WD40 warning

BJung · June 2, 2020, 12:27 AM

Here is a warning about WD-40 for future reference.

Year ago I was reloading and ran out of lube. I thought, why not try WD-40!. Well it worked and I was only loading a few test loads.

At the range, I was shooting those loads and had a hang fire. "hmm, I better count before ejecting the round" and lowered my sights. Within 3-5 seconds, the round went off. I was surprised and thankful I didn't eject that round. I never had a squib before or after that incident. Maybe the WD-40 got in the case and contaminated the primer. To be safe, I steer away from using it as a lube.

**Aguila Blanca** · June 2, 2020, 01:01 AM

WD-40 is NOT a lubricant!

The "WD" in WD-40 stands for "Water Displacer." It is a product that was created and intended to displace water. The base is not oil, it's kerosene -- with a bit of paraffin mixed into it.

WD-40, IMHO, has no reason to be anywhere near a firearm (unless you dropped it in the ocean and want to displace the water before you clean and lubricate it).

higgite · June 2, 2020, 06:46 AM

I don't think WD-40 used as case lube would cause a hang fire, but that said, it shouldn't be given the opportunity, either.

BJung · June 2, 2020, 08:20 AM

It's advertised as a lubricant at the time and was handy..

higgite · June 2, 2020, 08:48 AM

Quote:

It's advertised as a lubricant at the time and was handy..

It is still sold as a water displacing lubricant. I've found it to be work well for light duty applications like hinges, locks, drawer sliders, etc. Not so much for heavy duty. It's also advertised as a penetrant, so I suppose it could penetrate primers. Maybe.

NoSecondBest · June 2, 2020, 10:16 AM

WD-40 was created to be a water displacing product to be used by the military. It wasn't intended to be a lubricant for forming forming purposes. I read a lot of threads where someone or another is using some odd "lubricants" for sizing, etc that were never intended for the purpose. I'm not sure your primer failure was the result of WD-40, but there is some inclination in this post that the correct lubricant should always be used for the job. I'm not sure that this specific warning is all that useful. It's possible that your hang fire was the result of the firing pin moving after the fact from contamination in the bolt or bolt face. It doesn't sound like you know the cause of the hang fire?

Pahoo · June 2, 2020, 10:50 AM

Quote:

The "WD" in WD-40 stands for "Water Displacer." It is a product that was created and intended to displace water. The base is not oil, it's kerosene -- with a bit of paraffin mixed into it.

That has been my conclusion on the properties we "wish" it had. I have run other tests and it has failed as a lubricant and protectant. There are so many other products that are far superior. …….

Be Safe !!!

Average Joe · June 2, 2020, 03:31 PM

On the can of WD40 it states for use as a firearm lube, but if you use it, and let it sit for any length of time, it will turn into a brown goo, that is hard to remove.... ask me how I know....

cslinger · June 2, 2020, 03:56 PM

I thought you could us WD40 specifically TO KILL primers/rounds if need be. ?

FITASC · June 2, 2020, 04:19 PM

You "kill" primers by hitting them with a hammer - gun or claw - your choice.....

FITASC · June 2, 2020, 04:22 PM

Quote:

and it has failed as a lubricant and protectant. There are so many other products that are far superior. …….

One of the more comprehensive tests done:
http://www.dayattherange.com/?page_id=3667

Metal god · June 2, 2020, 10:03 PM

I was told several years ago if I wanted to deactivate a primer soak it in WD-40. So that’s what I do . I have a small jar/can filled with WD-40 and whenever I have a live primer I need to Discard I drop it in the WD-40. The one thing I’ve never done was pulled a primer back out of there sometime later and try to discharge it .

You may also wanna consider did it contaminated the powder because if there was enough to soak and penetrate the primer that to me would indicate there was enough to contaminate the powder itself .

jmr40 · June 3, 2020, 10:07 AM

Quote:

I don't think WD-40 used as case lube would cause a hang fire,

It will penetrate into the primer and damage the primer. Sometimes the primers don't work at all, sometimes you get a hangfire. Another reason to keep it away from firearms as a lubricant.

