WD-40® literally stands for Water Displacement, 40th formula. That's the name straight out of the lab book used by the chemist who developed the product back in 1953. The chemist, Norm Larsen, was attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion—a task which is done by displacing water. Norm's persistence paid off when he perfected the formula on his 40th try. Please see Our History for more information.
While the ingredients in WD-40® Multi-Use Product are secret, we can tell you what it does NOT contain. WD-40® Multi-Use Product does not contain silicone, kerosene, water, graphite, or chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
While this may vary depending on the application, WD-40® Multi-Use Product remains effective even after it appears to dry. The corrosion and rust protection ingredients remain adhered to the surface. External conditions may, of course, require additional applications of the product for maximum protection.
WD-40® is a product of persistent nature which is designed and manufactured to a high degree of specifications. The product should continue to perform as expected for an almost indefinite period of time. However, actual performance is affected by the longevity of mechanical items such as the valve assembly on aerosol cans. As such, the shelf life is considered to be 5 years from the date of production; however, product will often dispense and perform as expected for considerably longer. WD-40® should be stored between 4 degrees centigrade and 54 degrees centigrade, and always shaken before use.
Yes!
An aerosol is composed of a gaseous propellant and a liquid portion. An aerosol functions when the propellant forces the liquid out of the can. If there is no propellant, there is nothing to “activate” the aerosol.
When a WD-40® can is held upright, the propellant is at the top, and the liquid at the bottom of the can. The inner dip tube extends down into the fluid. There is also a small opening (a tap hole) at the very bottom of the valve. In the valve is a small ball bearing. When the can is in the upright position, the ball bearing blocks the path to the small hole in the valve. This way, the only exit is through the bottom of the dip tube, which lets out only the liquid product.
When the can is held upside down, the positions of the propellant and juice are reversed. But in this position, the ball bearing blocks the path to the bottom of the dip tube, and the opening at the bottom of the valve, in contact with the juice, is now open.
The worst position to hold a can of WD-40® is sideways. Here the ball bearing blocks neither hole, and you lose propellant and juice together. When all the propellant is gone, the aerosol will no longer function.
A propellant is the stuff that helps pump WD-40® Multi-Use Product out of the can. The propellant used is carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 is an inert gas which helps empty the can. Plus, the addition of CO2 reduced the number of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in the product, a step toward respecting and conserving the environment.
WD-40® Multi-Use Product can be used on just about everything. It is safe to use on metal, rubber, wood and plastic. It can also be applied to painted metal surfaces without harming the paint. Polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic are among the few surfaces on which to avoid using a petroleum-based product like WD-40® Multi-Use Product.
WD-40® Multi-Use Product is safe and effective to use on all types of sporting goods. It is a fantastic all-around maintenance product for bikes, as you can use it on frames to prevent them from rusting, to lubricate pivot points, to prevent mud from sticking and to displace moisture from bike components. Use WD-40® Multi-Use Product on watercraft to drive out moisture and to protect metal surfaces from corrosion.
Used for thousands of applications, WD-40® Multi-Use Product cans are now able to do something even more useful - hold onto that little red straw that was forever getting lost! The WD-40® Smart Straw® features a high-impact-resistant nozzle, 360-degree valve system and permanently attached straw, so WD-40® Multi-Use Product users will never lose the straw again®. Flipped down for a wide spray or flipped up for a pinpoint stream, the WD-40® Smart Straw® gives consumers a better way to spray!
For old cans of WD-40® Multi-Use Product, there is the NotchCap, designed to securely hold the straw in place when not in use. Simply snap the straw into the recessed slot on the top of the cap and it will stay there until removed. This is just another small step to keep WD-40® Multi-Use Product users smiling. Be sure to point the spray nozzle toward the dot on the top of the can to ensure that the can fully empties.
WD-40® does not meet any military specifications at this time.
The difference between Flammable and Combustible has to do with the Flashpoint. Flashpoint is the lowest temperature at which a liquid can form an ignitable mixture in air near the surface of the liquid. Flammable liquids have a lower flashpoint, meaning they can ignite at a lower temperature than Combustible liquids. Trigger Pro® is combustible, so it requires a higher temperature to ignite, and is therefore safer than flammable liquids.
WD-40® aerosol is considered flammable for other reasons beyond flashpoint. Aerosols must be tested for “flame extension” (how far a spray will carry a flame), and “flashback” (whether the spray carries the flame back toward the user). WD-40® does not have flashback, but can carry a flame forward, so it is categorized as flammable.
WD-40 Company does not have a formal sponsorship program at this time. We wish both new WD-40® brand fans and those who have been sponsored by WD-40 Company in the past best of luck in their endeavors. WD-40 Company does support projects and programs that improve the quality of life in the communities we serve and where our employees live and work. To learn more, please visit the Community Involvement page on our website. If you have questions or if you would like to submit an official request for assistance based on the guidelines listed, please send an email to communityinvolvement@WD40.com.
