Steve Barker wrote the following:
On 7/14/2011 8:21 PM, Phil Anderson wrote:
Haven't posted for awhile, but I still read the group at least once a
week.

Ya know how when you were but a babe, maybe 20, maybe a teenager, and
you discovered the wonders of WD-40? When you sprayed it here and there,
it made everything work easier, quieter? I was like that. Then I
discovered Usenet and this group in particular. I read how the magical
fluid in the blue can was not a lubricant. That anything it did would
not last. That it could cause more problems then it solved. So, I
believed it all and began using other recommended sprays and lubricants.
And that is the way it has been for me for years. Oh, I still used WD-40
for certain things, mostly when one of my cast iron tools would get some
surface rust on it. I would spray it on, let it set a bit and then scrub
with a Scotch pad. That always worked and worked well. Other than that,
haven't really used it for years.

A while back, I had a sticking file cabinet lock at work. It just kept
getting harder and harder to turn the key each day, but I put up with
it. One day I thought I was going to break the key off. All we had in
the office was a can of WD-40. From what I had learned, that was exactly
the wrong thing to use. I needed some graphite! But, we didn't have any.
I was frustrated and really didn't care. I took the blue can, aimed the
tube into the lock and sprayed, just a little. I know how this stuff
runs. I slipped in my key and voila! It turned like buttah. That was
about 2 years ago. The lock still works great.

The other day, one of our screen door locks just wouldn't turn. It's a
deadbolt on a little used door. It has a knob on the inside to turn it
but it just wouldn't budge. I thought, "this isn't good, what if there's
a fire?" There was a slight gap when I pushed on the door, just enough
to get that little spray tube into, but it wasn't going to reach any
part of the workings of the lock. I tried to take the lock apart,
removing the screws and as much of the cylinder as I could, but that
door wasn't going to open. I reassembled everything in frustration. Then
I sprayed just a little WD-40 on the only part I could reach, the bolt
itself through the crack in the door. I turned the knob again, and
again, voila! It turned like buttah. I immediately went around to the
other two screen doors and did the same and while I was there, I sprayed
what I could reach and the key hole on all the locks. Everything has
quieted down and turns easily. That was a couple weeks ago and I'm still
amazed at how easily and quietly everything is working.

Now, back at work. We have a 60 cup coffee pot that plugs into a timer.
I'm the coffee guy, mostly for self-preservation. At the end of the day,
I unplug the cord from the timer so I can get enough room to wash up the
pot for the next day. It has become increasingly difficult to remove the
plug from the timer. I had to pull realllly hard to get it out. This has
been going on for about three years. Today, I took a paper towel and
sprayed a little WD-40 on it and wiped the blades of the plug. Slipped
it in the outlet of the timer and, well, you get the idea. Like
buttah.......

Recently purchased a couple Honda scooters, used. The lock to lift up
the seat for the helmet holder was hard to turn on both of them. Pssst,
psst, they work like new. The cargo door locks on my motorhome were
difficult to turn. A little in the key hole and a little on the inside
latch, good to go!

So, don't believe everything you hear or read. Yes, there are places
where some other lubricant is more appropriate, but WD-40 has earned a
spot right up front on my lubricant shelf, once again. Try it, you might
like it, just like you used to.



Well, since it is basically kerosene, you've discovered what the old
timers in the 1800's knew. Kerosene can be used for a myriad of
things. Including wasp stings.

It's main ingredients are mineral spirits and mineral oil.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
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