WD 40 a bad idea?
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WD 40 a bad idea?
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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Re: WD 40 a bad idea?
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
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
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Re: WD 40 a bad idea?
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
Philip
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Re: WD 40 a bad idea?
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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Re: WD 40 a bad idea?
What is the recommendation for a commercially available oil (in small quantities)?
Thanks.
Thanks.
John
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Re: WD 40 a bad idea?
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.
I'm glad I re-read both as I would probably have used the three-in-one I already have.
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Re: WD 40 a bad idea?
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.
Build a wall along the Herefordshire border and make them pay for it.
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Re: WD 40 a bad idea?
P.S. Is isopropyl safe with plastic wheels?
Make Worcestershire great again.
Build a wall along the Herefordshire border and make them pay for it.
Build a wall along the Herefordshire border and make them pay for it.
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Re: WD 40 a bad idea?
As far as I know it is, I've used it to wipe over wheels in the past - without incident.
Mike
Mike
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