WD40!!
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philljp
Posts: 21
After reading many forum posts and talking to friends there appears to be a huge difference of opinion in using WD40 to clean and degrease a bike chain before lubing it. In fact it seems to be like Marmite.
So here's a poll to see what people really think.
Feel free to give an explanation why, but just a vote is fine too
So here's a poll to see what people really think.
Feel free to give an explanation why, but just a vote is fine too
![:) :)](https://forum.bikeradar.com/resources/emoji/smile.png)
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Comments
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nah, cba with sprays, they waste most of the stuff in them and go where you don't want them. there are better degreasers and i usually pour a solution of water and something like finish line degreaser into a bottle and pop the whole chain in.0
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You seem kind of hung up on WD40.
I believe it is fun to sniff.I don't do smileys.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
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Parktools0 -
lol
Seems most people agree with you
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I bribed them to say that.I don't do smileys.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools0 -
ive not voted yes or no for the following reasons
- No because WD40 is not a lube so wouldnt use it for that
- Yes because if im in a rush after a ride in the wet and dont have chance to clean the bike straight away i will spray it over the chain and front and rear mech as it will stop rust until i can get to clean the bike and re lube correctly0 -
theshrew wrote:ive not voted yes or no for the following reasons
- No because WD40 is not a lube so wouldnt use it for that
- Yes because if im in a rush after a ride in the wet and dont have chance to clean the bike straight away i will spray it over the chain and front and rear mech as it will stop rust until i can get to clean the bike and re lube correctly
That's a vote for a yes then because you use it to displace water until you get the chance to sort it properly0 -
WD40 is a great degreaser, just never use it as a lube, which is what everyone says.0
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No, after each ride it takes 5 minutes to wipe it with lube until you can take it off and clean it.0
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It is great for flushing the crap out of those hard to reach places, like cable outers. It has its place like everything else.0
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Aye. But it's a crap lube, and a waste for cleaning. Not a very good penetrating oil either.
It does kill highland midges though.Uncompromising extremist0 -
GT85 is the answer. Still wouldnt use it as a lube but its a good degreaser, penetrating oil and gives my black anodised frame a lovely satin shine.Fig rolls: proof that god loves cyclists and that she wants us to do another lap0
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stubs wrote:GT85 is the answer. Still wouldnt use it as a lube but it gives my muscly body a lovely satin shine.I don't do smileys.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
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Parktools0 -
GT85 is functionally almost identical to WD40 tbh. Just smells nicer and has less stigma attachedUncompromising extremist0
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Yes.
It does what it says on the tin.Normal Disk 2009
Genesis Equilibrium Tiagra 2011
FCN 10 (only cycle in once a week though)
Alfa 156 SW0 -
And 85 is a higher number than 40, which means I would use GT85 on the basis it is faster.Plymouthsteve for councillor!!0
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WD40 to degrease the chain then wash in a bit of warm soapy water then warm water rinse to remove any soap as it dry's sticky, dry chain thorouhgly then chain lube for conditions your riding i:e wet or dry lubeZesty 514 Scott Scale 20 GT Expert HalfwayupMTB0
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Nothing wrong with wd40 but its not a lube
And if you want a degreaser brakecleaner will beat anything and it drys almost instantly0 -
For degreasing, why not use a proper bike degreaser? Pedro's Oranj peelz does the job very well, plus it smells very nice!
For non-chain lube jobs, can't beat a squirt of TF2. Keeps everything clean and shiny and working smoothly. Also smells nice.Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go - T.S. Eliot0 -
Ghostt wrote:For degreasing, why not use a proper bike degreaser? Pedro's Oranj peelz does the job very well, plus it smells very nice!
For non-chain lube jobs, can't beat a squirt of TF2. Keeps everything clean and shiny and working smoothly. Also smells nice.
And also i dont pay for my brake cleaner0 -
If something is rusty or seized solid then maybe, though I'd use 3-in-1 penetrating spray for really stuck stuff though. Much better at the job.
Otherwise no. For cleaning a chain, it's a bit harsh.
GT85 at least leaves a little lube behind, but again it's a degreaser really. Handy for shifting a patch of mud if you've just got out of the car and the bike is not too clean, or for cleaning off and lubing mechs, but watch out on bearings. I've used a mist of the stuff around pivots if they've a habit of creaking as my old GT did, just to shift dirt and lube a bit, but still careful and at a distance, not directed right into them. I'm more likely to use proper lube now though (general purpose / chain lube will do).
Generally, soap and water, or Muck-Off will do fine and not leave nasty residue.
For chains, apply chain lube afterwards.0 -
Wd40 attacks certain plastics so wouldn't touch with a barge poll0
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mattyg2004 wrote:Wd40 attacks certain plastics so wouldn't touch with a barge poll
Sprayed onto a bargepole would make for You've Been Framed moment though.I don't do smileys.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
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Parktools0 -
Well, if you will ride plastic bikes0
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cooldad wrote:mattyg2004 wrote:Wd40 attacks certain plastics so wouldn't touch with a barge poll
Sprayed onto a bargepole would make for You've Been Framed moment though.
I had a customer who emptied almost a can of the stuff into a tape deck because it was squeaking. We literally poured the stuff out. Told him it wasn't covered under warranty informed him that it was most likely his tape that was making the noise and left it with him.
We asked him why he decided to spray WD40 into it. He said it stops his door hinges from squeaking so thought it would be ok. Plus it doesn't say he can't use it. :shock:
I checked his instructions and he was right it doesn't say "Don't cover with WD40" it also doesn't say not to smash with a damn hammer.
What it did say was to refer to properly trained technician for service.
Some people are muppets0 -
mattyg2004 wrote:Its NOT plastic its damn CARBON.
it's just posh string and aralditeAnd not even with a lemon attached.
Uncompromising extremist0 -
Kill WD40, kill it with fire.0
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I very occasionally use it after wet/muddy rides, coat the drivetrain in it until the morning after when I can be bothered to clean the bike properly. Other than that I don't use it as I have no use for it.0
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I use WD40 after i wash my bike to help get rid of excess water on things like front/rear mechs, chain, cassette, pedals etc etc before i use a proper lube on them.
Its good if you use it for its intended use and dont expect anymore from it although i like the smell of GT85 loads more0 -
No... just no!2019 Ribble CGR SL
2015 Specialized Roubaix Sport sl4
2014 Specialized Allez Sport0