WD-40®: What You May Not Know

Known as the can with 1,000 uses, WD-40® is a prepping survival tool! If you haven’t started stocking WD-40®, you definitely should have some of it in your prepping arsenal. While there are a variety of ways to use this stuff, we are sticking to the reasons why this miracle can be something preppers should stock! 

What is WD-40®?

It’s a Multi-Purpose Lubricant that reduces friction, displaces moisture, removes grease and grime, and protects metal from rust and corrosion. It’s kind of like this miracle sauce that is effective at doing a lot of different things. Because of this, WD-40® is something you definitely want to have!

Alice, an awesome follower told me about the 3-ounce WD-40® Cans!!!!

A Little History

Did you know that it took 40-attempts to get this water displacing formula to work?! A small lab in San Diego, California, set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers to use in the aerospace industry, and it took them 40 tries to get it right!

On the 40th attempt, this small lab got it right and in a big way! In fact, its name literally stands for Water Displacement, 40th formula hence, WD-40®. It was originally only used commercially. The first to use it was Convair. They used it to protect the outer skin of the Atlas Missile from rust and corrosion. 

WD-40 worked so well for this aerospace contractor that several employees snuck cans of it in their lunchboxes to use at home. A few years later, Rocket Chemical Company founder, Norm Larsen, experimented with putting WD-40® into aerosol cans, and WD-40® was brought to consumers everywhere! 

Prepper Tip: If it moves and shouldn’t use super glue or Duct Tape. If it doesn’t move and should, use WD-40®!

Why You Should Stock WD-40®

WD-40® is applauded for its ability to fix almost anything from the squeakiest doors to the rustiest bike chains. But, you may not know just how many uses this product has! If you haven’t started stocking WD-40®, here’s why you should!

Stock it For Your Car

You may be thinking, well duh, WD-40® is sold at every auto store around the country. But, you may not know all the incredible ways you can use it for your car.

Not only does it help you loosen up the lug nuts when you have to change your tire, but it also improves your car in a variety of other ways. Here are just a few ways you can use it:

• Remove the carbon buildup on spark plugs for a better performance. 
• Loosen up carburetor linkage when it gets stuck. 
• Keep your suspension gaskets from deteriorating. 
• Use it to clean ignition wires. 

Not only is WD-40® great for the mechanical components of your car, but it can also help with visibility. Here’s how:

• It can clean your windshield. Spray a little WD-40® on your windshield to get rid of bug splatter. 
• Reduces snow buildup. If you spray your windshield before the snow falls, it will help clear the snow buildup more easily. 
• Get rid of tree sap. Sap is sticky and almost impossible to get off, but WD-40® will tear through tar and sap on your car’s exterior, including the grills and bumpers. 

You should always keep a can of WD-40® in your glove compartment or toolbox just in case you need it. Note that it shouldn’t be kept where temperatures exceed 120 degrees F, or below freezing.

Stock WD-40® For Your Bike

We all know that WD-40® is great for rusty bike chains, but did you know that it also reduces friction and stops squeaks. This is important especially if you are trying to be quiet in a DISASTER scenario. You can quite literally spray this stuff all over your bike to keep it quiet and working properly. 

• Use it for rusty bike chains.
• Spray it on the pedals to keep them quiet.
• Use WD-40® on your bike frame to keep it from rusting. 

Stock It For Electrical Equipment

Used primarily as a lubricant, WD-40® also displaces moisture. Moisture can wreak havoc on electrical equipment, WD-40® can easily wick it away. You can use it on:

• Generators
• Power panel boxes
• Other electrical connections

To wick away moisture on electrical equipment, ensure the power is turned off and everything is unplugged. Spray it on anything electrical to wick away moisture and preserve your equipment. 

Stock WD-40® For Fishing Equipment

Some fishermen swear there’s fish oil in WD-40®, and that’s because they say it helps them catch more fish! Although that isn’t true, it does work its magic at keeping fish hooks and lures clean. 

When it comes to a DISASTER scenario, fishing may be your only way of getting food. If that’s the case, you will want to make sure to keep your hooks and lures in tip-top condition since you may not be able to buy more. A can of WD-40® works wonders for this. 

