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W-D 40 Soaking?

webley
For quit a while I have been soaking pistols in a tray of WD-40 (Metal parts only) for a day or so then clean the pistol thoroughly and lube it with Gun Moly, Hopp's etc. Now, I've been told that WD-40 in not a good idea. What about WD-40?
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11 comments

Date Votes
  • BOBBYWINS
    WD-40 is a penetrating oil,not really a lubricant.Although it does have lubricating characteristics,it won't last as long as a true lubricant/protectant.There will be those whe say that WD-40 will eventually "gum up the works",but I have never had that problem.

    I do the same as you on any gun I get that has any corrosion.I spray'em down and forget about it for several days,then wipe it down and do it again.This may be done several times before all the loose stuff is gone.Then I clean it good and apply a lubricant/protector.
    I personaly prefer Break-Free,but Rem-oil or any other brand will work too.

    BW

    IT'S WHAT PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THEMSELVES THAT MAKES THEM AFRAID.
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  • king999
    WD-40 is not a good cleaner. I use it faithfully at the range, when finishing up a shooting session (especially with corrosive ammo or black powder). I pretty well soak the gun, and this seems to give protection so that I may delay propper cleaning, even for a week. You do need a real bore cleaner to get out the metalic fouling and powder remnants. WD-40 is excellent POST-cleaning as an anti-rust. It forms a film that handling does not seem to penetrate, however it will also GUM up the action! Prior to shooting, a little MORE WD-40 will loosen the gum!
    Have fun!
    Morty
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  • Ray Boone
    I've used WD-40 for nearly 40 years and am pleased with it's performance, provided I used it for what it does well and not use it where other products are better. As noted, it is a penetrant. For things like getting carbon loosened from a gas system or barrel, or just loosening up any foreign matter from steel, my preferred method is to get a container that will hold all the items, without too much extra space, then put in the parts, & cover with WD-40. Let soak for a day or 2; then remove and while still wet, give a good brushing, then wipe down and give a coating of Hoppes, etc; or in the case of a barrel, clean as usual (solvent/copper cleaner). I've been told that primers are subject to deactivation by WD-40 due to it's superior penetrating ability, but since I clean the WD-40 from the gun as part of the cleaning process, I haven't had the occasion of getting it on the primers to know how well that would work.
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  • Lance
    Correct me if I'm wrong. Is not WD-40 the commercial version of circa WW II DoD: LUBRICANT, WATER DISPLACING, VERSION 40? If yes, this description clearly identifies what is its function.

    When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him. Jonathan Swift
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  • He Dog
    WD-40 is largely kerosene, why pay more?

    Personally I don't like or use the stuff, mostly because I do not like the odor, but it does not seem to hurt metal parts, so at worst you are doing no harm.
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  • bpost
    from the question you posted you can rest easy. WD 40 will not damage your guns.

    I discovered a product called CLENZOIL. it is much better than WD40 imo. It had far superior de-gunking and lubrication qualities if compared to WD 40. You can find it on the internet.
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  • Rebel_James
    The main use I have for WD40 is on my black powder guns, especially my 1853 Enfield. (repro)

    I'm a Civil War Reenactor, and during our 'battles' we sometimes fire up to 60 rounds of blanks using black powder. Before I clean my musket, I'll fold up a paper towel and put it between the hammer and the nipple. Then, I'll spray a lot of WD40 down the barrel and let it soak for about an hour. The WD40 really loosens up the black powder residue and makes it easier to clean later.

    I have left it soaking in WD40 for a few days if I couldn't clean it properly, and the WD40 keeps rust from setting up inside the barrel.

    Since WD40 is a penetrating oil, keep it far away from modern cartridges. Get just a little on a primer, it'll eat it up, and all you'll hear is a click when you try to shoot it.

    MVC-031S.jpg

    "The Greatest Battle Implement Ever Devised!"
    -- Gen. George S. Patton
    referring to the M1 Garand
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by webley
    For quit a while I have been soaking pistols in a tray of WD-40 (Metal parts only) for a day or so then clean the pistol thoroughly and lube it with Gun Moly, Hopp's etc. Now, I've been told that WD-40 in not a good idea. What about WD-40?




    Are the parts you are soaking in the WD-40 wet[?]

    If the answer is NO, then you should be using something else besides WD-40. There are LOTS of other better suited gun cleaning products to soak your parts in to clean them. I prefer Break-Free myself (the Navy buys the stuff in 55 gallon drums).

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • buddyb
    I sprayed an expensive hand saw with WD-40 to prevent rust while it hung in the tool shed,and in a couple of months it formed a gummy film.I had to use carburator cleaner to clean the saw because it would bind so bad it was unuseable.But at least it didnt rust.
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  • Wehrmacht_45
    I use this stuff called Kroil made by Kano labs. It is expensive but it is 3 times the stuff Wd 40 is.
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  • nralifers
    Gentlemen, respectfully, you are all dead wrong!!! WD-40 is the worst item you can use on your firearms. Ask the PA State police---they did a study---WD-40 is great for loosening stuck nuts and bolts BUT not as a gun cleaner or lubricant.
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