FAQ’S

WD-40 Specialist® Bike Dry Lube has been specifically formulated to be used in dry and dusty weather conditions.

WD-40® Multi-Use Product is not a contact cleaner and will leave a protective lubricating layer on the application surface. In some cases, this is desired and WD-40 Company would recommend treating metal contacts with WD-40 Multi-Use Product after they have been cleaned. WD-40 Multi-Use Product can also be used to displace any moisture on electrical contacts and PCB's. Why not try our WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner which is designed to clean metal electrical contacts.  

WD-40® Multi-Use Product is not a degreaser - it is a lubricant, water-displacer, and removes and prevents rust and corrosion.

WD-40® Multi-Use Product is not designed to be used as a general cleaner and is not recommended for cleaning headlights.

While it may remove some light residues, it leaves an oily film and does not provide a suitable or lasting cleaning result, particularly on surfaces where clear visibility is important.

For best results, we recommend using a product specifically designed for cleaning or restoring headlight lenses. Always follow the instructions on the product label during use.

Use WD-40 Specialist® White Lithium Grease for heavy-duty lubrication where a thicker, longer-lasting film is needed, particularly on metal-to-metal components. It is well suited to applications such as hinges, tracks, bearings, latches and mechanisms operating under load.

The formulation provides a protective coating that helps reduce friction and offers corrosion protection, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

Apply directly to the required area and use sparingly to avoid excess build-up. For best results, ensure the surface is clean before application. Always follow the instructions on the product label during use.

WD-40® Multi-Use Product can help loosen and remove light surface rust by penetrating between the metal and the corrosion. It is particularly effective when used alongside mechanical action, such as brushing. To use, apply the product to the affected area and allow it to penetrate for a few minutes. Use a wire brush or abrasive pad to remove the loosened rust, and wipe away any residue. Repeat if necessary.

Once the surface is clean, a light reapplication can help protect against moisture and future corrosion.

For heavier or more established rust, a dedicated rust removal product may be more suitable. Always follow the instructions on the product label during use.

Yes, WD-40® Multi-Use Product can provide light lubrication to help reduce friction and free up moving parts.

While the “WD” stands for Water Displacement, the formulation also includes lubricating components, along with ingredients that help protect against corrosion and loosen stuck parts.

For applications requiring longer-lasting or heavy-duty lubrication, a more specialised lubricant may be more suitable. Always follow the instructions on the product label during use.

WD-40® Multi-Use Product aerosol is classified as an extremely flammable aerosol according to Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 (CLP). Please refer to the WD-40 Multi-Use Product aerosol warning text label or Safety Data Sheet on precautions for safe handling and use.

WD-40® Multi-Use Product should not be applied to braking surfaces or any components where friction is required, as this may impair braking performance.

It may be used in limited situations to help loosen seized brake components during maintenance or to provide light corrosion protection on metal parts during storage, but care should be taken to avoid contact with pads, discs, drums or other friction materials.

If used during maintenance, ensure all brake components are thoroughly cleaned before returning the system to service.

Always follow the instructions on the product label during use.

Use a degreaser when you need to remove oil, grease, dirt or other contaminants from a surface, particularly before maintenance, lubrication, or painting. It is commonly used on metal parts, tools, engines and machinery to help restore clean working surfaces.

For best results, apply the product to the surface, allow it to break down the contamination, and wipe or rinse away the residue as appropriate. Heavily soiled areas may require a repeat application.

Always test on a small, inconspicuous area first when using on sensitive or coated surfaces. Avoid use where runoff could contact materials that may be affected. Always follow the instructions on the product label during use.

The duration of effectiveness for WD-40® Multi-Use Product will vary depending on the surface and environmental conditions. While the product continues to provide protection after it appears to dry, the length of time this lasts can differ significantly by application.

Under typical conditions on metal surfaces, indicative protection periods may include:

• Indoor or covered environments: up to 1 year or more

• Protected outdoor environments: several weeks up to 1 year

• Exposed outdoor environments: approximately 30–60 days

• Harsh conditions (e.g. high humidity, salt exposure): shorter durations, often requiring more frequent reapplication

For best results, inspect treated surfaces periodically and reapply as needed, particularly in demanding environments. Always follow the instructions on the product label during use.

WD-40 Specialist® Degreaser can be used to clean and degrease bare metal surfaces prior to painting. It is designed to remove oil, grease and contaminants without leaving a residue when used as directed.

For best results, ensure the surface is thoroughly clean and fully dry before applying any paint and always follow the instructions on the product label during use, and test on a small area if you are working with sensitive or treated surfaces.

WD-40 Company products are not intended for direct contact with food.

However, certain products in the WD-40 Specialist® range are suitable for use in food processing environments where there is no direct food contact. These products are NSF registered and can be identified by the NSF mark on the packaging.

