WD40 - What is in it

The formulation changed over the years, WD-40 of today(last 10-15years?) is not the WD-40 of 30yrs ago that's for sure.
Pretty sure its a mix of wax resin and kerosene or something real close to it now. Sweet smell and won't burn. The old stuff did back when you could use a WD-40 can as a mini flame thrower.
If you put some in a cup it dries to a white waxy goop.
I only use it when cutting aluminium, about all its good for.
 
SND said:
The formulation changed over the years, WD-40 of today(last 10-15years?) is not the WD-40 of 30yrs ago that's for sure.
Pretty sure its a mix of wax resin and kerosene or something real close to it now. Sweet smell and won't burn. The old stuff did back when you could use a WD-40 can as a mini flame thrower.
If you put some in a cup it dries to a white waxy goop.
I only use it when cutting aluminium, about all its good for.
Click to expand...

Now THIS meshes with my experience and suspicions.
I don't agree with the only use part. I do use it on the lathe when cutting aluminum, but it has so many other uses. It's useful for everything from drying out electrical systems to light duty penetrating jobs to drying out the bore on the smoke pole after cleaning with water and before oiling. Nothing I have tried works as well as WD40 on a sharpening stone or diamond hone. Need to remove a little surface rust? Dip some fine steel wool in a little WD40 and have at it. Having trouble getting that d**n label off? WD40 to the rescue!
Yes, I do use a fair amount of the stuff - but I would never rely on it as a preservative for firearms.
 
Little trivia fact about it ... originally developed for a NASA requirement to displace moisture ( hence the WD = water displacing ) the organization rejected the first 39 submittions . They did however accept the 40th . WD40 .
 
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