Stock it For Prevention and Maintenance

As stated earlier, this stuff is great at removing rust.  Additionally, it can keep things from getting rusty in the first place. Here are a few ways you can use it for maintenance:

• Remove rust from things like screws, nuts, bolts, and plumbing joints. 
• Unfreeze a lock that won’t open. 
• Spray it on all your tools to add a layer of protection and prevent them from rusting. 

Stock WD-40® for the Garden and Outdoor Tools

Let’s face it; your garden tools are essential in making sure you have the food that you need. If A disaster hits, you may not be able to run to Walmart and get a new tool. WD-40® is a great way to keep your garden tools and hand tools in pristine working condition. 

• Spray it on your shovel to help you dig more effectively. Dirt and clay will just slide off. Additionally, it helps keep your shovel from rusting. 
• Use it to clean your pruning shears and garden tools. WD-40 prevents blades of all kinds from rusting and keeps your tools in pristine condition. 
• Clean your axe and saw with it. This may be your primary way of chopping and cutting firewood, so you’ll need to make sure they stay rust free and sharp. 

Stock It For Your Bathroom

WD-40® can even help you in your bathroom. I mean let’s face it, if a DISASTER hits, you won’t be able to buy new stuff. Here’s why you want it for your bathroom:

• It dissolves lime build up from your toilet making it easier to scrub. 
• WD-40® clears the lime on your shower head so you don’t need a new one. 
• It helps to keep the bugs out. Yep, just spray it on your window sill to keep the bugs away. 

Other Uses For WD-40®

Looking for more ways you can use this incredible spray as a prepper? Here are just a few other uses for WD-40®:

• Declogs propane nozzles.
• Removes dirt and grime from wood burning stoves.
• Clear tarnishes on silver.
• Keeps air conditioners running smoothly.
• Cleans candle soot.
• Removes gum, stickers, tape, and other gunky residues.
• Unsticks jammed glasses.
• Untangles knotted jewelry.
• Removes paint rub from another car.
• Cleans carpet stains and clothing stains.
• Keeps wood from splintering.
• Waterproof your shoes.
• Get super glue off your fingers.
• Soften leather baseball gloves.
• Remove scuff marks.

What Should You NOT Use It On?

Although WD-40® can be used for almost anything, there are a few things you shouldn’t use it on. Here are a few things you shouldn’t use WD-40 on:

• Paintball guns– WD-40® will melt the seals in the guns, so you don’t want to use it for that at all. 
• Firearms– Never use it to clean or maintain firearms. WD-40® is hygroscopic which means it can attract moisture to the firearm resulting in rust. 
• Gears– WD-40® isn’t really a lubricant. It can be useful at getting things unstuck, but you should use gear lubricants not WD-40®. 
• Things you want to keep clean– It attracts dust and dirt, so if you want something to stay clean, you probably shouldn’t use WD-40®. 
• Phones, Tablets, iPads etc– Don’t use it on your computers. If it gets inside the electronics, it can damage the plastic parts inside. 

How to Store WD-40®

A can of this magical stuff has a shelf life of 5-years, but will often dispense and perform for much longer if stored properly. You want to store your WD-40® in a cool, well-ventilated area away from combustible materials.

It’s suggested to not store them in the garage due to the gas and other possible combustibles. Consider a shed if protected from fuels and if kept below extreme heat. You don’t want it to be in direct sunlight or reach temperatures above 120℉ or below freezing. 

More Prepping Guides

Looking for more information on prepping?! Check out some of my other popular posts to help you along the way!

• Duct Tape: Why You Need to Store It
• 13 Survival Uses for Paracord
• Uncommon First Aid Items We Should All Have
• Top 50 Items You Need to Have To Barter

Final Word

If you are already stocking Duct Tape, you want to stock WD-40® as well! It’s a survival tool that you will cherish when you need it. Spray it to stop squeaks, remove residue, loosen rusted parts, free up sticky mechanisms, and wick away moisture.

Please stay safe and stay well. May God Bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: WD-40 AdobeStock_311967300_Editorial_Use_Only by ThamKC