Normal, everyday items can sometimes be put to extraordinary use. And perhaps the most amazing and versatile product you have at home is WD-40. If you think this degreasing agent is only useful for squeaky door hinges, allow us to enlighten you with these 11 automotive MacGyver tips.
All you’ll need is some WD-40 and something to wipe it off with, although if a product from the WD-40 Specialist Line would work better, we’ll make note of it.
11 Automotive WD-40 Uses
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Keep Dead Bugs Off
Remember the opening dragonfly scene in Men in Black? Well, if the truck had some WD-40 sprayed on the windshield and grill, that dragonfly would have slid right off rather than creating a big, ugly smear.
In addition to preventing bugs from hitting your vehicle, WD-40 is also a great option for removing already stuck-on bugs, bird droppings, tree sap, and grime. It won’t damage your paint; just remember to rinse it off with soap and water afterwards.
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Clean and Restore License Plate
If you have a rusty, old license plate, WD-40 will clean it easily. Just spray it on, wait 30 seconds, and wipe it off with a rag. Rinse with soap, and viola, a restored license plate!
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Clean Off Small Paint Rub
If another car got a bit too close and left a small paint scuff on your car, a little WD-40 may do the trick. While not recommended for large areas, small amounts of paint transfer can be effectively removed with WD-40. Wash off the area with soap and water back to its original finish.
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Spark Plug Lubrication and Maintenance
If your car won’t start in wet or humid weather, try WD-40. WD-40 removes carbon residue and keeps moisture away from spark plugs and spark plug wires. WD stands for Water Displacement, so if your spark plugs are wet or you need to drive moisture away from ignition distributors, WD-40 will do the trick.
Turn off the vehicle and spray the spark plug wires and the inside and outside of your distributor cap with WD-40. Start the car back up to see if that did the trick.
If you keep having difficulties starting the car in wet or humid weather, you probably have a more serious problem, such as wires that need replacing. Using WD-40 to repel water from spark plugs, distributors, alternators, and batteries is a good way to prevent corrosion and keep moisture away. You can also use it to ease the removal of spark plugs, especially if there is any rust or corrosion.
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Clean Oil
If you need to clean oil from your hands, old oil cans, exhaust pipes, or even large oil spots on your driveway, WD-40 will wash it right off. When you are done removing the oil with WD-40, rinse off the area with soap and water.
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Remove Dirt, Grease, and Grime
Use the WD-40 Specialist Industrial-Strength Degreaser to clean off even the most stubborn dirt, grease, and grime from your car parts.
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Remove Stickers, Decals, Bugs, and Bird Dropping
Instead of using a knife or razor blade to remove stickers, decals, or any other material stuck to your car, use WD-40 first. Spray it on the surface, wait 30 seconds to a minute, and then use a no-scratch scouring pad to wipe it clean. Don’t forget to rinse with soap and water when you are finished.
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Prevent Mud from Sticking
If you’re an off-roader, you’ll know how difficult it is to get all of that mud and dirt off your vehicle after it dries. Prevent the mud from sticking in the first place by using WD-40 on your ATV, dirt bike, Jeep, or any other automotive vehicle.
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Prevent Breaking or Rounding Off Stuck Nuts and Bolts
If you have any rusty or stuck nuts and bolts, spray WD-40 Rust Release Penetrant to penetrate the threads. Wait a couple minutes and spray a second shot for good measure. Any fastener will be able to come off without damaging the threads or stripping the bolt.
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Protect Weatherstripping
Spray some WD-40 on your door gaskets/weatherstripping and windshield wipers to keep them pliant and extend their lifespans. You can also use WD-40 to unstick car doors and windows during cold weather.
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Clean and Shine Tire Sidewalls
Use WD-40 to help clean the sidewalls on your tires.
WD-40 Products
The new “Specialist” product line from WD-40 helps tackle the hard jobs.
WD-40 Specialist Spray & Stay Gel Lubricant
This type of WD-40 allows you to work underneath your car without having your degreaser drip all over the place. Water and rust-resistant, it’s the perfect WD-40 if you don’t want any excess dripping on vertical or upside-down surfaces.
WD-40 Specialist Machine & Engine Degreaser Foaming Spray
This degreaser is great for heavy duty machinery and cleaning and degreasing all kinds of greasy engines and equipment. The foaming action sticks to the surface, quickly cutting through the grease. All you have to do is wipe it up.
Additional Resources:
- All WD-40 uses for Automotive Maintenance & Repair [PDF]
- All WD-40 uses for Auto/Truck & Motorsports [PDF]
- 2000+ Uses of WD-40 [PDF]
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to speak with one of our Online Specialists or give us a call:
Chattanooga, TN – (423) 551-3600
Cleveland, TN – (423) 472-2000
Dayton, TN – (423) 775-4600
Dalton, GA – (706) 217-2277
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