BondoBob · June 3, 2020, 10:45 AM

Just good to have a reminder of the 5 second rule. I think it's too easy to get into a sloppy habit of immediately ejecting say a FTF or FTE. This could translate into a temptation to immediately eject a squib. Thanks for the reminder.

Pahoo · June 3, 2020, 10:56 AM

Quote:

I was told several years ago if I wanted to deactivate a primer soak it in WD-40.

It will but then again, so will just about any oil or liquid. I try to take the most economical way out. Guess you could say that I am a cheap deplorable.....

I don't reload but in some of the classes that I teach, I have to deactivate primers and caps. Again, I use mineral spirits. …..

Be Safe !!!

**Unclenick** · June 3, 2020, 11:09 AM

That depends on the primer. Some are sealed so well that in one test they went off after two weeks under some solvents. Others are killed pronto. You have to know your particular primer's behavior in this regard. Alas, only one way to find out.

ammo.crafter · June 3, 2020, 11:47 AM

WOW!

I thought most shooters were aware of the no-no use of WD-40.

I once saw an experienced shotgun shooter dismantle his semi-auto and spray it down with WD. I tried to tell him it's not oil but he insisted I was wrong.

After about 25 round the gun jammed and stayed jammed.

TX Nimrod · June 3, 2020, 02:10 PM

Quote:

WD-40 is NOT a lubricant! The "WD" in WD-40 stands for "Water Displacer." It is a product that was created and intended to displace water. The base is not oil, it's kerosene -- with a bit of paraffin mixed into it....

There are SO many myths about WD-40. The statement above is full of them...don’t believe every urban legend fake news you read on the internet. For those who care about facts, check out the link below.

(I can agree it is not the best lubricant, and I haven’t used it on a firearm for many decades, but it will do in a pinch if nothing else is available. As case sizing lube.....I tried it once on a .270 WCF case 45 years ago and had to take the die to a machinist....)

https://www.wd40.com/myths-legends-fun-facts/

.

**Unclenick** · June 3, 2020, 06:34 PM

I've pointed people to the WD-40 website before. The product is, as described there, a water-displacing lubricant and corrosion inhibitor, but it is a relatively light-duty lubricant without a lot of film strength. Guns challenge lubes to stay in place without burning off or being displaced by fast or high-pressure sliding, and a fair amount of effort has gone into formulating lubes that will stand up in race guns or in combat. Nothing I am aware of yet has proven perfect for the chore, and certainly general-purpose lubes have not. Some armorers like the Mobil 1 products, as engine oils also have to stand up to high temperatures and forceful sliding and to keep carbon suspended. I like Sprinco's Machine Gunner's Lube. Some like Wilson Combat's Ultima-lube II. All these products have more viscosity and film strength than WD-40, though.

reynolds357 · June 3, 2020, 07:14 PM

WD 40 is pretty good storage oil.
My favorite gun oil costs me sbout $3.50 per quart, Napa 0w20 Full synthetic.

Metal god · June 3, 2020, 08:35 PM

Standard WD-40 sucks as a lube in any application in comparison then gun lubes do . Remember using it on your bike chain ? ( for me thats the 70’s ) Once you learned how bad it was , collects dirt and drys out/off in no time you used something else . It was back then I learned it was not a good lube but then again that depends on what your definition of good is .

After reading that lube test several years ago I bought a few cans of the top two rated products as well as corrosionX and weapon shield . I also have some Slip 2000 EWL 30 which is there thicker lube . Oh and I have maybe 10 other lubes , oils or greases . They all work better then standard WD-40 except when needing water displacement .

BJung · June 3, 2020, 09:01 PM

One person on youtube is recommending WD-40 to lube bullets before resizing powder coated bullets. From my experience I want to avoid this avoid. Besides Hornady resizing lube, what would you recommend I spray the powder coated bullets with so the sizer will swage than cut the bullet?

Metal god · June 3, 2020, 09:17 PM

Swaging lube ????

Atticus Thraxx · June 3, 2020, 09:24 PM

I’ve never tried dropping primers in WD-40. But if you suck up a primer in your vacuum and it ignites not only will it scare the hell out of you, you’re gonna have some cleanup to do. And the cat will give you the stink-eye for a couple of days, so be ready for that.

