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Look out WINDEX, here comes WD-40!

The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and de-greaser to protect missile parts. WD40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company (By the way, the entire company was in fact the "three technicians.")
It's name comes from a project that was to find a "water displacement" compound. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD40.
The Convair Corporation bought it in bulk to protect their Atlas missile parts.
The workers were so pleased with the product, they began smuggling (also known as "shrinkage" or "stealing") it out to use at home. The company that made the product decided there might be a consumer market for it and put it in aerosol cans. The rest, as they say, is history. It is a carefully guarded recipe known only to four people.
Only one of them is the "brew master." There are about 2.5 million gallons of the stuff manufactured each year. It gets it's distinctive smell from a fragrance that is added to the brew.
The makers say there is nothing in WD40 that would hurt you.
Here are some of the uses:
Protects silver from tarnishing;
Cleans and lubricates guitar strings;
Gets oil spots off concrete driveways;
Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making it slippery;
Keeps flies off cows;
Restores and cleans chalkboards;
Removes lipstick stains;
Loosens stubborn zippers;
Untangles jewelry chains;
Removes stains from stainless steel sinks;
Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill;
Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing;
Removes tomato stains from clothing;
Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots;
Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors;
Keeps scissors working smoothly;
Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes;
Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a super fast slide; Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers;
Rids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises;
Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open;
Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close;
Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers;
Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles;
Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans;
Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons and bicycles for easy handling;
Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly;
Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades and other tools; Removes splattered grease on stove;
Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging;
Lubricates prosthetic limbs;
Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell);
Removes all traces of duct tape;
It is rumored that folks spray it on their arms, hands, knees, etc., to relieve arthritis pain;
One fellow claims spraying it on fishing lures attracts fish;
WD40 has been designated the "official multi-purpose problem-solver of NASCAR,"
In celebration of their 50th year, the company conducted a contest to learn the favorite uses of it's customers and fan club members, (Yes, there is a WD40 Fan Club). They compiled the information to identify the favorite use in each of the 50 states. Naturally I was curious about Georgia and Alabama and found the favorite use in both states was that it "penetrates stuck bolts, lug nuts, and hose ends." Florida's favorite use was "cleans and removes lovebugs from grills and bumpers." California's favorite use was penetrating the bolts on the Golden Gate Bridge. Let me close with one final, wonderful use--the favorite use in the state of New York - WD40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements. No wonder they have had 50 successful years.
 
I'm a little elary of the rocking chair and leather dash deal. It believe it can discolor woods and plastics. And God knows I wouldnt use it on my leather!!

Otherwise, the stuff is great!! You only need 2 things in a good tool set. WD40 and duct tape. If its moving and it shouldnt, duct tape. If it isnt moving and should, WD40.
😀
 
Originally posted by: Specop 007
I'm a little elary of the rocking chair and leather dash deal. It believe it can discolor woods and plastics. And God knows I wouldnt use it on my leather!!

Otherwise, the stuff is great!! You only need 2 things in a good tool set. WD40 and duct tape. If its moving and it shouldnt, duct tape. If it isnt moving and should, WD40.
😀

I see you've seen this list before. 😉
 
Originally posted by: Brutuskend
Originally posted by: Specop 007
I'm a little elary of the rocking chair and leather dash deal. It believe it can discolor woods and plastics. And God knows I wouldnt use it on my leather!!

Otherwise, the stuff is great!! You only need 2 things in a good tool set. WD40 and duct tape. If its moving and it shouldnt, duct tape. If it isnt moving and should, WD40.
😀

I see you've seen this list before. 😉

:beer:
 
Hmm. Do you think I could use it to clean off some charred gunk on a pan (accidentally burned something)? ie, Will I be able to soap off the WD-40 so I can cook in it?
 
Originally posted by: Specop 007
I'm a little elary of the rocking chair and leather dash deal. It believe it can discolor woods and plastics. And God knows I wouldnt use it on my leather!!

Otherwise, the stuff is great!! You only need 2 things in a good tool set. WD40 and duct tape. If its moving and it shouldnt, duct tape. If it isnt moving and should, WD40.
😀

makes leather look shiny; will not harm it. look at the data sheet howard linked to; it contains petroleum distillates and hydrocarbon fluid....which can't be dangerously dissimilar to the aliphatic hydrocarbon drycleaning solvent i use at work to *clean* leather(and other clothes), and "petroleum base oils" ....it just so happens that oil can give leather a nice deep sheen, along with plastics.

spray some wd40 on your car tires and wipe it around with a rag, they'll be shiny-fied. it'll do that with vinyl and leather just as well as rubber and plastic.
 
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