will wd40 harm car paint

There are several shade-tree solutions to common, everyday bug. One of the nearly popular is using penetrating oil or WD-40 to loosen rusty bolts, extend the lifespan of windshield wiper blades, or even a universal cleaning solution. But did yous know that many car owners swear by its ability to fix small scratches, or reduce bugs from sticking to car paint?

People utilize WD-40 or other generic penetrating fluids for multiple reasons. But is it safe to use on your car'southward pigment job? Are there risks to applying it to a clearcoat, glass, or other exterior automotive materials?

These are questions we'll answer in today's AvalonKing blog.

What is WD-40?

In case you've been in a coma or just not besides mechanically inclined, WD-40 is a penetrating fluid lubricating oil that was created in the 1950's. Information technology's pretty much the go-to solution for loosening things that are stuck or providing lubrication to something that needs some grease.

Here is a cool bit of trivia. It's first awarding was used as a spray coating on a missile built past Convair to reduce rusting and corrosion.

You lot'll find WD-40 in the garage or under the kitchen sink in more than 60% of households in the U.s.. Then, to say it's a pop product would be an underestimate. Around the house, it'due south used mainly to loosen metallic parts that take been corroded or are stuck with backlog oxidation (or rust).

In the garage, yous'll find many mechanics and machinists using information technology as a lubrication spray, equally they cut metal. The special ingredients assist to dispel heat, making the cuts cleaner and with fewer jagged edges.

What is WD-twoscore Fabricated From?

So, where did the name WD-40 come from? The WD is an abbreviation for Water Displacement, or the primary job information technology accomplished. The formulation helps to displace wet from surfaces – so the WD makes sense. As for the 40, that'south the amount of formulations or attempts to create a final solution that worked as intended.

Now, let'southward dive into the formulation – or what makes WD-xl the perfect all-in-i removal solution. Unfortunately, the official recipe is a highly-guarded secret on par with Coke or KFC'south "11" herbs and spices. Yet, thanks to Material Data Safety Sheets published on the net, it'due south not that difficult to come close.

There are four primary ingredients – with the percentages being the proprietary information.

Aliphatic Hydrocarbon (which is similar to kerosene)
A petroleum-based paraffin
Flammable aliphatic hydrocarbons
Carbon Dioxide

There are trace elements including mineral oils and alkanes of carbon. When you lot combine all these ingredients in the percentages that WD-40 has perfected, you go a highly-impressive anti-squeak lubricant spray.

Why Would you Want to Use WD-40 on Car Pigment?

Now nosotros'll dive into the nitty gritty of this commodity – why it's commonly used on car paint – and whether that's a proficient idea. Let's kickoff with the why. WD-40 is similar with many motorcar polishes, in the fact that is contains oils and hydrocarbons that allows the conception to seep into small areas. Information technology likewise has anti-corrosive agents that can reduce the potential of oxidation.

This introduces the chief purpose for using information technology on your car paint – to fill deep scratches. Now, let's be clear, this doesn't hateful fixing the scratch. It's basically a quick style of putting a band-aid on the scratch, to ensure that water does not find its manner into the bare metal – leading to the development of rust.

However, car owners are creative cats, and over the yr, WD-twoscore has been used on a cars surface for several other purposes.

Equally a Color Enhancer

There are some car owners who use WD-twoscore as a wax – which amplifies the luster of pigment. When information technology'south sprayed on meridian of paint with a articulate coat, the paraffins in the solution produce a shiny hue – which can replicate the shine you become from a fresh coat of wax.

Improve Hydrophobic Properties

It'south as well a common shade-tree treatment for improving hydrophobic properties on not-protected paint surfaces. Car owners will spray it on the surface to help reduce the potential of bugs, bird droppings, tar, and tree sap from sticking to paint. It also tin can bead h2o fairly-decent besides.

Removing Oil & Bug Guts

Issues splatters and other glutinous debris is easy to remove with WD-xl. A unproblematic spray, letting information technology soak for a few minutes, and then wiping off will take care of most stuck on droppings.

