Last weekend (Friday night after dark to be exact), two other forum members and I were underneath the decklid, trying to locate a vacuum leak by spraying WD-40 on certain areas of the engine.

The next morning, when I returned to the scene to check the oil, I couldn't believe my eyes! The WD-40 (where sprayed) left the engine components glistening! Anything with WD-40 on it looked new ... and they've stayed that way for five days now!

Now, I know WD-40 is flammable. It says so on the can. But, the heat generated in that engine compartment doesn't appear to be affecting it.

Has anyone else done this? Does anyone have recommendations for or against doing this? I've heard that WD-40 is a good barrier against water. It seems to me (especially after reading theogre's post on the DIS brick) that this might be desirable.

Looking for opinions ...

TIA

You can use it on the engine and around the engine compartment. We use it all the time on jet skis. The squeak fixer with silicon is supposed to be better for a water barrier. Only bad thing is if you go down a dusty road.

its also great for your vinyl interior. many detail shops will clean dash's with something akin to 409 and then wipe them down with wd-40. this puts the oils back into the plastics, whereas armorall can actually remove oils from plastics!

If after working on a particularly greasy job and there is no gasoline readily available, I spray my hands with wd-40. I use it as a parts degreaser quite often too. Never thought about using it on the engine and components.

bHooper - glad you mentioned interior applications.

Will WD-40 damage any of the interior parts that have been repainted with aftermarket interior paint?

That spray-on and walk away tire foam has possibilities also.

F56, Please don't use gas to clean your hands. There are things in there that are known carcynogens and other wise not good for you. (It was more obviuos with leaded fuel. It's still a problem.)

Has anyone tried using WD-40 on their tires?

I like the way WD40 cleans up spark plug wires,fortifies the silicone also.

87ECO5... i cannot speak for painted interior parts, only original equipment

ezsurf... yes, it works fine for tires, too. in the "old days" people used to actually put motor oil on their tires to shine them up!

fiero56... it goes without saying, ogre is right. do not use gasoline to clean up yourself! wd40 may not even be such a good idea... handcleaner is cheap, bad health is not!

Hooper,
Is there a problem with WD-40 cracking tire rubber like Armor All?

If memory serves me, it was brake fluid on tires rather than motor oil, the oiled sidewalls might be a bit slippery. Also, get a fire extinguisher if you're into the WD40 on the engine routine.

Its not like I'm in the stuff every day. Maybe twice a year. I get more on me changing fuel filters on the cars a year than washing my hands. I hear where your coming from though.

I don't use Armor ALL anymore after hearing the end result, but I sure wouldn't want to use WD-40 either....IT SMELLS BAD! Couldn't imagine the whole inside of my car smelling like this stuff! Especially on a hot day

I seem to recall someone suggesting 'Son of a Gun' (or something like that). They said to coat the entire engine bay and let it sit overnight.

Anyone else remember that?

ezsurf... i do not know if it cracks tire rubber. i have only had one set of rubber crack, the set on my car now is four years old an the car hasnt been used at all.

I use "Formula 2001" in the florecent green bottle for interior and engine/trunk/hood areas. It doesn't dry out parts like armor-all and has a leather like aroma. I use it on all my cars. (It's also not flammable )

I also use formula 2001. It gives the best shine of anything I've used. It lasts longer too!

ARMOR-ALL and that kinda stuff will fry your 02 if the gases from it get in the intake!

I used wd40 all the time to clean my racing go-kart,wouldn't use anything else.If you spray wd40 directly on hot manifolds,it may flash,but not generally. Spraying on a cold engine, if some gets on the exhaust manifolds,it will evaporate while the engine is warming-up.So never fear.Best scenario is to clean with wd40 and then use a cleaner and hose off.As for tires,interior,and plastic and vinyl use some Black Magic silicon protectant available at Autozone.Also works great on engine compartment plastic and plug wires. Be sure not to get any on the brake rotors.

Dan, I also used WD-40 with the racing karts, but as a fuel instead of a cleaner. After running the engine all night on methanol, we'd pour a little WD in the tank and run the engine to keep corosion down. Worked pretty good too.

If any of you all are familiar with the movie Dusk till Dawn, My buddy owns the Cougar, they still in the begining of the movie! They made the beautiful chocolate brown paint dirty by spraying WD-40 on it,
then drove it down a dusty road two or three times! All said and done It took him two days of non-stop cleaning to get it all off!