Malcolm Boyce wrote:oddioguy wrote:While I'm waiting for parts to arrive so I can continue the Sunn restoration,
have I addressed the use of WD40 as an all purpose electronics cleaner and conditioner??
......IT'S NOT!.....
Any questions?
Where does this fable come from? The product itself? What, if anything is it good for? Why does it suck for what you describe?
Dang...I knew there would be.
1) Yes, it comes from the official "2000 Uses" list. They suggest that it "Eliminates static on volume and tuning control knobs."
That does NOT mean "Cleans and lubricates noisy pots and controls."
But it
is a carefully crafted phrase which suggests that it is a control cleaner.
2) Apparently, 2000 uses.
Most of which boils down to a) it cleans, and b) it lubricates.
3) In order to disolve and flush dirt and oils from pots, switches, etc., an alcohol or hydrocarbon based solvent is required. This ensures that after it has completed its cleaning and flushing action, the remaining solvent will evaporate, leaving nothing behind. Adding a light lubricant to this type of cleaner leaves only the lubricant behind.
WD-40, on the other hand, is more than 60% Stoddard solvent, which is a petroluem based solvent, similar to kerosene. When it eventually evaporates, it leaves a rather sticky, oily film behind which itself traps dirt, but WD-40 also uses a "heavy by electronics standards" petroleum based oil, for lubrication. This essentially ends up trapping even more dirt.