Likewise, that annoying valve cover or seal leak under the hood is pissing you off, a few sprays of WD-40 will clean up that splattered oil chop-chop. Since it'south a degreaser, WD-40 is great for removing those pesky water-insoluble substance including grease.

Extend the Lifespan of Wipers and Gaskets

The principal reason that door trim gaskets and windshield wipers wear out is frequent exposure to the elements – like UV rays or oxygen. As they age, the gasket fabric volition brainstorm to dry, eventually crack, and and then begin to fail. Some people utilise WD-40 to keep these items protected from the elements by spraying some on a cloth, then wiping onto the rubber materials.

Dandy for Spark Plug Maintenance

If you're a DIYer, and complete your own maintenance, y'all've likely used WD-40 as a helpful tool when cleaning spark plugs. As plugs age, it'due south common for condensation to collect on the spark plug, which leads to poor spark performance. If you're having condensation bug with an older engine with weak internal seals, a quick spray of WD can help your starting bug.

The Universal Cleaning Tool

Annoying rust on your license plate frame, corrosion on steering and suspension parts, or caked on debris under the hood is hands removed with WD-40. In fact, there are several car owners who employ this product and duct tape for vehicle maintenance.

Is WD-xl Safety to Utilize on Paint?

WD-xl is filled with a lot of products when practical to car paint alone – can be harmful to paint. For example, kerosene (which is similar to the primary ingredient) tin can consume through even the hardest clear glaze in a affair of days.

However, due to the brilliant mixture and blend of ingredients – Yes – it's SAFE to employ on paint. Simply, as nosotros'll describe in the information beneath, it's just not a smart idea.

When You Shouldn't Use WD-40

I'yard going to preface this paragraph by saying that I was raised to fix things broken, not put super gum or a band-assist on them. That said, WD-40 should only be used equally a penetrating fluid to aid you loosen rusted, corroded, or fused bolts, nuts, and other fasteners.

Information technology's typically assumed that using information technology for bike chains, on door jams, and other moving parts is more than than adequate. And as a one-time quick fix, that is accurate. However, here is the downfall of WD-40, and a chief reason why using information technology on car paint is too not a smart thought.

The oils found WD-40 are notorious for collecting dirt, dust, debris, and other contaminants. This makes the items yous're spraying WD-40 sticky, dirty, and in the example of a moving part – like hinges or chains, may cause them to bind-upward.

With machine paint, that scratch that is exposed might exist protected for a day or 2. Merely past and so, the area will be so dirty, you'll have to launder it off. When this happens, you lot'll detect removing a nearly impossible chore.

What Soap to Use to Launder WD-40 Off Your Vehicle

If y'all're in the inevitable situation of having to launder WD-twoscore off your pigment, in that location actually is just 1 good method. You'll desire to apply an automotive detergent car shampoo – which is commonly known as a wax-stripping or prep shampoo.

The decontamination auto shampoo is a pH strong conception, meaning is a potent base – which acts as a detergent to penetrate oils that are found in waxes, sealants, and yes – WD-40.

When you use a foam gun to apply onto the paint surface first, information technology can sit on the motorcar and agitate for a few minutes. This activity helps to intermission down the lubricants in WD-40, and the caked-on clay and grime stuck to it.

Wrapping it Up

WD-xl is i of those phenomenon solutions like Velcro and duct tape that simply makes life much easier. However, it's got an intended utilize and purpose. Past using information technology equally a scratch repair, for improved hydrophobic backdrop, or to fix that fouled spark plug, you lot risk creating more problems downward the line.

If y'all're in a state of affairs where you've developed a scratch, accept condensation in your combustion chamber, or looking to protect your paint, it's always smarter to observe the root issue, and fix information technology. While WD-40 and duct tape can save you're barrel from a troubling situation, it's just not a smart long-term solution.

Source: https://avalonking.com/blogs/guides/will-wd-40-damage-your-car-paint