WD-40 is one of the most recognised products in any Australian workshop, shed or maintenance store — and also one of the most misunderstood. This page answers the questions people actually ask about it, checked against WD-40 Company's own published information, independent technical sources, and the current Australian/NZ safety data sheet, rather than repeating workshop folklore. Browse the full WD-40 range AIMS stocks while you're here.
What is WD-40 actually used for?
WD-40 Multi-Use Product is a water-displacing, penetrating, light-lubricating spray — its core strength is getting into tight spaces, driving out moisture, and freeing things that are stuck, squeaking or starting to corrode. In practice that covers: freeing seized nuts, bolts and hinges; quietening squeaky hardware (including gear shifters and linkages); displacing moisture from ignition systems and electrical connections after a wet job; loosening stuck zips, locks and mechanisms; and light, short-term corrosion protection on tools and metal surfaces. It's the product most AIMS customers reach for first — before moving to a dedicated penetrant, lubricant or cleaner for the jobs below that need something stronger.
What should WD-40 not be used on?
Avoid it on: long-term bearing and chain lubrication, high-load mechanisms, clear polycarbonate or polystyrene plastic, rubber seals and O-rings over time, and anything needing a food-safe or dielectric-rated product. WD-40 Multi-Use Product isn't formulated as a durable lubricant for parts under continuous load — see the next question — and while it's safe on most plastics and rubber, its solvent content can stress or crack clear polycarbonate (safety glasses, headlight lenses, machine guards) and polystyrene specifically. For those jobs, AIMS stocks purpose-built alternatives: WD-40 Specialist Silicone Lubricant for plastics and rubber, White Lithium Grease for heavy-load metal-to-metal contact, and Fast Drying Contact Cleaner for anything live or electronic.
Is WD-40 a lubricant, a degreaser, or a cleaner?
Technically, all three in a limited sense — but not a great fit for any of them as a dedicated product. WD-40 Company describes Multi-Use Product as containing "a special blend of lubricants," and it does leave a light protective film. But independent technical analysis is clear on the limitation: the carrier solvent that gives WD-40 its penetrating power evaporates, leaving only a thin oil film with low film strength — fine for freeing a stuck part or a short-term squeak fix, but not durable enough for a bearing, chain or anything under sustained load or pressure. It's a genuine light degreaser on smaller jobs (it does dissolve grease and grime), but for a dedicated degreasing job, AIMS stocks WD-40 Specialist Fast Acting Citrus Degreaser, purpose-built and stronger. Think of Multi-Use Product as the first thing you reach for, not the last.
Is WD-40 safe to use? What does it do to you?
Used as directed with normal workshop precautions, yes — but it's a petroleum-based aerosol, not water, and should be handled that way. WD-40 Multi-Use Product contains petroleum distillates and is classified as a Flammable Aerosol, Category 1 under the current Australian/NZ Safety Data Sheet, with a flash point of 49°C. Use it with adequate ventilation, avoid breathing the mist, keep it away from heat, sparks, open flame and live electrical sources before spraying, and wash any skin contact off with soap and water. If it's swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and don't induce vomiting — like any petroleum-based product, it's an aspiration hazard. None of this is unusual for an aerosol lubricant; it just means treating it like the industrial chemical it is rather than something to spray around casually.
Can WD-40 be used for cleaning?
For grease, grime, sticker residue and light general cleaning, yes — for anything requiring a dielectric or food-contact rating, no. Its solvent action cuts through grease and adhesive residue well, which is why it turns up doing general cleaning duty in workshops. But it's not a substitute for a dedicated electrical contact cleaner (see below) or a food-safe cleaner, and it can leave an oily residue that isn't ideal on surfaces you don't want slippery.
Will WD-40 remove adhesive, paint or oil stains?
