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        General >> Give/Need advice to/from others >> Use of WD-40
        
(Message started by: Jeff on May 2^nd, 2012, 9:17pm)

Title: Use of WD-40
Post by Jeff on May 2^nd, 2012, 9:17pm

I've just spent a couple of hours fault finding a lack of headlights on my old mini. Turns out, you will all be excited to hear, it was collection of duff joints on the numerous spade connectors through which the volts have to traverse. Car is a bit of an animal and is only used for classic rally events, so spends a lot of its time stationary in damp air. Perfect for corrosion, with no vibrations to keep everything awake.
Question is, does the team think it would be a good idea to lightly spray all the wiring connectors (in my case loomed up and stuffed where the speedo normally goes, inc the voltage regulator here) with the old WD??
Seems to be a sensible idea to me, but Googling the question produces the now usual miriad opposing opinions.
(Think there's a lot of duff info on the web, and it's getting harder to differentiate the good from the bad. 'Answers' like, "I don't know but it might" are particularly inane and annoying).
Although this pertains to my mini, it's a general question, really. I used to spray down my kids' motorcross bikes after jet washing and that seemed to do a good job at keeping everything in good nick, but here I am asking about bare electrical connections. (No neat connectors like we have on the Scorp's and later cars, which are water proof).
Do we all remember the worst connector ever invented and then regularly positioned in the wettest areas - the bullet connector? Bloke who invented that should receive a bullet himself!
Got a few of them on the Min, too...
Anyway, all answers gratefully read...and am I the only one who uses WD-40 as an after shave?

Title: Re: Use of WD-40
Post by PJDavis on May 2^nd, 2012, 10:23pm

WD40 is good as a water-dispersant, but it also attracts dirt in dry conditions. I spent a long time with all the Kit-Cars I built making sure all joints were 'wet'. (Aye, soldered joints) There are many other sprays now, that profess to do as well as WD40 and protect to a better extent. Personal preference is involved in a question like this. I use the stuff on my old Motorcycles in amongst their switches, but not on much else.

Title: Re: Use of WD-40
Post by Scorpio_Mike on May 2^nd, 2012, 10:24pm

Some interesting WD-40 info lifted from t'internet :

According to the WD-40 Company, the name "WD-40" originated in 1953 when the product was first developed. The company, originally known as the "Rocket Chemical Company", was trying to design a protectant for metal parts on rockets to prevent rust and corrosion by displacing water... hence the "WD" for water displacement.

The "40", on the other hand, indicates that the formula (still in use today, by the by) was the 40th attempt to get it right!

Seem to recall one of the main ingredients is fish oil...so not sure if use as an aftershave could be recommended unless to keep people at a safe distance

Title: Re: Use of WD-40
Post by Matt on May 2^nd, 2012, 10:38pm

Solder as many as possible then with the rest clean them up then coat them in electrical switch gear grease

Title: Re: Use of WD-40
Post by Glyn on May 2^nd, 2012, 10:50pm

I have found Servisol switch cleaner and lubricant quite useful on my MGB -same bits as the old minis of course

Title: Re: Use of WD-40
Post by Snoopy on May 3^rd, 2012, 7:16am

I can also recommend servisol switch cleaner and also the use of a good electrical grease which I understand is "silicone grease" but that last part may be wrong. I use silicone grease to coat all my external electrical joints on all the cars I have owned and it seems to work well.

Title: Re: Use of WD-40
Post by martin_rowe on May 3^rd, 2012, 9:11am

I use KY.

:P

Title: Re: Use of WD-40
Post by gozz on May 3^rd, 2012, 1:23pm

on 05/03/12 at 09:11:38, martin_rowe wrote:

I use KY.

:P

That conjures up an interesting picture Martin,on your face eh ? do you have a particularly small face then ? :o

Title: Re: Use of WD-40
Post by PJDavis on May 3^rd, 2012, 2:52pm

How about 'Preparation H' to take those bags out from under the eyes!! :D

Title: Re: Use of WD-40
Post by dave44 on May 3^rd, 2012, 5:53pm

I use W D 40 on my Arthritic knee as an embrocation.

Title: Re: Use of WD-40
Post by Jeff on May 3^rd, 2012, 6:22pm

that'll teach me to make a joke....

I shall check out the Servisol. Thanks chaps. (I agree soldering every joint is the best).

Title: Re: Use of WD-40
Post by Mike H on May 14^th, 2012, 6:00pm

Some hate WD40, some luv it. I use it a lot, but with the assumption electrical connectors etc. are tight, else will just aggravate the problem. And yes it can attract oily dirt, but which is somewhat preferable to a dry corroded electrical connection.

I find it's good for stopping metal rusting, tools, chrome etc.

Speaking of mini tales, once had a 1,000cc auto saloon, wasn't bad actually, but would have a habit of electrically dying without warning.

Reason, all the output from the alternator (via the starter solenoid) went through one single quarter-inch Lucar blade connector, which would go soft and expand with the heat of the electric current going through it and practically fall off.

Final cure ~ replace with a 30A screw terminal block...

Title: Re: Use of WD-40
Post by Jeff on May 14^th, 2012, 9:02pm

Minis are well known for electrical troubles, esp in wet conditions.
Well...not always:

http://www.classicharvesttour.co.uk/2010%20Pages/2010car%209.html

and yes, we kept going without eve a splutter.