Does WD-40 harm blued guns?
- Thread starter kahrma
- Start date
Eric Larsen
New member
WD contains Kerosene which may or may not be compatible with certain gun finishes and grip materials...so to answer and not answer your question...maybe. There are better things out there for cleaning and lubing your babies...Shoot well
Mike Irwin
Staff
WD I think is considerably lighter than kerosene. It's probably a blend of different weight oils. Over time these light oils can form gum and varnishes that can be quite difficult to remove.
WD40 works as a gun cleaner and lube if you clean the gun often and thoroughly. That's why there are lots of, usually older, guys who swear that it's great. They clean often and thoroughly. By thoroughly, I mean that they clean all the old stuff off before applying any new stuff. Then, it never gets too gummy or built up. But if you allow it to sit for a long time, it gets gummy and builds up. It also doesn't protect against rust nearly as well as most modern CLP products, which is OK if you clean often and thoroughly.
Hmm, did I say often and thoroughly often enough? And thoroughly?
Anyway, I find Breakfree CLP to be just fine, and it goes a very long way...
Hmm, did I say often and thoroughly often enough? And thoroughly?
Anyway, I find Breakfree CLP to be just fine, and it goes a very long way...
Bods Oddkin
New member
WD40 is light enough to work its way, over time, into a cartridge through the primer pocket. Thirty some years ago a lot of my fellow cops thought WD40 was an answer to their gun maintenance prayers -- spray your revolver inside and out, cram it into your holster and never worry about it again. At least not until you eventually go to the range to qualify, and find out that the ammo you've been carrying in your sidearm won't fire.
My information is in accordance with Bod's. I've heard (although I haven't verified it) that WD-40's penetrative qualities cause it to leak through primers and make the ammunition not functional.
I expect a simple test could clear this up for us. I'm going to the range on Sunday. I'll put a drop of WD-40 on a couple of rounds tonight.
I expect a simple test could clear this up for us. I'm going to the range on Sunday. I'll put a drop of WD-40 on a couple of rounds tonight.
bad_dad_brad
New member
Forget WD40. Use CLP Breakfree. Plenty of threads discussing this. With CLP you really can't go wrong. With WD40 you can have problems - so why use it other than it is dirt cheap?
In fact, I use CLP for everything that I used to use WD40 for. It is a far superior cleaner/lubricant (it is amazing when protecting locks outdoors).
Just my two cents.
In fact, I use CLP for everything that I used to use WD40 for. It is a far superior cleaner/lubricant (it is amazing when protecting locks outdoors).
Just my two cents.
Try Corrosion X
I used to own a H&K USP full size .40. They are "blue." After trying aobut 80% of the products on the market, I tried Corrosion X as an external treatment for the blue and internal as a barrel conditioner. I like WD 40 for simple home applications. If you are serious about taking care of your firearm, step up to the next level.
In my opinion, for these purpose (as well as corrosion/rust protection) it has absolutely no peer. For the record, I do not work for them or have any connection whatsoever. It very simply, is the premier product in that market segement. I honestly believe it is a product of "men amongst boys" comparison.
By the way, I regret I traded my H&K and now own a Springfield Armory Custom Loaded .45acp. Corrosion X is my best bore conditioner still!
P.
I used to own a H&K USP full size .40. They are "blue." After trying aobut 80% of the products on the market, I tried Corrosion X as an external treatment for the blue and internal as a barrel conditioner. I like WD 40 for simple home applications. If you are serious about taking care of your firearm, step up to the next level.
In my opinion, for these purpose (as well as corrosion/rust protection) it has absolutely no peer. For the record, I do not work for them or have any connection whatsoever. It very simply, is the premier product in that market segement. I honestly believe it is a product of "men amongst boys" comparison.
By the way, I regret I traded my H&K and now own a Springfield Armory Custom Loaded .45acp. Corrosion X is my best bore conditioner still!
P.
629 shooter
New member
I've never had WD-40 harm any of my blued firearms. Although I use Break-Free quite a bit more.