Bill DeShivs · June 3, 2020, 10:29 PM

OK guys-
I have used WD 40 for 50 years- as a steam/refrigeration engineer, jeweler, engraver, gunsmith, and musician.

It does not gum up. I have a small bottle in my vault that has been there for 8+ years. The carrier has evaporated, and what is left is light mineral oil. It does not contain kerosene.

WD 40 excels at water displacement, and it leaves a light oil in inaccessible places.

I even use it on my bass strings! If it "gummed," it would certainly show up there.

WD 40 will loosen rust-making it easier to remove-but will not harm bluing.

While it's not a heavy-duty lubricant, WD 40 will do an excellent job of preventing rust on properly stored guns.

I can give you dozens more uses.

I wouldn't use it as a reloading lube, though.

June 2, 2020, 12:27 AM	#1
BJung Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2019 Posts: 773	WD40 warning Here is a warning about WD-40 for future reference. Year ago I was reloading and ran out of lube. I thought, why not try WD-40!. Well it worked and I was only loading a few test loads. At the range, I was shooting those loads and had a hang fire. "hmm, I better count before ejecting the round" and lowered my sights. Within 3-5 seconds, the round went off. I was surprised and thankful I didn't eject that round. I never had a squib before or after that incident. Maybe the WD-40 got in the case and contaminated the primer. To be safe, I steer away from using it as a lube.

June 2, 2020, 01:01 AM	#2
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,460	WD-40 is NOT a lubricant! The "WD" in WD-40 stands for "Water Displacer." It is a product that was created and intended to displace water. The base is not oil, it's kerosene -- with a bit of paraffin mixed into it. WD-40, IMHO, has no reason to be anywhere near a firearm (unless you dropped it in the ocean and want to displace the water before you clean and lubricate it). __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

June 2, 2020, 08:20 AM	#4
BJung Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2019 Posts: 773	WD-40 It's advertised as a lubricant at the time and was handy..

June 2, 2020, 03:56 PM	#9
cslinger Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 2,045	I thought you could us WD40 specifically TO KILL primers/rounds if need be. ? __________________ "Is there anyway I can write my local gun store off on my taxes as dependents?"

June 2, 2020, 04:19 PM	#10
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,441	You "kill" primers by hitting them with a hammer - gun or claw - your choice..... __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

June 2, 2020, 06:46 AM	#3
higgite Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2010 Posts: 1,025	I don't think WD-40 used as case lube would cause a hang fire, but that said, it shouldn't be given the opportunity, either.

June 2, 2020, 10:16 AM	#6
NoSecondBest Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2009 Location: Western New York Posts: 2,736	WD-40 was created to be a water displacing product to be used by the military. It wasn't intended to be a lubricant for forming forming purposes. I read a lot of threads where someone or another is using some odd "lubricants" for sizing, etc that were never intended for the purpose. I'm not sure your primer failure was the result of WD-40, but there is some inclination in this post that the correct lubricant should always be used for the job. I'm not sure that this specific warning is all that useful. It's possible that your hang fire was the result of the firing pin moving after the fact from contamination in the bolt or bolt face. It doesn't sound like you know the cause of the hang fire?

June 2, 2020, 03:31 PM	#8
Average Joe Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,325	On the can of WD40 it states for use as a firearm lube, but if you use it, and let it sit for any length of time, it will turn into a brown goo, that is hard to remove.... ask me how I know....

June 2, 2020, 10:03 PM	#12
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 6,875	I was told several years ago if I wanted to deactivate a primer soak it in WD-40. So that’s what I do . I have a small jar/can filled with WD-40 and whenever I have a live primer I need to Discard I drop it in the WD-40. The one thing I’ve never done was pulled a primer back out of there sometime later and try to discharge it . You may also wanna consider did it contaminated the powder because if there was enough to soak and penetrate the primer that to me would indicate there was enough to contaminate the powder itself . __________________ If Jesus had a gun , he'd probably still be alive ! I almost always write my posts regardless of content in a jovial manor and intent . If that's not how you took it , please try again .

June 3, 2020, 10:45 AM	#14
BondoBob Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2020 Posts: 163	Just good to have a reminder of the 5 second rule. I think it's too easy to get into a sloppy habit of immediately ejecting say a FTF or FTE. This could translate into a temptation to immediately eject a squib. Thanks for the reminder.

