No other remedy is credited with so much beneficial properties, like automotive fluid WD-40. Let's figure out which of them are reality and which are fiction.

What is WD-40

The drug WD-40 was developed in 1953 by Norman Larsen for the Convair company, part of the General Dunamics concern, which carried out orders from the US military department.

Initially, the drug was positioned as a water-repellent agent (hence the abbreviation WD - Water Displacement), preventing corrosion and was intended for industrial consumers.

After it was discovered that the water-repellent liquid had a number of other useful properties, its production was launched in aerosol cans for household use, and in order to fight off the smell of oil, since 1961, a new component was introduced into the composition of WD-40 liquid - flavoring.

What does it consist of anyway?

In order to avoid declassification of the manufacturing technology, the aerosol preparation WD-40 was not patented, and its exact formula is carefully protected, being a trade secret.

A mandatory document in the United States, the safety data sheet, states that the product consists of 50% solvent based on white spirit, 25% propellant (carbon dioxide) to create pressure in the cylinder, and 15% mineral oil. , the remaining 10% of the volume is occupied by various inert ingredients.

Specialists from the testing center for petroleum products "MosTest" obtained slightly different results after analyzing the miracle liquid using a gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer.

In addition to white spirit, carbon dioxide and flavoring, they discovered a whole family of alkane hydrocarbons in the composition of WD-40 liquid: cyclohexane, nonane, tetradecane, decane, undecane and dimethyl naphthalene. It is to them that WD-40 owes its impressive versatility.

Let's look at the main properties of WD-40 liquid as stated by the manufacturer.

Displaces moisture and forms a barrier against dampness

The product does an excellent job of displacing and replacing moisture, so after treating the surface with it, all the liquid is displaced by the “wedge”, and a thin protective layer that does not conduct electricity is formed on the surface.

Take note of this property if you absolutely need to start a wet engine, but don’t have time to wait for it to dry.

The manufacturer did not (intentionally?) indicate the time during which the surface treated with the drug will have water-repellent properties. We will do this for him, pointing out that WD-40 forms a SHORT-TERM barrier against dampness.

Protects against corrosion

WD-40 liquid cannot protect against corrosion because it is an aggressive substance, and the supposedly protective film, after drying, exposes the dehydrated and degreased metal surface to corrosion.

Numerous tests of the protective properties of the product, carried out personally at home and descriptions of similar experiments published on the Internet, indisputably prove that the metal surface begins to become coated after 2-3 weeks of exposure to the open air, regardless of whether it is treated with “Vedashka” or not.

Lubricates parts without leaving a greasy residue

Another discrepancy between the declared property and the real one. Here, as in the case of the barrier against moisture, the manufacturer was required to write that WD-40 lubricates the parts for a short period of time.

Yes, indeed, a creaking door hinge treated with the product instantly subsides, since the “Vedashka” will dissolve and displace rust and dirt, but after some time, when the liquid has completely dried, the creaking will appear again and you will again process the evil hinge, and then be touched by the fact that How wonderfully WD-40 works!

Have you ever had to cut down a padlock that was trustingly treated with a Vedeshka for the winter and completely rusted a few months before it became monolithic?

Penetrates mechanisms, freeing rusted parts

There is no arguing here, the product works one hundred percent. After moistening a rusty nut or bolt, after a few minutes you can unscrew it without much difficulty.

This miracle liquid makes life significantly easier for mechanics and car enthusiasts. A similar effect can be achieved by moistening the rusted parts of the mechanism with brake fluid or kerosene.

But “Vedeshka”, due to the absence unpleasant odor and the convenience of application from an aerosol can, has pushed ancient rust dissolving agents far into the depths of garage shelves. It is difficult to find a garage that does not have the treasured can of “magic” liquid.

Easily removes stains of grease, bitumen and glue

Excellent for removing adhesive tape, labels and adhesive residue from any surface. “Saves” a child’s hair from getting stuck in it, and also easily removes chewing gum from clothes made of all types of fabrics.

