My neighbor the mechanic changed how I look at WD-40

Old guy next door saw me spraying WD-40 on a rusty gate hinge and just shook his head. Told me all I was doing was displacing water and the grease would wash out in a day. Said if I actually wanted it to move smooth for more than a week, I needed to use a lithium grease spray instead. Argued with him for five minutes before I grabbed his can and tried it. That was three months ago and that gate still swings quiet. Anyone else ever get called out for grabbing the wrong can?

2 comments

2 Comments

lilyfisher1mo ago

Oh man, I was definitely a WD-40 for everything person too... thought I was being smart with the spray. But yeah, lithium grease is a game changer if you want it to actually last.

james_ross1mo ago

Saw a mechanic online say WD-40 is more of a cleaner than a lubricant, which made me rethink my whole approach. Lithium grease or even just a good silicone spray seems to hold up way better on door hinges and bike chains. Kind of embarrassing how long I went thinking one can solved everything.