Do you own a mechanic shop, an automotive business, or a manufacturing company? Among your many duties, when fixing, repairing, or maintaining metal products and equipment, you might need to remove rust. The process can be complex without the right rust removers.
WD-40 is one product that can help you with this process, but you might be wondering how effective it can be. In this article, we’ll answer the question ‘Does WD-40 remove rust?’ and share how effective it is. We’ll also cover the best WD-40 products for handling jobs like these.
Does WD40 Remove Rust?
The short answer and positive news is that - yes - WD-40 does remove rust or ferric oxide. It can penetrate surface-level rust, such as the oxidation you might see on older automobiles. The clue is in the name, as WD-40 means ‘water displacement - 40th formula’, so it is manufactured as an anti-corrosive anti-moisture product.
The product has been successfully used in various industries, such as aviation, aerospace, and marine environments.
Types of WD-40 Solutions that Remove Rust
There are so many WD-40 solutions on the market, and each removes rust - we’ve included the many kinds below so you can narrow down your choice and find what you need.
1) WD-40 Formulas in Can Form
Order from the many WD-40 can form solutions in our industrial top category , and you’ll have a heavy-duty lubricant that’s ideal for many mechanical, manufacturing, engineering, and automotive jobs.
These can-form solutions are perfect for soaking parts when you want to loosen and remove rust, but you can also use them for removing grease and grime from bare metal surfaces and surrounding parts that are particularly large. They can additionally work well for removing adhesives and protecting against corrosion. Purchase this kind of WD-40 from BuyDirect to banish rust from your metal components.
Ideal for :
Freeing those sticky metal mechanisms.
Preventing the squeaking of metal parts.
Cleaning metal surfaces.
2) WD-40 Solutions with Spray Nozzle
Buy from the various WD-40 spray nozzle solutions in our chemicals, lubricants, and paints category , and you will have a lubricant that works for precise application. It’s perfect for various jobs in the manufacturing, agriculture, mining, construction, and aerospace industries.
These types of spray-nozzle-form products are ideal for guiding a precise stream of lubricant toward small metal pieces like screws that have rust on the surface. They can also be versatile, since you can widen the stream of spray and cover a larger surface, such as bigger washers. Buy this type of WD-40 here to additionally protect metal surfaces from rust and corrosion.
Ideal for :
Keeping moving parts like hinges and gears lubricated.
Switching between precision and regular sprays.
Applying to small tools to keep them rust-free.
3) WD-40 Wide Nozzle Aerosol Solutions
Purchase from the range of WD-40 wide-nozzle aerosol can solutions at BuyDirect, and loosening rusted parts becomes a simple process. You can easily free sticky mechanisms, too, by applying the solution through the wide nozzle.
These kinds of aerosol can-form lubricants are perfect for when you want to cover a surface area that’s larger than a small washer, but smaller than items like the body of a vehicle. It’s particularly useful if you want to lubricate gears and hinges, and need a WD-40 solution that delivers the lubricant quickly over the area. For jobs like these, purchase this form of WD-40 to get rid of rust efficiently.
Ideal for :
Applying to gears and hinges.
Delivering metal lubricant quickly and efficiently.
Loosening rusted parts.
Which Elements in WD-40 Remove Rust?
You’ll see that several ingredients in WD-40 can remove rust efficiently. The elements capable of eradicating rust from metal surfaces and loosening parts include:
Petroleum base oils - Also known as mineral base oils, petroleum base oils are foundation fluids that contain paraffins, ideal for oxidation resistance. They offer lubrication and minimize friction between moving parts, and additionally create a protective film that repels moisture.
Aliphatic hydrocarbons - These hydrophobic elements can dissolve greases and oils and help to penetrate rust layers. Instead of reacting with the metal or rust, they dislodge the oxidation through a mechanical process and displace moisture that may be present on the metal surface.
Rust inhibitors - Additionally referred to as corrosion inhibitors, these elements slow down the rusting process on metal surfaces. They react with the metal and then create an unreactive oxide layer. They also contain amine salts that form a film, which can prevent rust from forming.
How to Use WD-40 to Remove Rust
The easiest way to use WD-40 to remove rust is to first purchase and use a wire brush to get rid of any flaking rust. After this, spray a generous amount of the powerful lubricant onto the area that has oxidized. You’ll then need to let the area soak for approximately 10 minutes.
Once the lubricant has sat on the metal, you can use a wire brush to scrub away the rust elements. Repeat the process for stubborn areas, adding more WD-40 as you do so. Be sure to then wipe away any WD-40 lubricant, and then keep the rust-free surface protected by adding a light coating of lubricant to the whole surface.
If you have a larger metal surface, you can let the product soak in large amounts of the lubricant before cleaning the rust away. Follow the directions on the WD-40 product to use it correctly - (leave the metal surface in the solution for at least an hour before wiping and cleaning it).
Buy WD-40 Products to Remove Rust Effectively
Rust can be an expensive problem that ruins metal parts and causes mechanisms to malfunction significantly. As a mechanic, automobile maintenance professional, or manufacturer, you’ll want to keep rust away from those crucial metal mechanisms and parts, and WD-40 can help.
Trying to find the WD-40 products in this article? You can purchase them at BuyDirect. Our range of lubricants is vast, and we stock all of the forms of this solution listed above. Shop WD-40 products as a Mission customer, benefit from free shipping, and remove rust quickly and efficiently.
FAQs
Learn more about WD-40 and rust in the FAQs below!
Is it Safe to Use WD-40 on a Car?
Some great news is that, yes, you can absolutely use WD-40 on a car - you might want to loosen stubborn dirt and grease, for instance, which the multi-use WD-40 can help with.
This solution is safe to use if you need to apply it to the vehicle’s paint, cast iron elements, chrome parts, stuck parts, and more. You can also use it for automotive grease - just coat the surface with the WD-40 solution and then wipe it clean and rinse.
How Long Should You Let WD-40 Sit to Remove Rust?
It’s recommended to apply and let WD-40 sit for around 10 minutes if you want to remove rust from a metal object. You can use the spray nozzle solution to apply the formula and then lightly scrub the metal surface after letting it sit to remove the oxidized elements.
If you’re using the remover soak solution and want to remove rust from large parts, WD-40 suggests leaving the part to soak for between one and three hours.
Does WD-40 Contain Acid?
WD-40 doesn’t contain acid or caustic chemicals - this means that it is safe to use on most metals. You can leave it on metal surfaces according to the instructions, as this will displace moisture.