For sticker and adhesive residue, yes — for cured paint, no. WD-40 Australia's own guidance is straightforward: spray it on the sticky residue, give it a few minutes to soften the glue, then wipe clean with a rag — gentler than scraping with a fingernail or blade, and on car windows it can loosen stubborn residue enough that a plastic scraper finishes the job without marking the glass. It's not a paint stripper, though — don't expect it to lift paint that's properly cured — but it can help soften fresh overspray before it fully sets, and some trades use it to loosen a fresh oil spill on concrete before treating it with a proper degreaser. WD-40 Company itself notes these broader household-style uses haven't been formally lab-tested the way the core product claims have, so test an inconspicuous spot first and use common sense.
Is WD-40 safe on car paint, plastic and rubber trim?
On paint and rubber, generally yes. On plastic, yes for most types — with two specific exceptions. WD-40 states its Multi-Use Product has been tested on many types of automotive paint with no adverse effect, though it can soften wax polish or protective coatings, so wipe it off rather than leaving it to sit, and test an inconspicuous panel first if you're unsure. Rubber seals, gaskets and O-rings are also fine for occasional contact. On plastic, WD-40's own compatibility guidance lists common trims and components (HDPE, acetal, neoprene/hard rubber, PTFE, polysulfone and similar) as safe — but specifically flags clear polycarbonate (safety glasses, headlight lenses, machine guards) and polystyrene as materials that can stress or crack on contact with petroleum-based solvents. When it's a clear, rigid plastic and you're not certain what it is, test a hidden spot first.
What does "WD-40" actually stand for?
"Water Displacement, 40th formula" — according to WD-40 Company's own account, their chemists at the Rocket Chemical Company needed 40 attempts to land on a water-displacing formula that worked, and the successful 40th version kept the name. The product was developed in 1953, originally to protect the Atlas missile's outer skin from rust and corrosion, and went on general commercial sale in 1958.
What is WD-40 made of?
The exact formula is a genuine trade secret — it's never been patented specifically so the recipe never had to be disclosed — but the general composition is public. The Australian formulation is roughly 50–60% hydrotreated heavy naphtha (a refined petroleum solvent), under 25% petroleum base oils, under 10% hydrodesulfurised heavy naphtha, plus 2–4% carbon dioxide as the aerosol propellant. WD-40 Company has also been explicit about what it isn't: no fish oil (a persistent myth), and modern formulations use refined mineral spirits rather than traditional Stoddard Solvent. The familiar smell is simply a by-product of that petroleum-solvent blend rather than a deliberately added fragrance.
Who invented WD-40, and when?
Norman B. Larsen, president of the Rocket Chemical Company (San Diego), is credited with developing and commercialising WD-40 in 1953, with some historical accounts crediting chemist Iver Norman Lawson for the original formula work. By 1965 it was being used in aircraft maintenance by major airlines, and the company listed publicly (NASDAQ: WDFC) in 1973 — it's been the same one company and largely the same formula ever since.
Is there a WD-50 or WD-60?
No — despite a real amount of search traffic looking for one, neither exists. WD-40 Company has addressed this directly: WD-50 is an internet meme that grew out of viral social media videos joking about an imaginary "next-level" WD-40 that solves everything. There's no WD-50, WD-60, or any numbered sequel product — just the Multi-Use Product and the Specialist range covering different jobs.
Is WD-40 the same as a penetrating oil?
Not quite — WD-40 has mild penetrating action, but dedicated penetrants are formulated to go further. For light surface corrosion, WD-40 will often do the job. For a properly seized, rusted-solid fastener, a dedicated penetrant with a more aggressive solvent formulation — like WD-40 Specialist Fast Release Penetrant, CRC 5-56 or similar — is the better tool. We've covered the full breakdown, including when to step up to heat or mechanical extraction, in our Penetrating Oil & Spray Lubricants Guide.
WD-40 vs CRC 5-56 — which one should I use?
