Silicone Spray vs. WD-40: What's the Difference? | House Grail (2024)
Having a squeaking door or a jammed nut is often a call to explore some of the best lubricants the market has to offer. Most people opt for silicone spays or lubricants like WD-40, which both have a wide consumer base and share many similarities. But which product to use in a particular situation is a difficult question, so it’s best to find out the differences and uses of each.
This article will compare WD-40 and silicone sprays to help you learn the differences and decide which is best suited to specific applications.
Overview of WD-40
Many people believe WD-40 is a universal lubricant. But you would be wrong to think so. WD-40 is actually an American brand name and the trademark of a deep penetrating oil that is commonly used to remove rust and prepare metallic surfaces for paint. It is manufactured by WD-40, formerly known as the Rocket Chemical Company.
In 2014, the renowned brand was inducted into the International Space & Air Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Also, during the same decade, the company’s sales jumped by over 2.5 times from $27 to $70.2 million between 2008 and 20211.
The company’s founder, Iver Norman Lawson, formulated the water-displacing lubricant after 40 attempts. Thus, the origin of its name—WD(Water Displacement)-40
How Does WD-40 Work?
WD-40 works by displacing moisture on a surface to lubricate moving parts or remove rust. Exactly how it works is hidden in the product’s ingredients. Unfortunately, the company has kept WD-40’s exact list of ingredients under lock and key for more than 50 years to the extent that it has never patented it in fear of patent officials revealing the secret.
However, from the results published by Wired after gas chromatography and mass spectrometry results, WD-40 has several aliphatic hydrocarbons, petroleum-based oils, and carbon dioxide. Breaking down how each compound works; hydrocarbon’s ability to displace water is responsible for lubrication and anti-rusting. Petroleum-based oils, on the other hand, give WD-40 its lubricative properties. Lastly, it is said the company adds carbon dioxide gas in the mixture to pressurize so that it can be pushed deep into affected areas through the nozzle.
WD-40 has many uses at home and on an industrial scale. Some of them are:
There are over 10 types of WD-40 formulated for specific roles.
WD-40 EZ-REACH
The multi-use product was manufactured to displace moisture and protect steel and iron against corrosion and rust. It is pressurized to penetrate deeply into moving parts and lubricate them.
WD-40 Specialist Gel Lube No-Drip Formula
The long-lasting WD-40 Specialists formula is reliable at protecting surfaces from rusting for up to a year. As hinted in its name, it is in the form of a thick gel, and when sprayed over a surface, it forms an airtight boundary that stops rusting. Additionally, because it sticks on surfaces without drying off, it can be used on vertical structures, including plastics and rubber.
WD-40 Specialist Silicone
This is a special compound that waterproofs metallic and non-metallic surfaces. It is a fast-drying unique formulation that does not leave behind ugly marks. Hence, most people prefer using it to clean common household items like window panes.
Price of WD-40
WD-40 is not overly expensive, bearing in mind its efficacy. The tried and tested formula comes in sizable cans ranging from a few fluid ounces to 4 gallons at a fairly affordable cost, although it’s not as affordable as silicone sprays. Furthermore, the product is readily available almost everywhere.
Silicone Spray Overview
Silicone sprays are waterproof and protect a variety of surfaces. From DIY and home improvement sectors to industrial settings, silicone sprays are used on a broad spectrum. Given their versatility, silicone sprays are convenient to have on hand, and many people keep a can in their home, garage, and workshop in case they need it.
Many consider silicone sprays high-performance, professional-grade lubricants that offer long-lasting results. They are ideal for wood, vinyl, rubber, plastic, nylon, and metal, among other materials. In fact, high-quality food-grade silicone sprays are odorless, tasteless, and resistant to extreme temperatures, including freezing and intense heat. They are also water-repellent, meaning they safeguard surfaces from rust.
How Does Silicone Spray Work?
Being a lubricant and water repellent, silicone spray has isoparaffin, dimethicone, and petroleum gasses. Isoparaffin is a type of hydrocarbon derived from mineral oils. It is odorless and has impressive lubricating properties. Besides that, it is the main compound that softens leather and human skin too.
Dimethicone, on the other hand, is a clear, inert, and nonflammable organic polymer. It is particularly known for its viscoelasticity at high temperatures to lubricate moving parts that often work at over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lastly, most silicone sprays are pressurized by various petroleum gasses.
It is difficult to know the types of silicone sprays on the market since every brand has its unique formula. But we narrowed it down to two types of this wonderful lubricant.
Dry spray
Dry silicone sprays dry out quickly, leaving behind a thin, colorless film. It is good for the food industry.
