WD 40
Contributed By Site Visitor
WD-40 evolved from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. Created in 1953 by three technicians, at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company, it's name comes from a project to find a "water displacement" compound. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40.
The Corvair Company bought it in bulk to protect their Atlas missile parts. Workers were so pleased with the product, they began smuggling it out to use at home. The executives decided there might be a consumer market for it and put it in aerosol cans. The rest, as they say, is history.
A carefully guarded recipe known only to four people, one of whom is the "brew master", some 2.5 million gallons of the stuff is manufactured each year. It's distinctive smell is from a fragrance added to the brew. Its manufacturer says there is nothing in WD-40 that could hurt you.
Here are some of the uses:
- Protects silver from tarnishing
- Cleans and lubricates guitar strings
- Gets oil spots off concrete driveways
- Gives floors a 'just-waxed' sheen without slipperiness
- Keeps flies off cows
- Restores and cleans chalkboards
- Removes lipstick stains
- Loosens stubborn zippers
- Untangles jewelry chains
- Removes stains from stainless steel sinks
- Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill
- Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing
- Removes tomato stains from clothing
- Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots
- Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors
- Keeps scissors working smoothly
- Lubricates noisy door hinges--vehicular & residential
- Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a super fast slide
- Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers
- Rids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises
- Lubricates sticky tracks in windows for easy opening
- Spraying an umbrella's stem makes it easy to operate
- Restores and cleans padded vinyl or leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers
- Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles
- Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans
- Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons and bicycles for easy handling
- Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly
- Keeps rust from forming on saws, blades and tools
- Removes splattered grease on stove
- Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging
- Lubricates prosthetic limbs
- Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell)
- Removes all traces of duct tape
- Relieve arthritis pain--some folks spray it on their arms, hands, knees to that end.
- Attracts fish when sprayed on fishing lures
- WD-40 has been designated the official multipurpose problem-solver of NASCAR--a ringing endorsement if there ever was one. Can WD-40 solve the Jeff Gordon problem?
In celebration of their 50th year, the company conducted a contest to learn the favorite uses of it's customers and fan club members, (Yes, there is a WD-40 Fan Club).
They compiled the information to identify the favorite use in each of the 50 states. In Georgia and Alabama the favored use is to penetrate stuck bolts, lug nuts, and hose ends. Florida uses it to clean and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers. California's favorite use was penetrating the bolts on the Golden Gate Bridge, and in New York WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.
No wonder they've had 50 successful years.