kais67•5mo ago

Old timer at the junkyard changed my mind about WD-40

I used to think WD-40 was basically magic for everything. Stuck bolt? Spray it. Squeaky hinge? Spray it. But last month I was at Pull-A-Part in Phoenix trying to get a rusty alternator off a 2002 Civic and this retired mechanic named Hank walked by. He watched me drench everything in WD-40 for like 10 minutes before he said "son, you're just making it slippery, not breaking the rust." He pulled out a can of PB Blaster from his bag and sprayed it on, waited 5 minutes, and the bolt came loose with a normal ratchet. I still use WD-40 for cleaning and protecting stuff but now I keep a separate can of actual penetrant for rust. What do you guys use for seized bolts that actually works?

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3 Comments

terrywilson5mo ago

Pulled out a can of PB Blaster from his bag" wait, he just carries that around?

2

irisg575mo ago

Right? My uncle keeps a can in his truck 24/7.

1

loganbaker5mo ago

Man I don't know, people act like WD-40 is useless all of a sudden and I think it's overblown. I've had plenty of rusty bolts let go after a good soak and a little patience with the blue and yellow can. Not saying PB Blaster doesn't work, but does it really need to be this whole separate category of tool?

1