WD 40 a bad idea?

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Andy W
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WD 40 a bad idea?

Postby Andy W » Fri Oct 30, 2015 3:37 pm

Having been inspired back into action following the buzz of Scaleforum I've unearthed a csb 0-6-0T I'd left unfinished. Running it without coupling rods, but weighted, the driven axle turns fine and moves the loco - however the two leading axles don't rotate. They are free to turn by hand with no resistance. I know adding the rods and getting the weight right will help, but is giving each axle a dab of WD 40 a bad idea? Will this go "sticky"? Would isopropyl be better - and should any WD 40 be washed away with IPA?
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Jol Wilkinson
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Re: WD 40 a bad idea?

Postby Jol Wilkinson » Fri Oct 30, 2015 5:50 pm

Andy,

I would wash out the bearings with a solvent such as cigarette lighter fluid to remove the residue of any oil, grease, etc. and then try it.

Jol

Philip Hall
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Re: WD 40 a bad idea?

Postby Philip Hall » Fri Oct 30, 2015 9:21 pm

I would not let WD 40 anywhere near a mechanism. Like 3 in 1, it can attack plastic, and the stuff could creep onto wheel centres with unfortunate results.

Philip

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Paul Willis
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Re: WD 40 a bad idea?

Postby Paul Willis » Sat Oct 31, 2015 7:42 am

Andy W wrote:Having been inspired back into action following the buzz of Scaleforum I've unearthed a csb 0-6-0T I'd left unfinished. Running it without coupling rods, but weighted, the driven axle turns fine and moves the loco - however the two leading axles don't rotate. They are free to turn by hand with no resistance. I know adding the rods and getting the weight right will help, but is giving each axle a dab of WD 40 a bad idea? Will this go "sticky"? Would isopropyl be better - and should any WD 40 be washed away with IPA?


In the motorbiking world, any suggestion to use WD40 as a lubricant is rapidly shouted down.

It's not what it is intended to do - the clue is in the name. "Water Dispersant 40".

It's intended to cover and protect metallic surfaces. Whilst it may appear "oily" it is intended to be a coating and not a lubricant. It does clean and degrease things, but not is what you would consider a "cleaning" way. It merely displaces dirt and grease.

As others have said, I'd very much suggest cleaning everything up with a suitable solvent and using clock oil or a lightweight gear oil.

HTH
Flymo
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Re6/6
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Re: WD 40 a bad idea?

Postby Re6/6 » Sat Oct 31, 2015 8:10 am

What is the recommendation for a commercially available oil (in small quantities)?

Thanks.
John

dal-t
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Re: WD 40 a bad idea?

Postby dal-t » Sat Oct 31, 2015 8:54 am

You could have a look at this thread ...
David L-T

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Winander
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Re: WD 40 a bad idea?

Postby Winander » Sat Oct 31, 2015 11:07 am

Or this one http://www.scalefour.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=90&t=2506&start=150

I'm glad I re-read both as I would probably have used the three-in-one I already have.
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Andy W
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Re: WD 40 a bad idea?

Postby Andy W » Sat Oct 31, 2015 11:40 am

Thanks gents. WD 40 now consigned to cupboard.
Last edited by Andy W on Sat Oct 31, 2015 12:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Make Worcestershire great again.
Build a wall along the Herefordshire border and make them pay for it.

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Andy W
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Re: WD 40 a bad idea?

Postby Andy W » Sat Oct 31, 2015 12:07 pm

P.S. Is isopropyl safe with plastic wheels?
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Mike Garwood
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Re: WD 40 a bad idea?

Postby Mike Garwood » Sat Oct 31, 2015 2:12 pm

As far as I know it is, I've used it to wipe over wheels in the past - without incident.

Mike


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