When Should I Not Use WD-40? [Crowdhacker]

D-40 was first used by the military in the '50s to clean up Atlas missile parts. Today, it's used by people everywhere to clean up virtually everything in need of a gleam. But don't go spraying the stuff just anywhere. WD-40 can cause more harm than good to certain household items. The DIY enthusiasts at Stack Exchange chime in. Photo by Jorge Barrios.It seems like WD-40 can be used to lubricate just about any moving metal part. But is this true? Are there instances when WD-40 can be harmful?— sharptooth (originally asked here)WD-40 isn't actually a true lubricant. WD stands for "water displacing" and its main use is as a solvent or rust dissolver.The lubricant-like properties of WD-40 come not from the substance itself, but from dissolving components. And the effect doesn't last.WD-40 can be a good substance to start with — it can help clean up rust or other grime. But depending on what you're working with, you should probably follow up WD-40 with use of a true lubricant such as one based on silicone, grease, Teflon, or graphite.— Answered by Cody CFirearms - You should never use WD-40 to clean or maintain firearms. WD-40 is hygroscopic and will attract moisture to the firearm which will result in rust. Drive chains of any type - Because WD-40 isn't a lubricant, it really will not work well on drive chains of any type. Gears of any type - WD-40 doesn't have enough lubrication affect to be useful on any type of gearing. Only specified gear lubricants should be used in this case.— Answered by nevadaexile Never JUST use WD-40 on door hinges or anything you want to keep clean. It attracts dirt and dust. It will turn your hinge pins black.— Answered by shirlock homes WD-40 can wash dirt into a bike chain, ruining the chain and taking out the gears along with it. Stay away, cyclists.— Answered by Mathew My sister works at a music store. She said a dad ruined his kid's $800 clarinet by using WD-40 on "the squeaky part" — and no, that isn't the entire clarinet.— Answered by AnonJr Serious cubers will lube their cubes with Jigaloo, CRC silicone, or even vaseline. They will point and laugh at noobs who use WD-40, which contains petroleum distillates (paint thinner) that can melt and seize a cube. Crazy, I know, but noobs keep doing it.— Answered by cidermonkeyThink you know where WD-40 should never go? Leave your suggestion in the comments or submit it at Stack Exchange, an expert knowledge exchange on diverse topics from software programming to cycling to scientific skepticism.View the original article here