Close cousins rather than opposites — both are petroleum-based, water-displacing penetrating oils with a broadly similar job description. The practical difference trade users report: CRC 5-56 tends to leave a slightly more durable protective film and has largely become the default penetrant on Australian tool trucks and in workshops for genuinely stuck or corroded fasteners, while WD-40 remains the more universally recognised name for general-purpose freeing, cleaning and light protection. Neither is a substitute for a heavier-duty penetrant like WD-40 Specialist Fast Release Penetrant on a properly seized bolt. We've put together a full side-by-side of WD-40, CRC 5-56 and the other Australian penetrating oil brands — including INOX, CorrosionX and Rocol — in our Penetrating Oil & Spray Lubricants Guide.
Can I use WD-40 to clean electrical contacts?
Not as a substitute for a proper contact cleaner. WD-40 Multi-Use Product leaves an oily residue behind, which is the opposite of what you want on a live electrical contact, connector or relay — that job needs a fast-evaporating dielectric solvent that leaves nothing conductive or insulating behind. Multi-Use Product itself isn't formulated or rated as a dielectric cleaner. AIMS stocks WD-40's own Specialist Fast Drying Contact Cleaner for exactly this, alongside the CRC and Molytec ranges. Full compatibility and AS/NZS 3000 guidance is in our Contact Cleaner Guide.
Is WD-40 a good bike chain lubricant?
As a short-term, get-you-home fix, yes — as a chain's everyday lubricant, no. WD-40's light film wears off quickly, especially in wet conditions, and typically needs reapplying after just a ride or two. Purpose-built wet, dry and wax-based chain lubricants are formulated to bond to the chain and keep protecting for hundreds of kilometres, wet or dry. Where WD-40 does earn its place in chain maintenance is as a cleaner: it's genuinely effective at cutting through old, gritted-up lube and grime before you relube — just make sure it's fully wiped or washed off with a proper degreaser first, since leftover WD-40 residue can stop a real chain lube from bonding properly. Full detail on wet, dry, wax and industrial chain lube types is in our Chain Lube Guide.
Does WD-40 leave an oily film, and does it attract dust?
Yes to both, and the two are related. Once the carrier solvent evaporates, WD-40 leaves behind a thin oil film — that's exactly what gives it its short-term corrosion protection, but the same film is tacky enough to pick up dust, grit and grime over time, especially outdoors or in a dusty workshop. It's a reasonable trade-off for a quick fix; for a surface you want to stay clean and dust-free long-term, wipe off any excess after use, or step up to a dry lubricant like WD-40 Specialist Dry Lube, which leaves a dry PTFE film rather than an oily one.
Does WD-40 kill or repel wasps and other insects?
It's a widely repeated trick rather than an endorsed use — worth being straight about the limits of it. Sprayed directly onto a wasp, the solvent can affect the insect on contact; the most commonly cited explanation is that it interferes with its wing membranes or breathing, though this isn't something WD-40 Company itself has confirmed. Some people also report it disrupting nest-building by masking the pheromone trail wasps use to navigate. But WD-40 isn't registered or labelled as an insecticide in Australia, WD-40 Company doesn't market it for pest control, and spraying a flammable aerosol solvent directly at an active nest at close range is a genuinely bad idea from a safety standpoint — both the flammability and the provocation risk. For actual pest control, use a product registered for the job.
Does WD-40 go off, and how long does its protection last once applied?
The can has a stated shelf life; the applied film doesn't have a fixed one. WD-40's own guidance puts the stated shelf life at around 5 years from the date of production, though the company notes it will often still dispense and perform well beyond that — it's usually the valve and propellant seal degrading before the lubricant itself does. Once applied, there's no fixed number of days: the light protective film breaks down faster outdoors, in wet weather, or on a part that's handled often, and lasts longer on a static part kept indoors. Treat it as short-to-medium-term protection rather than a set-and-forget coating, and reapply after washing or heavy rain exposure.
How do I get every last drop out of the can?