Brad Johnson
New member
Not designed as a lubricant
WD-40 wasn't designed to be a lubricant. It was designed as a rust penetrant and water displacer. What little lubricating qualities it has come from a minute quantity of oil that is intended as a short-term surface protectant.
If you're a dedicated tightwad you can mix up your own facsimile of WD-40 by taking a gallon of kerosene and adding a cup of ATF or Marvel Mystery Oil.
WD work as an okay solvent to loosen crud, but it was never meant to be used as a dedicated lubricant. Ditto using it as a protectant for long-term storage. From what I've read Breakfree CLP is about the top of the heap when it comes to long-term protection. As far as lube goes, I usually use a few drops of light machine oil or synthetic motor oil. I usually clean and lightly lubricate my guns immediately after I finish shooting, so most any light lubricating oil will suffice for my situation. Because my guns may be stored for several weeks or even months at a time, I'm less concerned with my lubricant than I am with the effectiveness of my storage protectant.
Brad
WD-40 wasn't designed to be a lubricant. It was designed as a rust penetrant and water displacer. What little lubricating qualities it has come from a minute quantity of oil that is intended as a short-term surface protectant.
If you're a dedicated tightwad you can mix up your own facsimile of WD-40 by taking a gallon of kerosene and adding a cup of ATF or Marvel Mystery Oil.
WD work as an okay solvent to loosen crud, but it was never meant to be used as a dedicated lubricant. Ditto using it as a protectant for long-term storage. From what I've read Breakfree CLP is about the top of the heap when it comes to long-term protection. As far as lube goes, I usually use a few drops of light machine oil or synthetic motor oil. I usually clean and lightly lubricate my guns immediately after I finish shooting, so most any light lubricating oil will suffice for my situation. Because my guns may be stored for several weeks or even months at a time, I'm less concerned with my lubricant than I am with the effectiveness of my storage protectant.
Brad
When my Father died I inherited his gun collection that had been maintained with WD-40 and we're talking about a considerable number of guns. They were all like the day they left the factory and I continue to use WD-40 on my guns to the very day, with excellent results. I ocassionally go into the gun vault and spray them down with WD-40 and wipe then down with an old Tee shirt to remove the excess, along with accumulated dust since the last time I paid them a visit. My guns are kept with a dehydrator to keep the moisture down. WD-40 is also excellent for spraying into the action and parts like bolts to flush out the dirt and the accumulated contaminants.
7th
7th
The neat thing about guns is that they work so well if given anything even remotely resembling good care. (not like a lot of other things)
That said, after the reading all the WD-40 horror stories on TFL, I switched to BreakFreeCLP - it cleans better. lubes better, and goes farther so it may be cheaper in the long run (if you don't lose the can or run over it with your pickup)
That said, after the reading all the WD-40 horror stories on TFL, I switched to BreakFreeCLP - it cleans better. lubes better, and goes farther so it may be cheaper in the long run (if you don't lose the can or run over it with your pickup)
Mike Irwin
Staff
I think that's the kerosene content, Jim, that supports the mold growth.
I don't know what it is, but some critters can apparently live in kerosene. When you've got a can that's gone bad, you know it, as it REEKS.
I don't know what it is, but some critters can apparently live in kerosene. When you've got a can that's gone bad, you know it, as it REEKS.
WD-40 is a GREAT gun cleaner. Just be sure to get it all off of your gun after cleaning, and use a good protective coating. I prefer the dry lube/presevatives such as Tetra, Remoil, EEzox, Dry Slide etc. If I lived in a damp climate, I would probably use something wet and yucky like Break Free.
There's no harm in using WD-40. Just get itv off of your gun after cleaning.
And as was said earlier by Brad, WD-40 was never designed to be a lubricant or preservative.
There's no harm in using WD-40. Just get itv off of your gun after cleaning.
And as was said earlier by Brad, WD-40 was never designed to be a lubricant or preservative.