Which is best, oil or WD40?

chunkytfg

daveyjp wrote: »

Chain saw Cutting blade oil. Thicker than bike chain oil, but not as thick as grease.

Most chain oils, Cycle chain oil included, tend to contain a percentage of some form of solvent to thin them out and enable them to penetrate better. over time the solvent will evaporate off leaving nothing but the lube.

I would guess Chain saw oil is really thick due to the 'fling' of the chain speed and ore than likely contains even less solvent.

coffeehound

I don't see how spray grease is meant to reach the faying/contacting surfaces in things like car door hinges; surely it's too thick to move around the 'labyrynth' to reach where it's needed. (That's why there were grease nipples in the past.) I suspect the dealerships like it since it's visible and shows they've done something.

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sevenhills

AdrianC wrote: »

WD40 is a water-disperser - there's a clue in the name. It's not a penetrating oil. If you want a penetrating oil, use Plusgas or similar.

On door hinges, and probably on your taillift, you'd be better with spray grease.

I asked the person carrying out the 6 months safety check, he just said it was something similar to WD40. It would need to be a spray to get the parts that are difficult to reach.

Jackmydad

I'd use the PTFE based spray lubricant that I used for my bike chain. Works a treat on most stuff like UPVC window hinges and catches, and doesn't leave a sticky mess. Seems to last a reasonable time. Works well on bike chains too!

What's been said about WD40 is right. It's great stuff, and can do all sorts if you have nothing better to hand, but there are much better penetrating oils, and it's not really a lubricant.

Hermione_Granger

sevenhills wrote: »

Can you reply to the issue, rather than being personal?

That's not his style.