[Glockrunner]

I thought that you might like to know more about this well-known WD-40 product. The product 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. Its name comes from the project that was to find a "Water Displacement" compound. They were successful with the Fortieth formulation, thus WD-40.

The Corsair 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 is history. It is a carefully guarded recipe known only to four people. 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 (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you.

Here are a few of the 1000s of 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

~Restores and cleans chalkboards

~Removes lipstick stains

~Loosens 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 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 and 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

~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, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.

~Florida's favorite use was "cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers

~WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a LITTLE on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. It's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose. (Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states. )

~Keeps away chiggers on the kids

~Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately, and stops the itch.

~WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag.

~If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to start.

~WD-40, long known for its ability to remove leftover tape smudges (sticky label tape), is also a lovely perfume and air freshener! Sprayed liberally on every hinge in the house, it leaves that distinctive clean fresh scent for up to two days!

~Seriously though, it removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.

[joegerardi]

Originally posted by Glockrunner

~I have even heard of folks spraying it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.

Don't EVER do this! Take it from someone that's in a leg brace for the rest of his life: While it is true that it *will* alleviate the pain, the strain it puts on your liver trying to filter the chemicals out of your blood is tremendous, and could eventually cause liver failure.

..Joe

[Dennis in MA]

Double-ditto. And the bug-off for the kids???? Same livers, littler bodies. NOOOOO!!!!!!!!

I love the home remedies that we use for bugs on kids. Really. WD-40??? Dryer sheets??? Are not these two items parents told you to keep away from as kids????????

[G19Tony]

Originally posted by Dennis in MA
Double-ditto. And the bug-off for the kids???? Same livers, littler bodies. NOOOOO!!!!!!!!

I love the home remedies that we use for bugs on kids. Really. WD-40??? Dryer sheets??? Are not these two items parents told you to keep away from as kids????????

They didn't have dryer sheets when I was a kid. ;f

[Dennis in MA]

Well my mommy used them. We'd help fold the laundry and we'd get, "Don't go touching those. Go wash your hands!"

Now I get an email about once a month from some maroon telling me to rub it all over a baby to keep bugs away. ;Q

[epsylum]

I was told to keep a dryer sheet on you. Like stick it on your belt or something. I tried it once. I got bit, but not a whole bunch. I was literally staning in the middle of a crap load of bugs too. More specifically behind my brothers garage, in tall grass, at night, in the middle of summer, in the glowing light of a streetlight (whew, run-on sentance). I would have expected WAY more bug bites than I got. So my VERY unscientific study has shown it to reduce bug bites.

I wouldn't do it all the time, you look like an idiot with a dryer sheet hanging out of you belt. But, if you are going somehwere you know there will be lots of bugs, give it a shot. It's gotta be better than nothing.