Removes rust and limescale from the surfaces of pipes, bathtubs and toilets. The list of what the product created by Norman Larsen can wash off or remove can be continued almost indefinitely.

But this is how the mixture should behave, half of the volume of which is occupied by white spirit, which perfectly dissolves, washes off, removes, removes, etc.

When to use Vedashka

— In cases where you need to quickly “dry” the engine, electrical installation or electronic module;

— To remove stains of a wide variety of nature;

— To remove and dissolve rust.

When writing the article, in no case was the goal to discredit the good name of WD-40 liquid. You need to understand that there is no one liquid for all occasions, just as there is no cure for all diseases.

Correct and competent use of even such a universal product as WD-40 will save you from unpleasant moments, disappointments and unnecessary financial costs.

Good luck to you! May everything work out for you!

Almost all motorists have WD-40 lubricant in their arsenal. With its help, you can greatly facilitate the process of car repair and its regular maintenance.

Without WD-40, it is unlikely that you would be able to easily unscrew all the rusted parts of the car or elements that are stuck to each other.

What is WD-40 lubricant?

- aerosol universal lubricant, which also has properties of resistance to moisture and an anti-corrosion effect.

It can be used to process various surfaces, especially since the elements included in WD-40 are characterized by high penetrating properties. This makes it possible to expand the use of lubricant and use it to treat the most difficult to reach areas.

So, using WD-40 you can lubricate the threads of a bolt. The product tolerates high and low temperature, so it can be used in everyday life.

Characteristics

Lithium grease WD-40 has been widely used for over 50 years. Manufacturer Norman Larsen did not immediately make a composition that satisfied such strict requirements - it took him many attempts, and only on the fortieth time (this figure is recorded in the name) he got the liquid that we still use today.

The country that produces the lubricant, the USA, is proud of its “origin”, and the company keeps the composition of the aerosol a closely guarded secret. It was even decided not to patent the development, so that none of the competitors would find out what the secret of the lubricant is. Hence the lack of analogues. Next we will look at what the spray has WD-40 characteristics. The company, or rather the country where it operates, has lifted the veil of secrecy a little. In order to obtain permission to manufacture and sell products, the company was required to obtain a “safety data sheet” - it indicates the ingredients.

However, in the case of WD-40, the passport only talks about 90% of the ingredients included in the composition:

• White Spirit,
• carbon dioxide,
• mineral oil,
• hydrocarbons-alkanes.

Where is WD-40 used?

The aerosol can be used for:

1. Rusted threads that need to be treated. The rust will be partially removed, and the element being treated will receive the necessary lubrication.
2. Terminals and connections in the electrical circuit of a car - using the product you can remove water and protect the surface of these elements from subsequent oxidation.
3. Defrosting the door lock. When this element freezes, WD-40 penetrates inside, dissolves the ice and displaces the moisture formed inside it out.
4. Reducing friction between car elements. The aerosol creates an oil film that reduces friction. However, this effect will not be long-lasting.

You can find many different cans of WD-40 in stores, the most common being 400 ml or 200 ml containers.

Please note that when working with lubricant, you must follow safety precautions - do not work near open flames and avoid contact with eyes. After processing one or another element, you should wait for some time until all the characteristics of WD-40 manifest themselves. This also applies to those moments when some element may freeze, and you treat it with WD-40. Spray the aerosol after parking your car to prevent it from freezing.

How to make WD-40 spray or its equivalent yourself?

Despite the fact that the full composition of the lubricating fluid is unknown to anyone, its key components have already been declassified and therefore the product still has analogues.

• Yes, there is Silicone Grease Multi-Spray Plus 7, which copes with all the same tasks that WD-40 faces.

However, sometimes situations arise in which neither WD nor its analogue is available. This is where improvised means can come to the rescue traditional methods, which will make it possible to make a similarity DIY WD-40.

