Anodized Chassis

[Cliff Beer]

Well Trivia for you... WD 40 is not WD40 any more. It is actually several versions past that. The WD 40 of several years ago was flammable, and a bad oxidizer of aluminum. In fact it was not good to spray it on any riveted together aluminum panels because it would wick between panels; if the panels were not treated or panted prior to being assembled it would act like an acid that was left to there destroy.

If you happen to have a much older can of WD40 kicking around test it out. Spray some on a white cloth or almost any clean cloth and wipe down some aluminum. The cloth will be black in an instant as it removes the oxide layer. Try the same with some new stuff and it will only kinda, sorta but not really polish up the Al.

Thanks.

1. WD40 is specifically formulated to wick between panels or other joints. That's the low viscosity hydrocarbon included in the formulation for that very purpose.

2. It's not acidic, nor does it corrode metals. It's designed specifically (and remains today) to protect metal surfaces with a benign mineral oil. That's its primary design purpose.

3. The compressed propellant has changed from a hydrocarbon to carbon dioxide. The propellant quickly evaporates away and has no effect upon its protective qualities.

There's lots of easily-read materials out there which explain WD40's history and qualities, though you won't see any of that on Oprah's Best Seller list.

Incidentally, the fact that it's good for loosening rusted bolts and quietening squeeky hinges is really just an incidental quality, but it sure does work well for that too.