Penetrating spray does it really release? - pullgees

I've never had much luck with WD40 are there any others that work better?

I can't see how the lubricant can get past corrosion then trickle round a thread of a bolt that is tightend hard and therefore creating a seal. Something for Mythbusters perhaps.

Penetrating spray does it really release? - RT

Is WD40 really a "penetrating oil" or just a "water dispersant" - all WD40 tells us is the hype but what's the truth?

I don't know the answer to your question - I haven't bought WD40 for decades.

Penetrating spray does it really release? - jc2

Plus-Gas works better-so does diesel.WD-40 is basically a water-dispersant-hence WD!!!

Penetrating spray does it really release? - craig-pd130

What jc2 said, Plus-Gas is a purpose-made penetrating / releasing fluid which is very, very thin and can 'wick' down stuck threads etc by finding tiny gaps in the corrosion build-up. Diesel does the same.

Wurth does a range of purpose-made releasing fluids but they are very expensive, and much harder to obtain than Plus-Gas.

ACF-50 is very good for freeing stuck, rusty bolts too if allowed to work overnight, it converts the corrosion build-up allowing the nut to be simply undone. It's also an excellent anti-corrosion spray on chrome, etc, it's worked a treat on my old Japanese bike for several years now.

Penetrating spray does it really release? - pullgees

So just ordianary diesel fuel works well. I'll look out for ACF-50. I tried two trade motor spares for Plus Gas, no luck, instead I bought a can of Force. We'll see how well that works

Penetrating spray does it really release? - craig-pd130

ACF-50 is best obtained from eBay, a can looks expensive at around £15 delivered but lasts ages. A single can has seen my bike through 5 winters worth of protecting the chromework (and there's a lot of chrome).

Penetrating spray does it really release? - unthrottled

Pentrating oils are simply oils dissolved in a volatile solvent that allows capillary action to draw the mixture into crevices. The solvent evaporates, (hopefully), leaving some oil in the crevice. I just use the same two-stroke mixture that I use for the chain saw. Cheap and seems to work ok.

Penetrating spray does it really release? - hillman

I read somewhere that the WD stands for "Water Displacement" and the 40 stands for the times that the formula was changed before the desired effect was achieved. I've had quite a bit of success with it in freeing corroded hinges, although it does take time.

I also once had a tin of Penetrating Oil that worked better.

Penetrating spray does it really release? - jamie745

I discovered recently WD-40 and De-Icer are essentially the same stuff.

Penetrating spray does it really release? - bathtub tom

I wouldn't spray WD40 on my windscreen, it contains oil - not a lot, but I hate to think how it would smear.

Penetrating spray does it really release? - jamie745

Ah but I found de-icer worked wonders for loosening the hinge on my gate.

Penetrating spray does it really release? - bathtub tom

Probably squeaks soon after.

Penetrating spray does it really release? - jamie745

Well we wait with anticipation.

Penetrating spray does it really release? - The Gingerous One

My grandad (who had many older cars & bikes) always used to use Plus-Gas for freeing stuck bolts, so I follow his lead and have a can on the shelf.

(Didn't need it for the Volvos' temp sensor this morning though)

Penetrating spray does it really release? - Hamsafar

Another vote for PlusGas, but I do wonder if it's just diesel in a fancy can and fancy price, it sure smells like it!

Edited by Hamsafar on 29/11/2012 at 21:02

Penetrating spray does it really release? - blindspot

get a can of penetrating oil, its much much better than wd40. just dont let fall over. . i rap a large jubilee clip round its base , helps to stabilise it