The legendary WD-40 lubricant is very popular all over the world, but not everyone knows about the real capabilities of this product. Read about what WD-40 lubricant is, what is special about it, what characteristics it has, and how it should actually be used.

What is WD-40 lubricant?

WD-40 (Water Displacement) is a universal aerosol lubricant and the name of the American manufacturer of this product. The lubricant formulation was developed in 1953 by chemist Norman Larsen (as legend has it, on the fortieth attempt, which is reflected in the name of the product), and it was initially intended to protect against corrosion the skin of aircraft and the first American launch vehicles, and only later other useful properties became known. quality of this drug.

The exact formulation of the product is unknown and is kept secret by the manufacturer, however, as a result of various studies, it was possible to learn about the main components of the lubricant. It has been reliably established that up to 50% of the composition is occupied by ordinary white spirit, about 15% is made up of mineral oils, another 25% is occupied by carbon dioxide (it acts as a displacer for producing an aerosol), the remaining 10% is made up of various hydrocarbons of the alkanes group and fragrances.

We especially note that WD-40 does not contain silicone, therefore the WD-40 brand lubricants on the market with a “silicone” additive are not original preparations, but products of other manufacturers. There is no violation or counterfeit here: the lubricant formulation, in order to keep it secret, is not patented, so, in principle, anyone can produce it. However, it is not difficult to understand that the original lubricant and its numerous “clones” can differ significantly in characteristics.

WD-40 lubricant is surrounded by many legends and myths, which for the most part are completely harmless and only serve as additional advertising. However, there are a number of legends that push people to use lubricants incorrectly, which can lead to negative results. Therefore, first of all, we should consider what WD-40 lubricant actually is, what characteristics it has, and what it is capable of in reality.

Purpose and characteristics of WD-40

WD-40 lubricant has several main effects:

• Displaces moisture - due to its high fluidity, the composition penetrates into microscopic cavities (pores, cracks), displacing moisture from them;
• Provides short-term protection against water and corrosion;
• Separates rusted parts of mechanisms - the composition penetrates the rust layer, partially dissolves it and creates a thin layer of lubricant between the parts, which ultimately allows the parts to be separated;
• Removes various contaminants - thanks to the presence of a solvent, the lubricant fights grease and bitumen stains, glue residues, etc.;
• Provides short-term protection against dust and dirt.

Also, several other qualities are attributed to the lubricant that are not true:

• Long-term anti-corrosion protection is a myth, WD-40 only removes moisture and protects metal products from water for a short time, but due to evaporation this protection is lost;
• Lubrication of moving parts is not the case; although the product contains mineral oils, their quantity is not enough for complete lubrication. Moreover, the solvent included in WD-40 removes traces of old lubricant, which only worsens the operation of the mechanism;
• The lubricant does not leave marks and does not evaporate - this is also a misconception; the lubricant contains white spirit and volatile hydrocarbons, which evaporate quite quickly, and mineral oils leave noticeable stains.

It should also be noted that WD-40 is not suitable for all surfaces - the lubricant can negatively affect some plastics, and its prolonged contact with the skin is not recommended.

Using WD-40 in Various Situations

In general, the instructions for using WD-40 are extremely simple:

1. Apply the composition to the surfaces to be treated (you can spray it over a large surface or apply it pointwise hard to reach places using a tube);
2. Wait a few minutes for the lubricant to penetrate into the cavities;
3. Perform work that was difficult before applying the lubricant.

However, in a number of situations, variations in the recipe are possible.

Treatment of rusted threaded and other connections. This is the most common situation in which WD-40 is used. Everything is simple here - you need to apply lubricant to the connection, wait a few minutes, and try to unscrew the nut, bolt or screw. It is recommended to apply the compound directly to the threaded connection, being careful not to get it on the edges of the bolt/nut or into the screw slot, as this may impair the adhesion of the fastener to a wrench or screwdriver.