Shake the can well, then spray it upright or fully upside-down rather than on its side — holding it at an angle can let the propellant escape before the liquid does, leaving unusable "out of gas" product behind. Full step-by-step in our WD-40 Straw Hack guide.
Why has my WD-40 can stopped spraying?
Almost always one of three things. First, a clogged nozzle — dried WD-40 residue can block the small spray opening, especially if the can's been left standing with product sitting in the nozzle; pulling the nozzle off and rinsing it in warm water, or swapping in a spare, usually fixes it. Second, the wrong angle — a standard aerosol needs to stay upright to spray correctly, and using it on its side or upside down (unless it's specifically an EZ-Reach or inverted-use can) lets the propellant escape before the liquid does. Third, it's genuinely out of propellant with liquid still inside — give the can a shake, and if you can't hear liquid sloshing around, the propellant's spent and the rest isn't recoverable through the nozzle. See our WD-40 Straw Hack guide for getting the last of a can out before it reaches that point.
What's the difference between WD-40 Original and the Specialist range?
Multi-Use Product is the general-purpose original; Specialist is the purpose-built range for jobs it isn't ideal for. Multi-Use Product — the familiar formula in the standard can — is the one to reach for first for freeing, light lubrication, moisture displacement and general cleaning. WD-40 Specialist is built for jobs where a dedicated product does better: White Lithium Grease for heavy-load metal-to-metal contact, Silicone Lubricant for plastic and rubber, Fast Drying Contact Cleaner for anything electrical, Fast Release Penetrant for badly seized fasteners, Fast Acting Citrus Degreaser for proper degreasing, and Dry Lube — a PTFE-based formula that dries to a non-oily film rather than leaving a wet residue, useful anywhere dust and grit sticking to an oily surface is a problem, like door tracks, locks and some chains. If you're not sure which job you've got, Multi-Use is the safe starting point; step up to a Specialist product once you know exactly what's needed.
What other products does WD-40 Company make?
Multi-Use Product and the Specialist range are the most familiar, but WD-40 Company owns a wider stable of brands — including some proudly Australian ones. Solvol, the heavy-duty hand cleaner that's been in Australian workshops for over 100 years, is a WD-40 Company brand — AIMS stocks it as Solvol Soap — alongside 3-IN-ONE oil and NO VAC carpet cleaning products, both also distributed here. Internationally, the company's portfolio includes 3-IN-ONE and GT85 lubricants in the UK, and household names like Lava hand soap, Spot Shot carpet cleaner and X-14 bathroom cleaner in the US — none of which are typically stocked in the Australian trade market. Full list on WD-40 Company's own brands page.
Does WD-40 come in bulk sizes for trade use?
Yes — beyond the standard aerosol can, AIMS stocks WD-40 Multi-Use Product in a 4L bulk container and a drum for workshops and fleets going through it fast enough that individual cans don't make sense, alongside the Smart Straw, EZ-Reach Flexi Straw and non-aerosol trigger spray formats for different application needs. Browse the full WD-40 range or call the AIMS team on (02) 9773 0122 for bulk trade pricing.
How should WD-40 be stored and transported in Australia?
As a Flammable Aerosol Category 1 product, WD-40 falls under UN1950 (Aerosols, flammable) for dangerous goods purposes. Store it in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat, sparks and direct sunlight, at a maximum storage temperature of 50°C, away from oxidising agents, and never puncture, crush or incinerate cans — even empty ones. It's not generally accepted for air transport and moves under Limited Quantity provisions for surface transport in Australia. If you're moving or storing it in volume, check the current SDS for your specific product format, since aerosol and non-aerosol (trigger spray, bulk liquid) versions are classified differently.
Still not sure which WD-40 product is right for the job?
Call the AIMS team on (02) 9773 0122 or browse the full WD-40 range — Multi-Use Product for general freeing, cleaning and light protection, and the Specialist range where the job needs something purpose-built.