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Old 27-10-2015, 09:34   #1
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WD 40

Hi all,

My question is simple maybe, but I feel I need to sure.

Can I use WD40 in the engine compartment to clean and preserve all parts, including alternators, electrical connections etc. etc. Or...should I dismount two alternators, isolate all connectors and maybe waste hours of time?

Thanks for any kind of helpfull reply.
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Old 27-10-2015, 09:49   #2
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Re: WD 40

I'm not a fan of the lingering smell of wd40.

In our very tiny engine compartment I usually wash the engine and surrounding stuff every year and a half or so with soapy water, then after it's all dry I coat with boeshield. No problems yet.


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Old 27-10-2015, 09:58   #3
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Re: WD 40

It also collects dirt. Might as well use diesel fuel.
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Old 27-10-2015, 10:05   #4
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Re: WD 40

Yes you can. It doesn't last long enough to worry much about dirt though. Seemd to evaporate fast. Note the above comment regarding smell.
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Old 27-10-2015, 15:41   #5
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WD 40

I prefer Corrosion-X myself, but re the alternators. Unless I'm mistaken they have brushes, maybe carbon brushes and if so you don't want any kind of lubricant or oil inside of them where the brushes are. Don't remove them, just don't spray oil inside of them.

I used to be a fan of WD-40, but there are much better lubricants, better penetrating oils and much better preservatives than WD-40.


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Old 27-10-2015, 15:49   #6
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Re: WD 40

CRC. WD 40 leaves a varnish-like residue. You can buy it by the gallon and put it in a spray bottle.
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Old 27-10-2015, 15:58   #7
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Re: WD 40

Quote:
Originally Posted by a64pilot View Post
I prefer Corrosion-X myself, but re the alternators. Unless I'm mistaken they have brushes, maybe carbon brushes and if so you don't want any kind of lubricant or oil inside of them where the brushes are. Don't remove them, just don't spray oil inside of them.

I used to be a fan of WD-40, but there are much better lubricants, better penetrating oils and much better preservatives than WD-40.


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I agree. For a light coat while cleaning it's ok, but goes away fast.
CRC 5-56 is a great coating (like cosmolene used on spare parts for the military etc), but it stay s tacky so not really a good engine spray.
Corrosion does seem to last real long. Try spraying it on a screwdriver blade and try wiping it off... seem to stick on there pretty good.


I have seen it recommended for electrical parts though.. surprised me too.
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Old 27-10-2015, 16:25   #8
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WD 40

If you really want a cosmoline like coating, like the coating that is put on steel cables for instance, use this stuff, I may put it all over my windlass, the part that sits in the anchor locker.
This stuff cleans up better than Cosmoline with mineral spirits and can be thinned well with Mineral spirits too, or gasoling, paint thinner etc.
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...aralketone.php

Really make a mess out of an engine though, but if you have a newly machined crankshaft, you can coat it with this stuff and leave it outside, it's like a wax / grease .


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Old 27-10-2015, 16:59   #9
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Re: WD 40

I give my motor a soapy wipe down every 6 months and then hit it with some wax. I do WD40 the motor mounts.
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Old 27-10-2015, 17:51   #10
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Re: WD 40

LPS has a great line of stuff. #1, #2 , #3. All 3 are mil. spec., unlike wd-40. #1 is like WD -40 #2 is thicker and #3 is a heavy waxy oil coating.
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Old 27-10-2015, 18:19   #11
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Re: WD 40

First, WD40 is NOT oil. Some people seem to think of it as a lubricant. It is a paraffin based material, sort of like cosmoline or heavy grease dispersed in a solvent. When the solvent leaves, only the sticky goo remains. This attracts dirt. If you preserve engine parts in WD40 you first need to wash off the goop before using them. There are many other better alternatives noted above.
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Old 27-10-2015, 18:35   #12
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Re: WD 40

For WD-40, the WD stands for 'Water Displacement', and it's the 40th formulation that they tried when they developed it. It is intended to Displace Water on wet gasoline engine ignition systems, when you've run your car through a puddle and the engine has stalled because the ignition wires and distributor (inside) are wet (Anybody else remember those days??). It's very versatile. It has been used for a lot of other things since its introduction.

Years ago the company held a contest for the best non-water displacement use of WD-40. The winner used it to remove price stickers and labels off store bought items. As I remember, he won a two year supply of WD-40, and some cash.

Keeping in mind that it is meant to spray ignition systems, accordingly it should be OK to use as the OP asks. And don't much get it near rubber based glue, the goop that holds labels on hard surfaces.
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Old 27-10-2015, 18:35   #13
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Re: WD 40

Penetrating oils should be kept away from the transmission or anywhere the solvent can attack the seals, rubber, or the like.
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Old 27-10-2015, 19:03   #14
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Re: WD 40

I thought WD-40 was developed to protect rocket ship skins. At least that was the reason it was made in the first place. Maybe starting an old car was a bonus feature.
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Old 27-10-2015, 19:11   #15
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Re: WD 40

Fish love WD40 just spray a bit on your bait or lures.
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