the many uses of WD-40
As many know we've recently been deluged with rainfall in Texas. During a recent multi-hour break from the rainfall, I decided it was time to do something about my yard that was fast needing more than just the usual trim. Everything: the grass, shrubs, trees, etc. were in need of a haircut. I don't like to do yard work while there's excessive amounts of moisture but necessity overruled this time. As I finished each stage of my task I remember thinking about how I was going to clean all my equipment and help protect it from rusting due to all the moisture. That's when I remembered one of my favorite tools in my arsenal. It was time to break out the WD-40. After getting everything cleaned up as much as possible after use, it was all in need of a good dowsing with WD-40. Shrub clippers, pruners, string trimmer head, mower deck/wheels/blade and blower all got a good spray.
My primary appreciation of this product goes back many years to when I was a heavy equipment mechanic in the oil fields, and as an avid 4-wheeler. In both instances there wasn't much that WD-40 couldn't take care of and, as you can imagine, both involved excessive amounts of water, dirt, mud, grease, grime, and well, you get the idea.
It wasn't till some years later when I found out what the name of the product actually stood for, that my real appreciation and understanding of the product came to fruition. I don't even remember how I found out but I did and it sure makes sense looking back on all the times that using the product saved my bacon. I can remember being buried up to the running boards and deeper in mud and water in some instances in vehicles that would no longer run. In most cases after extracting from the bog, a few squirts of WD in all the right places amazingly got us moving again. WD-40 literally stands for Water Displacement, 40th formula. A chemist attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion - a task which is done by displacing water, happened to get it right on the 40th attempt. Check out the WD-40 website to learn more about its history and the many uses for this great product. You'll see why I always keep a few cans handy for use around my home and while doing diy projects.
~don