June 3, 2020, 11:09 AM	#16
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	That depends on the primer. Some are sealed so well that in one test they went off after two weeks under some solvents. Others are killed pronto. You have to know your particular primer's behavior in this regard. Alas, only one way to find out. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

June 3, 2020, 11:47 AM	#17
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	WD not for guns WOW! I thought most shooters were aware of the no-no use of WD-40. I once saw an experienced shotgun shooter dismantle his semi-auto and spray it down with WD. I tried to tell him it's not oil but he insisted I was wrong. After about 25 round the gun jammed and stayed jammed. __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

June 3, 2020, 06:34 PM	#19
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	I've pointed people to the WD-40 website before. The product is, as described there, a water-displacing lubricant and corrosion inhibitor, but it is a relatively light-duty lubricant without a lot of film strength. Guns challenge lubes to stay in place without burning off or being displaced by fast or high-pressure sliding, and a fair amount of effort has gone into formulating lubes that will stand up in race guns or in combat. Nothing I am aware of yet has proven perfect for the chore, and certainly general-purpose lubes have not. Some armorers like the Mobil 1 products, as engine oils also have to stand up to high temperatures and forceful sliding and to keep carbon suspended. I like Sprinco's Machine Gunner's Lube. Some like Wilson Combat's Ultima-lube II. All these products have more viscosity and film strength than WD-40, though. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

June 3, 2020, 07:14 PM	#20
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	WD 40 is pretty good storage oil. My favorite gun oil costs me sbout $3.50 per quart, Napa 0w20 Full synthetic.

June 3, 2020, 08:35 PM	#21
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 6,875	Standard WD-40 sucks as a lube in any application in comparison then gun lubes do . Remember using it on your bike chain ? ( for me thats the 70’s ) Once you learned how bad it was , collects dirt and drys out/off in no time you used something else . It was back then I learned it was not a good lube but then again that depends on what your definition of good is . After reading that lube test several years ago I bought a few cans of the top two rated products as well as corrosionX and weapon shield . I also have some Slip 2000 EWL 30 which is there thicker lube . Oh and I have maybe 10 other lubes , oils or greases . They all work better then standard WD-40 except when needing water displacement . __________________ If Jesus had a gun , he'd probably still be alive ! I almost always write my posts regardless of content in a jovial manor and intent . If that's not how you took it , please try again .

June 3, 2020, 09:01 PM	#22
BJung Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2019 Posts: 773	One person on youtube is recommending WD-40 to lube bullets before resizing powder coated bullets. From my experience I want to avoid this avoid. Besides Hornady resizing lube, what would you recommend I spray the powder coated bullets with so the sizer will swage than cut the bullet?

June 3, 2020, 09:17 PM	#23
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 6,875	Swaging lube ???? __________________ If Jesus had a gun , he'd probably still be alive ! I almost always write my posts regardless of content in a jovial manor and intent . If that's not how you took it , please try again .

June 3, 2020, 09:24 PM	#24
Atticus Thraxx Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2007 Location: Yolo County CA Posts: 314	I’ve never tried dropping primers in WD-40. But if you suck up a primer in your vacuum and it ignites not only will it scare the hell out of you, you’re gonna have some cleanup to do. And the cat will give you the stink-eye for a couple of days, so be ready for that. __________________ "No Curling in the Squat Rack!" Looking for K98 bolt #5954 and K98 bolt #31942 for trade. DM me if you have a match. Prizes will be awarded!

June 3, 2020, 10:29 PM	#25
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,981	OK guys- I have used WD 40 for 50 years- as a steam/refrigeration engineer, jeweler, engraver, gunsmith, and musician. It does not gum up. I have a small bottle in my vault that has been there for 8+ years. The carrier has evaporated, and what is left is light mineral oil. It does not contain kerosene. WD 40 excels at water displacement, and it leaves a light oil in inaccessible places. I even use it on my bass strings! If it "gummed," it would certainly show up there. WD 40 will loosen rust-making it easier to remove-but will not harm bluing. While it's not a heavy-duty lubricant, WD 40 will do an excellent job of preventing rust on properly stored guns. I can give you dozens more uses. I wouldn't use it as a reloading lube, though. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com