WD-40 began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. It's name comes from the project that was to find a "water displacement" compound. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40.

The Corvair Company bought it in bulk to protect their Atlas missile parts. The workers were so pleased with the product, they began smuggling (also known as "shrinkage" or "stealing") it out to use at home. The executives decided there might be a consumer market for it and put it in aerosol cans. The rest, as they say,is history.

It is a carefully guarded recipe known only to four people. Only one of them is the "brew master." There are about 2.5 million gallons of the stuff manufactured each year. It gets its distinctive smell from a fragrance that is added to the brew. Ken East says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you.

Here are some of the uses:

Protects silver from tarnishing
Cleans and lubricates guitar strings
Gets oil spots off concrete driveways
Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making it slippery
Keeps flies off cows (now that's a vision!)
Restores and cleans chalkboards
Removes lipstick stains
Looses stubborn zippers
Untangles jewelry chains
Removes stains from stainless steel sinks
Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill
Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing
Removes tomato stains from clothing
Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots
Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors
Keeps scissors working smoothly
Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes
Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a super fast slide
Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers
Rids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises
Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open
Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close
Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers
Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles
Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans
Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons and bicycles for easy handling
Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly
Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools

We're not through. Here's more;

Removes splattered grease on stove
Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging
Lubricates prosthetic limbs
Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell)
Removes all traces of duct tape I have even heard of folks spraying it on their arms, hands, knees, etc., to relieve arthritis pain.
One guy claims spraying it on fishing lures attracts fish.

WD-40 has been designated the "official multi-purpose problem-solver of NASCAR," a ringing endorsement if there ever was one.

In celebration of their 50th year, the company conducted a contest to learn the favorite uses of its customers and fan club members,(Yes, there is a WD-40 Fan Club).

They compiled the information to identify the favorite use in each of the 50 states. Naturally I was curious about Georgia and Alabama and found the favorite use in both states was that it "penetrates stuck bolts, lug nuts, and hose ends." Florida's favorite use was, cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers. California's favorite use was penetrating the bolts on the Golden Gate Bridge.

Let me close with one final, wonderful use--the favorite use in the State of New York--WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.

No wonder they have had 50 successful years.

Borrowed from
Team Chevelle (http://www.chevelles.com/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi)

Have you ever heard of using WD-40 and mothballs in gasoline. There is a guy here in Hawaii on a weekly radio call-in auto show that promotes using mothballs and WD-40 in your gas tank. He says it prevents detonation and makes the engine run smoother and more economically. He also owns a auto repair shop and I wonder if he's just trying to get added business.

I had a grandfather that always used it on cuts. He swore by the stuff.

I've heard about the mothballs in the gas tankl. A friend of mine bought a new 69 4 spd. 396 Chevelle new off the showroom floor back in 69. He took the motor out and had it shipped to Tommy Ivo who in turn worked his majic on the motor. It was shipped back to him ready to go. He used to put a half mothball in the gas tank when he filled up. My understanding of it was that the mothball breaking down in the gas converted it to something similar to Nitro (no verificaytion). Ran like a bat out of H**l, his ex wrapped it all around a telephone pole on a wintery night, trying to get it out of a slide. Don't know how much is truth and how much is fantasy. This vehicle supposedly would smoke the tires in third gear cruising on the highway with a drop from 4th gear. Urban Legend?? your guess is as good as mine. Anything is possible.

I had a grandfather that always used it on cuts. He swore by the stuff.

http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/I-Agree.gif It WORKS!! 'Course...Debbie has a blue duck fit when she sees me do it! http://www.discodelic.netfirms.com/happy-dancingsmilie2.gif

My understanding of it was that the mothball breaking down in the gas converted it to something similar to Nitro (no verificaytion).

Mothballs are naphthalene, already a common component of gasoline. Adding some more is like sprinkling a little sugar in your mountian dew.



I'm sure he knew it would dissolve and wouldn't hurt anything. This is sometimes called "pulling your leg" and you fell for it "hook, line and sinker". :lol: