Thread: Is WD-40 harmful for the bearings?

Hi all,
Do you know if the well known WD-40 spray (for removing rust, lubricating and everything) harms the yoyo bearings?

I know it's best use the YYJ thin lube or some other thin oil, like sewing machine "singer" oil.
Does this product lubricate the bearing? I know it certainly does something- at least keeps it from rusting, butwhat exactly? does it interfere with unresponsive playing?
Thanks 2 all! (I'm using a YYJ Legacy now)

a quick search of this board would yield this answer x50.. but since you can't be bothered to do that..

WD-40 + yo-yo = not a good idea.

It is good for a lot of things, high speed moving parts are not one of them. The same company makes 3-in-1 oil, which is designed to do this..

wd40 will break down under the stress a bearing has, and is a very poor choice for lubrication. It can become gummy and not entirely unlike glue. It isn't really designed as a lubricant at all; and though it is often used that way in static or low-stress areas, this is not one of those times.

Kyle

WD40 is a cleaner, not a lubricant.
Its 50% stoddard solvent (white spirits), 35% dewaxed heavy paraffin (another solvent) and the other 25% is scents & CO2 in the can.

You can use it to clean out a rusted/gummed up bearing, but the residue it leaves isnt so good. Hit it with the old lighter fluid and then compressed air afterwards to clean out any residue, then use a proper lubricant.

BlackIce, I love how your can of WD-40 has 110% ingredients. You must have gotten one of those "Now 10% more free" cans.

ok so I can clean and remove lube with the wd-40.

Q1- can this also be done with "mineral turpentine"? (it's a kind of thinner)

Q2- does hair clipper oil (for shaving and hair trimming machines) act as a thin lubricant or is it bad for the bearing? I have some "babyliss lubricating oil" and I think it's similar to clipper oils like andis or wahl:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/equine/...feed-_-5611199
http://www.andis.com/USA/bladesAndMore/toolCare.asp

If you have a choice, use mineral spirits to clean the bearing. Then give it a lite lube.

You can use WD-40 to try to rejuvenate a cacked bearing. Just soak it overnite, then clean/lube as above.

The hair clipper lube will probably work fine. But unless you can buy it locally, why not order the real stuff. Musical instrument, gun lube or fishing reel lube works too.

Originally Posted by mrcnja

BlackIce, I love how your can of WD-40 has 110% ingredients. You must have gotten one of those "Now 10% more free" cans.

My 7AM maths is no match for your 3PM maths ;) my bad