Fighting corrosion. This means removing rust and traces of corrosion. various types from parts, rather than protecting them from corrosion. The lubricant must be applied to the part, wait and remove the rust with a wire brush or another way. This method is suitable for processing any metal products, as well as electrical terminals.

Cleaning rubbing parts of mechanisms. In this case, it is necessary to lubricate all parts, wait a while, and then clean and wipe everything dry with a rag. If the mechanism needs lubrication to function, then you cannot leave WD-40 in it! After treatment, the composition must be removed and the mechanism lubricated with the lubricant intended for it. As stated above, WD-40 dissolves the old lubricant and gradually evaporates, so the rubbing parts treated with it soon remain without lubrication, begin to wear out intensively and undergo corrosion. Using WD-40 as a primary lubricant is a big misconception!

Defrosting locks and other mechanisms. In this case, the lubricant is used for its intended purpose - namely as a water displacer. To defrost the lock, you need to apply grease into the keyhole using a tube and wait a while. The lubricant does not completely dissolve the ice, but reduces its strength at the point of contact with the metal, which makes it easy to open a frozen lock. WD-40 can also provide short-term protection for locks from freezing - for example, you can lubricate a car lock in the evening, and it will open easily in the morning.

Removing contaminants. The lubricant can remove greasy and bitumen stains, residues of adhesives (Moment type adhesives, traces of tape and stickers, etc.), traces of chewing gum, tar, juices, soot and soot, and much more. To combat dirt, just spray WD-40, wait and remove it mechanically (with a rag, brush).

Short-term protection against moisture and corrosion. To do this, you need to spray the lubricant evenly over the metal surface. Such protection can last for several days, but in intense rain the lubricant can be washed off much faster. In closed cavities, the lubricant lasts longer, but even in this case it needs periodic renewal.

WD-40 also has a lot of non-standard uses. For example, it does a good job of repelling insects (you can fight wasp nests and even cockroaches), helps remove household contaminants (including on plumbing), solves problems with jammed parts (acts as a lubricant), etc. However, you should not rely on the Vedashka for everything - use it for its intended purpose, otherwise you risk only worsening the situation.

In almost every auto repair shop or private garage, in addition to all kinds of keys, tools, fixtures and other equipment, there is a product labeled “WD-40”. This aerosol, popularly called simply “Vedashka,” can greatly facilitate car repair and maintenance. Without the use of this product, stuck and rusted bolted connections that have not been loosened for a long time would still be a “headache” for an auto mechanic. But having WD-40 on hand, it is enough to treat the bolt or nut, wait a little for the product to take effect and begin unscrewing, which will be much easier after treatment. And this is only one of the properties of this product.

WD-40 - what is it?

WD-40 is an aerosol universal product with lubricating, anti-corrosion and water-repellent properties, intended for processing and lubrication different types surfaces. Some WD-40 components have good penetrating properties, which makes it possible to lubricate hard-to-reach areas (for example, threads in a bolted joint).

WD-40 has been known for more than half a century, but its primary purpose is not reliably known and is kept secret by the manufacturer. There are many legends, the main one of which says that the product was developed for the space industry and was intended to protect spacecraft elements from corrosion. Moreover, the product was not learned from its creator Norman Larsen immediately, but only on the fortieth attempt (hence the digital aerosol index). Later, WD-40 discovered a number of other positive properties, which made it possible to use the product for domestic purposes.

Whether this legend corresponds to reality is unknown, but it is true that WD-40 is a unique product of its kind. And the American manufacturing company, which has the same name - WD-40, carefully protects the composition of the aerosol, so much so that the product is not officially patented so that competitors do not recognize the ingredients. It turns out that the WD-40 company is the only manufacturer of this spray in the world.

Video: 10 LIFE HACKS WITH WD-40

WD-40 - composition and characteristics

And yet there is a document where the company indicates the composition of the Vedashka, although not completely. In the USA, such products are required to obtain a “safety data sheet”, where the ingredients are indicated. According to this document, WD-40 consists of:

• white spirit (50%);
• carbon dioxide (25%);
• mineral oil (15%);
• hydrocarbons-alkanes (10%).