You can also verify NSF registrations via the official NSF website by searching for “WD-40 Company Limited” and viewing the relevant certificates.

When using any product in these environments, ensure it is applied only as directed, avoid contact with food or food preparation surfaces, and always follow the instructions on the product label. 

In some cases, a small amount of product may remain in an aerosol can if it cannot be fully drawn up through the dip tube during use. This can happen across the aerosol industry and is usually related to can position while spraying.

If you are having difficulty dispensing the remaining product, try the following:

• Shake the can well before and during use.

• Hold the can upright and spray vertically where possible.

• Rotate the can slowly in ¼ turns while spraying to help reposition the dip tube within the liquid and improve flow.

• Ensure the spray nozzle is aligned correctly (e.g. with any indicator mark on the can).

If the product still does not dispense as expected, please contact our Customer Services team for further assistance.

Always follow the instructions on the product label during use

WD-40® Multi-Use Product is a good option for helping to free stuck hinges, displace moisture and provide light lubrication on moving parts such as locks, catches and window mechanisms.

For longer-lasting lubrication, you may wish to use a more specialised product depending on the application:

• For light-duty parts such as hinges, rails and locks, WD-40 Specialist® Silicone or Dry Lube can help reduce sticking and wear.

• For heavier-duty components such as tracks or mechanisms under load, WD-40 Specialist® White Lithium Grease can provide more durable lubrication.

Before applying any product, it’s best to clean away dirt and old residue where possible. Apply sparingly and wipe away any excess to avoid contact with surrounding surfaces.

If using near painted or coated finishes, test on a small inconspicuous area first. Always follow the instructions on the product label during use. We also advise you to contact the manufacturer of the door or windows to ensure using products on them doesn't affect your warranty!

No, WD-40® Multi-Use Product is non-conductive and has a dielectric strength of 38 000V per 2.5mm which basically means that you would require more than 38 000V per 2.5mm of space between two metal contacts for electrical breakdown/conductance to occur. However, we don't advise you to use our Multi-Use-Product on an energised circuit. Our aerosol can and flexible straw are metal (conduct electricity) and could brush up against a contact. We always recommend disconnecting power, spraying, allowing sufficient ventilation and then reconnecting power.

WD-40® Multi-Use Product has been tested on many types of paint on various surfaces with no effect. Although WD-40 Multi-Use Product can be used on a variety of surfaces we recommend testing in an inconspicuous area before larger application. Wax polishes and certain wax coatings may be softened by WD-40 Multi-Use Product.

WD-40® Multi-Use Product has been tested on various surfaces and materials with successful results. Although WD-40 Multi-Use Product can be used on a variety of surfaces we recommend testing in an inconspicuous area before larger application. Certain types of rubber will swell upon prolonged immersion in WD-40 Multi-Use Product.

WD-40® Multi-Use Product has been tested on various surfaces and materials with successful results. Although WD-40 Multi-Use Product can be used on a variety of surfaces we recommend testing in an inconspicuous area before larger application. The following plastics were immersed in WD-40 Multi-Use Product for 168 hours with no visible effects: • Polyethylene • Formica • Epoxy • Delrin • Polypropylene • Acrylic • VinylTeflon • Polyester • Nylon Clear polycarbonate and polystyrene may stress craze or crack in contact with the product. Please see the material compatibility section in our TDS for WD-40 Multi-Use Product which is available on our website.

WD-40® Multi-Use-Product was first used to protect the outer skin of the Atlas Missile from rust and corrosion.

Use WD-40 Specialist® Contact Cleaner Spray when you need to clean the metal electrical contact points in sensitive electronics and electrical equipment, including larger electric motors, armatures, relays, electric panels, and generators. It is safe to use on most plastics, rubber and metal when used as directed - cleans oil, dirt, flux residue and condensation without leaving residue behind. When using, keep the following advice in mind: To prevent any accidental damage always check the manufacturer’s instructions before applying product to device. Do not spray into cavities, openings, gaps or areas of your device where this product does not have sufficient airflow to assist full evaporation. Shake can well and isolate all power, allowing hot surfaces to cool. Tilt surface while cleaning to allow any excess liquid to run off and ensure product is completely dry before restoring power.

Use WD-40 Specialist® Penetrant Spray to quickly loosen and remove seized, corroded, bound, and rusted nuts, bolts, clips, locks, etc.

WD-40 Specialist® Bike is a high-performance line of bicycle care products developed via collaboration between WD-40 Company scientists, professional bike mechanics and independent bicycle retailers. The WD-40 Specialist Bike line was designed for maintenance-minded cycling enthusiasts.

