Triumphrat

01-16-2005

Hello!
I have recently read not to use WD40 on chrome as it contains silicon, which may permanently discolour it. Now I have been using WD40 for donkeys years and have never noticed any discolouration on chrome. Is this just an urban myth or what? If it is true, what can anyone suggest as an alternative?

Tony.

01-16-2005

Hello!
I have recently read not to use WD40 on chrome as it contains silicon, which may permanently discolour it. Now I have been using WD40 for donkeys years and have never noticed any discolouration on chrome. Is this just an urban myth or what? If it is true, what can anyone suggest as an alternative?

Tony.

billstokes · 01-16-2005

I've never heard of this "myth", and like you I've been using the product for more years than I care to admit. I'm not sure exactly what you mean when you write that you "use it on chrome." I've certainly never seen it discolor or otherwise adversely affect chrome. If you're just cleaning off stray grease and oil, try brake cleaner - just spray some on a rag and wipre - it dissolves oil and grease easily and leaves no oily residue. Of course, don't use it on painted surfaces. Bill

billstokes · 01-16-2005

I've never heard of this "myth", and like you I've been using the product for more years than I care to admit. I'm not sure exactly what you mean when you write that you "use it on chrome." I've certainly never seen it discolor or otherwise adversely affect chrome. If you're just cleaning off stray grease and oil, try brake cleaner - just spray some on a rag and wipre - it dissolves oil and grease easily and leaves no oily residue. Of course, don't use it on painted surfaces. Bill

01-16-2005

Hello!
I'm talking about "winterisation" here, using it as a protective barrier for riding in adverse conditions. The Triumph handbook for instance warns against its use on chromium plated parts. I tend to use it everywhere, even on painted surfaces and never had a probem.

Tony.

[ This message was edited by: Snetter on 2005-01-17 01:22 ]

01-16-2005

Hello!
I'm talking about "winterisation" here, using it as a protective barrier for riding in adverse conditions. The Triumph handbook for instance warns against its use on chromium plated parts. I tend to use it everywhere, even on painted surfaces and never had a probem.

Tony.

[ This message was edited by: Snetter on 2005-01-17 01:22 ]

dolson · 01-16-2005

Being that one of the things I do is have a custom firearms business, I am not one of those that has any likeing for WD-40. Actually I do because of the amount of work I have received refinishing firearms where the owner has used WD-40. I've made a lot of money rebluing their guns over the years. I do guarantee my work but will not if WD-40 is used and I can tell.

If you believe the WD-40 holy grail you believe that it is a water displacement oil. It is NOT. In fact there is a large amont of moisture in the mix that will get trapped between the sufrace you are trying to protect and the oil barrier.

There are many other products out there that are far superior in performance in cleaning, protecting and lubricating than WD-40.

The only way I would say use it is in an emergency situation where there was a lot of surface moisture on the part. You can hose it down with WD-40 and it will shed most of it but you need to follow up right away by completely wiping it dry with a good oil cleaner and then put a good quality protectant and or lube on.

There are very few products that will actually molecule for molecule displace moisture off of a surface and those are only short term that need to be followed up with a proper protectant.

Just my observation,

Don

dolson · 01-16-2005

Being that one of the things I do is have a custom firearms business, I am not one of those that has any likeing for WD-40. Actually I do because of the amount of work I have received refinishing firearms where the owner has used WD-40. I've made a lot of money rebluing their guns over the years. I do guarantee my work but will not if WD-40 is used and I can tell.

If you believe the WD-40 holy grail you believe that it is a water displacement oil. It is NOT. In fact there is a large amont of moisture in the mix that will get trapped between the sufrace you are trying to protect and the oil barrier.

There are many other products out there that are far superior in performance in cleaning, protecting and lubricating than WD-40.

The only way I would say use it is in an emergency situation where there was a lot of surface moisture on the part. You can hose it down with WD-40 and it will shed most of it but you need to follow up right away by completely wiping it dry with a good oil cleaner and then put a good quality protectant and or lube on.

There are very few products that will actually molecule for molecule displace moisture off of a surface and those are only short term that need to be followed up with a proper protectant.

Just my observation,

Don

01-17-2005

Thanks Dolson, that's very useful, I guess it's back to petroleum jelly, and what a pain in the arse that was!

When I was young and poor, I used to wipe my old Beeza down with an oily rag, mind you I needn't have bothered as it leaked that much oil anyway.

Tony.

01-17-2005

Thanks Dolson, that's very useful, I guess it's back to petroleum jelly, and what a pain in the arse that was!

When I was young and poor, I used to wipe my old Beeza down with an oily rag, mind you I needn't have bothered as it leaked that much oil anyway.

Tony.