WD-40 is a very popular brand of penetrating oil. The product is a jack of all trades that can act as a lubricant, moisture displacer, penetrant, and rust preventative. One of the popular uses of WD-40 by car owners is on the windshield. But if you are anything like us, you won’t just do things just because others are doing them. You’ll probably want to know the reason for doing some things. In this article, we’ll discuss why drivers use WD-40 on their windshields and the potential effects of the product.
WD-40 can be used on the windshield. Thanks to its properties, which will be discussed below, WD-40 can effectively remove dirt and stains from the windshield.
Chances are that you may already be using WD-40 in your home. The product is so versatile that it even has many household applications. But we’ll be focusing on the use of WD-40 on cars in this article. Continue reading to learn about how to use WD-40 on your car.
What Is WD-40?
WD-40 means Water Displacement, 40th Formula. The product is the result of the 40th attempt of a chemist to develop a chemical compound that can protect the Atlas Missile, the first intercontinental ballistic missile developed by the US, from rust and corrosion. However, the product was found to have many household uses and was therefore made available to the public in 1958. In 1961, WD-40 was branded as a consumer product.
The WD-40 Formula is a trade secret. It has yet to be discovered exactly what it contains. The original copy of the product’s Formula is currently secured in a high-security bank vault in San Diego.
Can You Use WD-40 On Your Windshield?
WD-40 is a jack of all trades, as we mentioned earlier. It has a wide range of applications. Even though there are specialized products that outperform WD-40 in each application, WD-40 remains popular among consumers due to its versatility.
WD-40 is the epitome of the saying, “a jack of all trades, master of none, though often better than a master of one.”
You can use WD-40 on your windshield thanks to its properties. Below is why WD-40 is used on car windshields.
Excellent Glass Cleaner
WD-40 is an excellent glass cleaner. Spraying or applying it to any glass surface is bound to remove almost any type of dirt or material. Stickers, tapes, and even those stubborn adhesives of price labels all bow to the supreme power of WD-40.
Are you struggling to get that annoying sap off your windshield after parking under a tree? Or are there some unsightly spots on the windshield of your precious automobile? All you have to do is to apply WD-40 to remove all the scum and get your car looking shiny. Remember to wipe the WD-40 off your windshield after to prevent streaking and staining.
To Restore Windshield Wiper Blades
Nobody gives much thought to wiper blades. But they are one of the most important parts of your vehicle as they literally wipe rainwater, dirt, snow, dust, and debris quickly from your windshield. With time, some of the dirt removed by the wiper blades will accumulate on them and cause squeaking sounds.
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Not only is this squeaking sound distracting, but it also makes the wiper blades less efficient. One of the best ways to thoroughly clean the wiper blades and restore their original function is to clean them with WD-40.
We recommend you use WD-40 Specialist Water Resistant Silicone Lubricant Spray instead of the standard product to clean your wiper blades, as the former is designed for use on non-metal surfaces. Using the standard WD-40/product on your wiper blades may cause the degradation of the plastic component.
Other Applications Of WD-40
WD-40 also has other applications, which will be discussed below:
Lubricating Gas Caps
Stubborn gas caps can be very frustrating. There’s nothing enjoyable about struggling with a gas cap and ruining what’s supposed to be a straightforward gas refilling process. If you find your gas cap becoming more difficult to open, all you need is to spray a bit of the versatile WD-40 on it and watch as the gas cap will succumb to the greatness of the product.
Cleaning Spark Plug
Dirt and dust can accumulate on the spark plug and affect the normal operation of the vehicle. Symptoms of a dirty spark plug include reduced gas mileage, rough idling, lack of acceleration, and engine misfiring.
One of the best ways to clean a dirty spark plug is to apply WD-40, which efficiently removes carbon residue from the plugs. The product will also protect the plugs and wires from moisture.