For our classic cans, we provide grooves on the top of the cap where you can safely clip and store the straw when not in use. Better still, we also have the Smart Straw®, which features a high-impact-resistant nozzle, a 360-degree valve system, and a 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 Smart Straw gives consumers a better way to spray! You will never lose the straw again!

Although the exact components of WD-40® Multi-Use Product are not disclosed, WD-40 Multi-Use Product does not contain silicone, kerosene, water, graphite, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), or indeed fish oil as is commonly misreported. By providing a list of substances that are not present in its formulation, WD-40 Company assures consumers that it prioritises safety, effectiveness, and environmental consciousness. This transparency allows individuals to make informed decisions when selecting a versatile and reliable product for various applications.

In any situation where the drill bit or cutting blade heats up, our cutting oil will be beneficial. As these drill bits and cutting blades are usually tempered, heating them through a drilling or cutting action tends to reverse this tempering and shorten the life of the drill bit or cutting blade. Our Cutting oil will help control the heat accumulation and minimise frictional forces. Lubrication is also a large part of why you would use a cutting oil. Our cutting oil is made for metals and using our product on wood may leave oil marks, which is okay if you plan to treat the wood with oil afterwards. Some harder woods don’t show oil marks and the oil can be wiped off after cutting or drilling with little effect. We don't advise spraying the wood directly as this may cause the wood to absord the liquid and swell. Our advice would be to test on a scrap piece of wood first to assess if you are satisfied with the outcome!

With the WD-40 Specialist® Bike Degreaser it is really up to how dirty the components are. The formula itself is fast evaporating and leaves no visible residue. So if it's not too dirty then just spray liberally and use a cloth to collect the dirty liquid, there is no need to use water. If the chain is severely dirty and greasy then it is a very good idea to rinse with water to help ensure that all of the dirty liquid is removed. In some cases you may need to reapply the degreaser to remove all of the previous dirt and greasy grime. Always remember that the WD-40 Specialist Bike Degreaser leaves no residue and therefore is not a corrosion inhibitor. To protect the chain, relubricate with a chain lube or apply a corrosion inhibitor like WD-40® Multi-Use-Product for storage.

Our Multi-Use-Product is designed to displace moisture and has a dielectric strength of 38 000V per 2.5mm which basically means that you would require more than 38 000V per 2.5mm of space between two metal contacts for electrical breakdown/conductance to occur. However, we don't advise you to use our Multi-Use-Product on an energised circuit. Our aerosol can and flexible straw are metal (conduct electricity) and could brush up against a contact. We always recommend disconnecting power, spraying, allowing sufficient ventilation and then reconnecting power.

WD-40 Specialist® Degreaser is an industrial degreaser that is for use on bare metals only, and should not be used on painted or coated surfaces, plastic, or rubber.

You can use WD-40® Multi-Use Product to release stuck door hinges. Our original product is great for lubrication and to keep moving parts moving! However, if you are spraying near a painted surface, be mindful that WD-40 Multi-Use Product may cause stains. We also advise you to contact the manufacturer of the door or windows to ensure using products on them doesn't effect your warranty!

You can use WD-40® Multi-Use Product to release stuck window hinges and runners. Our original product is great for lubrication and to keep moving parts moving! However, if you are spraying near a painted surface, be mindful that WD-40 Multi-Use Product may cause stains. We also advise you to contact the manufacturer of the door or windows to ensure using products on them doesn't effect your warranty!

We would recommend that you use WD-40® Multi-Use Product on PVC or UPVC doors and windows. However, if the surface is painted we recommend that you patch test on an inconspicuous area first. We also advise you to contact the manufacturer of the door or windows to ensure using products on them doesn't affect your warranty! Another product that would be suitable is WD-40 Specialist® Silicone as it's safe for use on rubber and plastics.

We would recommend that you use WD-40® Multi-Use Product on aluminium doors and windows. However, if the surface is painted we recommend that you patch test on an inconspicuous area first. We also advise you to contact the manufacturer of the door or windows to ensure using products on them doesn't affect your warranty!

Norman Larsen and The Rocket Chemical Company

WD-40® Multi-Use-Product was first made in 1953.

WD-40 Specialist® is a line of specialized products designed to meet the unique needs of professionals and DIY enthusiasts. These products are formulated with advanced technology to provide enhanced performance in a variety of applications. Whether it's lubricating tools and machinery, protecting against rust and corrosion, or loosening stuck or frozen parts, WD-40 Specialist has a solution for every job. With a wide range of products including lubricants, degreasers, and penetrants, WD-40 Specialist is the go-to brand for those who expect nothing but the best.

WD-40® Multi-Use Product is available almost everywhere. It can be found in many countries in automotive, convenience, discount, drug, grocery, hardware, and home center stores. It's also available from leading distributors all over the world.

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.