nothing though.
gxaustin
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Re: lubricate your chain with WD40.

Post by gxaustin »

I have just bought some WD40 spray chain wax - no results as yet though.
Brucey
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Joined: 4 Jan 2012, 6:25pm

Re: lubricate your chain with WD40.

Post by Brucey »

bainbridge wrote:While I don't dispute the fact wd40 contains a lubricant I wouldn't use it myself because it is so light and most of it would fling off..


you need to let it dry (overnight preferably) before you ride the bike.

cheers
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mig
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Joined: 19 Oct 2011, 9:39pm

Re: lubricate your chain with WD40.

Post by mig »

(i was given some muc off wet lube as a gift recently...no matter how long i leave it after application the chain still chucks plenty of it onto the rear rim :( )
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