Since product “evacuation” problems – where some of the product may be left inside the can but not able to be sprayed – are common throughout the aerosol industry, they can affect some of the products we produce. If you are having trouble with an aerosol can not spraying (failure to evacuate), please try this brief troubleshoot:
If this still does not work, here are some times to prevent this from happening going forward:
For more information about product evacuation issues and how you can get the entire contents out of the can, please watch our Failure to Evacuate video below or call our customer service at 888-324-7596. We are actively seeking solutions to ensure the products you purchase meet and exceed your expectations on a daily basis, so thank you for your patience.
WD-40® Specialist® is a new line of best-in-class maintenance products specifically formulated to help you get specific tasks done with ease. The line includes: Carb/Throttle Body & Parts Cleaner, Industrial-Strength Cleaner & Degreaser, Stay and Spray Gel Lubricant, Rust Release Penetrant Spray, Water Resistant Silicone Lubricant, Protective White Lithium Grease, Long-Term Corrosion Inhibitor, Rust Remover Soak, Machine & Engine Degreaser, Dirt & Dust Resistant Dry Lube, Electrical Contact Cleaner Spray, Industrial-Strength Degreaser, Superior Performance True Multi-Purpose Grease, Heavy-Duty High Temperature Grease, Heavy-Duty Extreme Pressure Grease and Marine Grade Water Resistant Grease. WD-40® Specialist® products have been proven effective by multiple independent lab tests and outperform the leading competitors in standard ASTM performance tests.
The WD-40® Specialist® product line is an extension of the WD-40® brand. WD-40 Company realizes that sometimes tough jobs require products designed for specific applications (i.e., high-performing specialty lubricants, penetrants, rust removers, etc.) and WD-40® Specialist® is formulated for maximum performance to help workers get specific tasks done with ease. The WD-40® Specialist® line of products outperforms the competition in key performance areas.
WD-40® Multi-Use Product was invented in 1953 with five basic functions: It Lubricates, Penetrates, Protects, Removes, and Displaces Moisture. WD-40® Specialist® is a new line of specialty maintenance products designed to meet specific needs of professional users.
WD-40® Specialist® Spray & Stay Gel is a no-drip formula that provides long-lasting lubrication, while WD-40® Specialist® Rust Release Penetrant Spray is specifically formulated to blast through the toughest rust and free stuck parts.
WD-40® Trigger Pro® has several unique and superior characteristics that differentiate it from competitors on the market. It has a non-leaking bottle/trigger system with two different spray patterns, plus the control to dispense a few drops at a time. The shaped can is sturdier than competitive plastic bottles that may break when dropped. It also carries the WD-40® brand—the most trusted brand name in the lubricant category.
No, because WD-40® Trigger Pro® is a non-aerosol liquid. Aerosol products are a "net weight" measure that includes the propellant (3%).
No. WD-40® Trigger Pro® cannot be taken apart once assembled because of the Child Resistant Closure.
No product will be able to evacuate. However, pressure may build in the can and may dispense once you rotate the nozzle to stream or spray.
Yes, for a short amount of time.
Yes, it is the same great WD-40® Multi-Use Product formula.
The product comes equipped with a Child Resistant Closure as required by law and therefore cannot be easily opened once sealed. Removing the trigger can strip the closure and cause the can to leak.
The spray trigger system comes equipped with a Child Resistant Nozzle. In order to change between the spray patterns/settings, simply press down on the blue tab near the yellow tip on top of the trigger and turn nozzle to spray or steam.
Trigger Pro® may be sold in distributor retail locations, and therefore is required by law to have a child resistant closure on non-aerosol products like WD-40® .
WD-40 Company makes no medical claims for WD-40® product. We know no reason why WD-40® should be effective for arthritis/pain relief. WD-40® is formulated to be a light lubricant, penetrating oil, and water displacing corrosion preventative. It contains petroleum distillates and should be handled with the same precautions for this type of material. It does not contain DMSO. We have never recommended the use of WD-40® for medical purposes. Originally, WD-40® was created as a rust-prevention product for use in the aerospace industry, to protect the outer skin of the Atlas Missile from rust and corrosion. It is also not recommended because of the possibility of skin irritation in people with marginalized skin (i.e., eczema).
No. However, since many people believe non-aerosols are better for the environment than aerosols, they may describe WD-40® as "green." Rest assured that all WD-40® Multi-Use Product aerosol cans DO NOT contain CFCs, and have not contained them for over 30 years. WD-40® Multi-Use Product's steel cans, whether aerosol or new non-aerosol Trigger Pro®, have always been recyclable where steel is recycled.
Yes, in many areas empty aerosol cans have to be punctured before they can be disposed by a business or factory. WD-40® Trigger Pro® does not need to be punctured. It can simply be recycled or thrown away.
No. It is not different than any of the other items in the WD-40® brand lineup. All WD-40® aerosol products DO NOT contain CFCs, and have not contained them for over 30 years. WD-40® Multi-Use Product's steel cans, whether aerosol or new non-aerosol Trigger Pro®, have always been recyclable where steel is recycled.