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27-10-2015, 09:34
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 2
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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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27-10-2015, 09:49
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Houston
Boat: ‘01 Catana 401
Posts: 9,626
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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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27-10-2015, 09:58
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Oregon
Boat: Seafarer36c
Posts: 5,563
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Re: WD 40
It also collects dirt. Might as well use diesel fuel.
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27-10-2015, 10:05
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,482
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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.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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27-10-2015, 15:41
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
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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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27-10-2015, 15:49
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#6
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: near Lake Erie
Boat: 1984 Catalina 22, 2005 Carolina Skiff 24, 1989 BW Outrage 19, BW SS 15
Posts: 546
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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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27-10-2015, 15:58
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,482
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Re: WD 40
Quote:
Originally Posted by a64pilot
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.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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27-10-2015, 16:25
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
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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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27-10-2015, 16:59
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Florida
Boat: Compass 47
Posts: 603
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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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27-10-2015, 17:51
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Oregon
Boat: Seafarer36c
Posts: 5,563
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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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27-10-2015, 18:19
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Caribbean live aboard
Boat: Camper & Nicholson58 Ketch - ROXY Traverse City, Michigan No.668283
Posts: 6,356
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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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27-10-2015, 18:35
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Niagara Falls
Boat: Westsail 32
Posts: 629
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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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27-10-2015, 18:35
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toronto, Canada
Boat: Luders 33 - hull 23
Posts: 1,787
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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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27-10-2015, 19:03
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Oregon
Boat: Seafarer36c
Posts: 5,563
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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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27-10-2015, 19:11
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Brisbane, Australia.
Posts: 1,338
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Re: WD 40
Fish love WD40 just spray a bit on your bait or lures.
__________________
Simon
Bavaria 50 Cruiser
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