License Plate Cleaning
All sorts of dirt and grime seem to accumulate on the license plates of vehicles. From dead bugs to salt, tree sap, and debris, your license plate is susceptible to all kinds of material. Being made of metal, the license plate can also rust.
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When you want to clean your license plate, there aren’t many products that are as effective as removing all sorts of dirt as WD-40. Even rust and corrosion are easily removed by this superb product.
Decal Remover
You are probably aware of how difficult it can be to remove decals and stickers from the bumper of your car. There is also the dilemma of trying to get the decal and stickers off without scratching your car. If you ever find yourself in such a situation, all you need is to apply a bit of WD-40, and the decal or sticker will come off.
Clean Oil Off Your Hands
Perhaps you just changed the engine oil or carried out other maintenance practices and found your hands stained with oil. It’s always recommended you wear safety gloves when working on your cars, but many drivers forego this. If you are in this category and find your hands stained with oil after working on your car, all you have to do is apply WD-40 on your hands to easily clean the oil.
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Vedran
Vedran, is a long-time expert in the field of automotive repair. After completing school for car mechanics, Vedran has amassed years of experience working on all types of vehicles. In addition to running Vedran’s own successful car repair service, Vedran is passionate about sharing his knowledge with others and helping people take better care of their cars.
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I'm Vedran, an automotive repair expert with extensive experience in the field. My journey began with formal education in car mechanics, and over the years, I've honed my skills by working on various vehicles. Apart from successfully running my car repair service, I'm enthusiastic about sharing my in-depth knowledge to help individuals better care for their cars.
Now, let's delve into the article discussing the versatile uses of WD-40 on windshields and various automotive applications. WD-40, short for Water Displacement, 40th Formula, is a widely known penetrating oil with a rich history. It originated from a chemist's 40th attempt to develop a compound to protect the Atlas Missile from rust and corrosion during the early days of intercontinental ballistic missile development in the US. Since its introduction in 1958 and subsequent branding as a consumer product in 1961, WD-40 has become a household name.
The formula itself is a closely guarded trade secret, stored in a high-security bank vault in San Diego. Despite the mystery surrounding its exact composition, WD-40's effectiveness in various applications, including automotive uses, is well-established.
In the context of windshields, WD-40 serves multiple purposes, making it a go-to product for car owners:
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Excellent Glass Cleaner: WD-40 excels as a glass cleaner, effortlessly removing dirt, stains, and even stubborn adhesives like price labels. It's particularly useful for eliminating sap from windshields, providing a shiny and clean finish. Remember to wipe off the WD-40 to prevent streaking and staining.
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Restoring Windshield Wiper Blades: Over time, wiper blades accumulate dirt, affecting their efficiency and causing squeaking sounds. WD-40 comes to the rescue by thoroughly cleaning wiper blades and restoring their function. Using WD-40 Specialist Water Resistant Silicone Lubricant Spray is recommended for non-metal surfaces to avoid plastic component degradation.
Beyond windshield applications, WD-40 proves its versatility in other automotive scenarios:
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Lubricating Gas Caps: If a gas cap becomes difficult to open, a bit of WD-40 can make the process smoother, preventing frustration during gas refilling.
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Cleaning Spark Plugs: WD-40 efficiently removes carbon residue from spark plugs, preventing issues such as reduced gas mileage, rough idling, lack of acceleration, and engine misfiring. It also provides protection against moisture.
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License Plate Cleaning: WD-40 is effective in cleaning various dirt, grime, rust, and corrosion from license plates, keeping them looking clean and well-maintained.
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Decal Remover: When faced with the challenge of removing decals and stickers without scratching the car, WD-40 proves to be a handy solution.
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Cleaning Oil Off Your Hands: For those moments when hands are stained with oil after automotive maintenance, WD-40 offers an easy solution for cleaning.
In summary, WD-40's widespread use in automotive care, including windshield maintenance, is a testament to its versatility and effectiveness in various applications. As an automotive expert, I recommend WD-40 for its reliable performance in tackling common car-related challenges.