This 90% simple composition has many useful properties, which makes this product popular.

White spirit is a solvent that occupies half of the composition of the product and is a component with high penetrating properties. In addition, it fights well with various types of fats, substances based on petroleum products, etc., which allows you to use WD-40 as a surface cleaning agent.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is ordinary carbon dioxide, which is needed in the composition to ensure atomization of the product, that is, it makes WD-40 an aerosol.

The mineral oil contained in the product provides a film after application that repels water, while it also has a lubricating effect. Carbon-alkanes also have a number of positive qualities, but their exact composition is unknown.

Application

The scope of use of WD-40 is very wide, although this product is most popular among motorists. Due to its properties, the aerosol is used for:

1. Treatment of rusted threaded connections. The oil and white spirit contained in the composition not only provide good penetration into the joint and its lubrication, but also partially remove corrosion products from the surface, so it is easier to unscrew the nut or bolt;
2. Treatment of terminals and connections of the electrical circuit of a car. The product displaces water and creates a protective film on the surface of the joints that prevents the occurrence of oxidative processes;
3. Defrosting the door lock. Injecting the product into the lock leads to the dissolution and displacement of water.
4. Reducing friction between vehicle components. By creating a protective oil film, friction can be reduced. But we note that this effect is short-lived, but the convenience of working with an aerosol allows you to lubricate surfaces where other means cannot be reached.

But WD-40 can be used not only in a car; the scope of its application, due to its properties, is very wide. It can be used not only on equipment, but in everyday life. The product perfectly fights all kinds of stains and corrosion, helps eliminate squeaks, and allows you to develop soured hinges. There are a lot of places where you can use this aerosol. In general, wherever lubrication or moisture protection is required, WD-40 is quite suitable.

One of the advantages of WD-40 is how easy it is to work with. Since the product is made in the form of an aerosol, all that is required is to spray it onto the desired surface. To treat hard-to-reach areas, the kit includes an extension nozzle that allows you to apply the product where it is very difficult to reach. In addition, using the nozzle, you can process the connection with high precision without wasting the aerosol.

But there are several nuances to working with it.

1. Firstly, you should not spray WD-40 over an open fire, since the product is flammable;
2. Secondly, it should not come into contact with the eyes or have prolonged contact with the skin.

When processing bolted joints, the product must be applied so that it does not get on the edges of the bolt or nut, otherwise the lubricating effect may cause the wrench to slip off. After treatment, you should wait some time for the product to penetrate into the compound and take effect. The same applies to the treatment of locks if they freeze. Alternatively, you can apply WD-40 immediately after parking the car. This will generally eliminate the possibility of freezing while the car is idle.

If, for example, you need to develop a soured door curtain, but you need to apply the product, wait a while and carefully begin to develop the element, periodically additionally treating it with the product to increase the lubricating effect.

Video: How to spot a fake: WD-40

Note that you don’t always have a “vehedashka” or its equivalent at hand, and you need to unscrew the rusted bolted connection. And folk methods can help with this.

To successfully unscrew a threaded connection, you can use kerosene or the same white spirit. They have high fluidity and will easily penetrate into the joint. The only thing is that they have weak lubricating properties, so you will have to put in more effort. You can also treat the bolt with diesel fuel, which, although not as fluid as kerosene, is a good lubricant.

Non-standard products include vinegar essence and the popular drink Coca-Cola. Acetic acid dissolves rust perfectly, so the essence is sufficient good remedy. As for Coca-Cola, it contains orthophosphoric acid, which also fights corrosion well. It is not for nothing that it is part of the corrosion inhibitors that are used to remove rust on a car body.

Don't forget about the folk way- hammer and chisel. This is a last resort option that will help get rid of a rusty nut or bolt, albeit forever.