Wet spray
Wet sprays have a copious amount of dimethicone and don’t dry out very quickly. The sprayed layer may remain on the surface for many days.
What Is Silicone Spray Good For?
Due to their harmless and lubricating nature, silicone sprays have countless practical uses.
Silicon spray is an ideal lubricant and works well on window guides, linkages, hinges, bushes, and door locks. It also protects and preserves mountings, plastic parts, door moldings, grommets, weather strips, rubber moldings, dashboards, rubber seals, and O-rings.
Spray silicone on leather shoes during extremely cold or hot weather. Silicone softens leather shoes, making them softer and more flexible.
Silicone spray plays a significant role in waterproofing and weatherproofing sports and outdoor equipment. Its best feature is that it can be used on golf bags, groundsheets, tents, duffles, and boots.
In addition, it offers unmatched lubrication for sailboat rigging equipment, golf trundlers, roller skates, and bicycles.
Price of Silicone Spray
Similar to WD-40, silicone sprays are available in small pressurized cans, which are very affordable. They are available under different brands and in almost all online retail platforms and repair shops.
The main advantage of having silicone in various brands is that customers find them at a variety of prices. Also, competition between brands has set a price ceiling.
Conclusion
Both WD-40 and silicone spray are great lubricants and surface protectors. However, WD-40 comes in many types formulated for specific situations. Silicone spray, in contrast, is also effective at lubricating moving parts and protecting surfaces but doesn’t come in many specific formulas.
WD-40 lags in terms of uses, which are limited to DIY and industrial projects, while silicone spray’s applications spill over to the food and skincare industry. Most WD-40 varieties are expensive, and the company can higher prices because it is the sole owner of the product’s formula. Silicone sprays are produced by various brands that compete for the same market and this has had a profound positive impact on their price.
Featured Image Credit: Left – Silicon Spray (aomas, Shutterstock) , Right – WD-40 (Benedek Alpar, Shutterstock)
Contents
As someone deeply immersed in the world of lubricants and maintenance products, it's evident that the choice between WD-40 and silicone sprays is a common dilemma for many individuals. With a profound understanding of the intricacies involved in lubrication and surface protection, let's dissect the key concepts introduced in the article.
WD-40 Overview:
WD-40, often misconceived as a universal lubricant, is, in fact, a brand name and trademark for a deep-penetrating oil. Its origins trace back to the Rocket Chemical Company, later rebranded as WD-40. The formulation, shrouded in secrecy for over 50 years, involves aliphatic hydrocarbons, petroleum-based oils, and carbon dioxide. These components work synergistically to displace water, lubricate moving parts, and combat rust.
WD-40 Uses:
WD-40 finds applications in various scenarios, such as removing stains, lubricating hinges, preparing surfaces for painting, and loosening rusted nuts and bolts. The product comes in multiple formulations tailored for specific roles, like WD-40 EZ-REACH and WD-40 Specialist Gel Lube No-Drip Formula. While it boasts convenience and efficacy, its exact ingredients remain undisclosed.
Silicone Spray Overview:
Silicone sprays, considered high-performance lubricants, are prized for their versatility and protective qualities. Comprising isoparaffin, dimethicone, and petroleum gases, these sprays offer long-lasting results across materials like wood, vinyl, rubber, plastic, and metal. They excel in tough conditions, being water-repellent and resistant to extreme temperatures.
Types of Silicone Sprays:
The article distinguishes between dry and wet silicone sprays. Dry sprays form a quick-drying, colorless film, making them suitable for the food industry. In contrast, wet sprays, rich in dimethicone, linger on surfaces for extended periods. Their applications span from lubricating moving parts to waterproofing outdoor equipment.
Silicone Spray Applications:
Silicone sprays prove versatile in various applications, including lubricating window guides, hinges, and door locks, as well as preserving leather shoes. They play a vital role in waterproofing outdoor gear, making them indispensable for sports enthusiasts. Moreover, their lubricating properties extend to sailboat rigging equipment, bicycles, and more.
Comparative Analysis:
The article concludes with a comparative analysis of WD-40 and silicone spray. WD-40, available in specific formulations, caters to DIY and industrial projects but lags behind in diverse applications. On the other hand, silicone sprays, produced by multiple brands, showcase a broader spectrum of uses, reaching even the food and skincare industry. While WD-40's varieties tend to be more expensive due to proprietary formulation, competition among silicone spray brands ensures affordability and a wide range of choices for consumers.
In essence, this expert analysis aims to guide readers in making informed decisions based on the nuanced differences between WD-40 and silicone sprays, considering their formulations, applications, and cost factors.
Introduction: My name is Mrs. Angelic Larkin, I am a cute, charming, funny, determined, inexpensive, joyous, cheerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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