wd40 or diesel??

ryuusnow · August 4th, 2011, 06:20 PM

this has probably been gone over a million times...but what would technically be better to clean my chain with? diesel doesnt dry out the o-rings as far as i have heard. just wondering what peoples opinions are

setasai · August 4th, 2011, 06:23 PM

I prefer WD-40. You'll be wiping it dry and lubing it up right away anyways.

clintalmighty · August 4th, 2011, 06:39 PM

Do NOT use WD-40. It is a penetrating solvent which can and will damage your O-rings. Use Diesel or Kerosene

alex.s · August 4th, 2011, 06:59 PM

aren't diesel and kerosene also technically solvents?

setasai · August 4th, 2011, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clintalmighty

Do NOT use WD-40. It is a penetrating solvent which can and will damage your O-rings. Use Diesel or Kerosene

Um Ok. I use kerosene but I've heard countless threads of people using WD-40 on their chains without a problem. If I didnt have a huge gallon of kerosene in my garage, i'd have used WD-40.

alex.s · August 4th, 2011, 07:02 PM

i just looked it up... technically kerosene is almost the same compound as wd40...

however WBW says its probably a bad idea:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/motor...chain-cleaner/

more direct info:

Quote:

We learned that WD-40 is really good for the light uses that it was intended for and that needs to be emphasized. However, it is largely a penetrant, which will do just that!

Once it penetrates into the sealed area, it dissolves the petroleum out of the grease, leaving the clay binders. What's left in the bearing is essentially dirt that cakes up, causing the balls to skid. Without the petroleum, the bearing will also rust.

The reason that kerosene and diesel fuel are still favorites and recommended by the chain people is that while both can be penetrants, they are a thicker petroleum and just what the O-rings are trying to seal against.

the way it's phrased makes it sound perfect for cleaning right before relubing with proper lube... but ... well... why risk it

Snake · August 4th, 2011, 07:35 PM

Very interesting article. I will never use wd-40 again after using it to clean a chain and 200 miles later it would not move freely and several collars on the chain broke.

Alex · August 4th, 2011, 07:43 PM

Another useful WD-40 thread ---> right here

mrlmd · August 4th, 2011, 09:35 PM

After you get the chain clean, lube it with Dupont Teflon Spray Lube - clean, no mess, quick to apply (spray it on), nothing (like dirt or road grime) sticks to it, highly recommended by many bike forums. You don't have to go through all that mess to clean your chain again, I use it, works great. Avail at Walmart, Ace, Loews, auto parts stores, in a blue spray can, about $8.00, a can lasts a long time. Try it, you'll like it, instead of reapplying heavy oil or chain grease.

Snake · August 4th, 2011, 09:55 PM

Thanks for the tip Marc, sounds like some great stuff.

alex.s · August 4th, 2011, 10:16 PM

i heard that teflon spray stuff corrupts your soul...

setasai · August 4th, 2011, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

i heard that teflon spray stuff corrupts your soul...

Only if you have one to begin with.

gfloyd2002 · August 5th, 2011, 05:39 AM

WD40 consists of 50% Stoddard Solvent (which is just desulferized kerosene with a lower flash point), 25% propellant, 15+% Mineral oil (light lubricating oil) 10-% Inert ingredients.

So you are basically using a solvent when you use it, very much the same as kerosene. It will attack rubber, paint finish, you name it. Including the o-rings in your chain over the long term if you leave it on you chain.

But the long-term thing is the key. For short term use as a chain cleaner, it is fine. Not ideal, but fine. Better to use kerosene, but if you don't have it, WD40 works well. Though, if you use it on your chain, be sure to use it as a cleaner only, then wipe it all off and put on a good chain lube afterward. Better to use kerosene to clean the chain.

I did a lengthy post here that includes the results of testing of WD40's effect on your chain and includes more detail than I'm repeating here.

August 4th, 2011, 06:20 PM	#1
ryuusnow ninjette.org member Name: michael Location: oregon Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250r (RED!!!) Posts: 18	wd40 or diesel?? this has probably been gone over a million times...but what would technically be better to clean my chain with? diesel doesnt dry out the o-rings as far as i have heard. just wondering what peoples opinions are

August 4th, 2011, 06:59 PM	#4
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	aren't diesel and kerosene also technically solvents? __________________________________________________

August 4th, 2011, 07:43 PM	#8
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Another useful WD-40 thread ---> right here __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

August 4th, 2011, 10:16 PM	#11
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	i heard that teflon spray stuff corrupts your soul... __________________________________________________

August 5th, 2011, 05:39 AM	#13
gfloyd2002 User Title Free Since '12 Name: Floyd Location: Barbados Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250R Special Edition Green Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 13 MOTM - Feb '12	WD40 consists of 50% Stoddard Solvent (which is just desulferized kerosene with a lower flash point), 25% propellant, 15+% Mineral oil (light lubricating oil) 10-% Inert ingredients. So you are basically using a solvent when you use it, very much the same as kerosene. It will attack rubber, paint finish, you name it. Including the o-rings in your chain over the long term if you leave it on you chain. But the long-term thing is the key. For short term use as a chain cleaner, it is fine. Not ideal, but fine. Better to use kerosene, but if you don't have it, WD40 works well. Though, if you use it on your chain, be sure to use it as a cleaner only, then wipe it all off and put on a good chain lube afterward. Better to use kerosene to clean the chain. I did a lengthy post here that includes the results of testing of WD40's effect on your chain and includes more detail than I'm repeating here. __________________________________________________ "Improvement makes straight roads, but the crooked roads without improvement, are roads of genius." — William Blake

August 4th, 2011, 06:23 PM	#2
setasai ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Brian Location: Detroit, MI Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Green Posts: A lot.	I prefer WD-40. You'll be wiping it dry and lubing it up right away anyways.

August 4th, 2011, 06:39 PM	#3
clintalmighty ninjette.org member Name: Clint Location: Texas Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r 2009 Honda CBR600RR Posts: 178	Do NOT use WD-40. It is a penetrating solvent which can and will damage your O-rings. Use Diesel or Kerosene

August 4th, 2011, 07:35 PM	#7
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Very interesting article. I will never use wd-40 again after using it to clean a chain and 200 miles later it would not move freely and several collars on the chain broke.

August 4th, 2011, 09:35 PM	#9
mrlmd ninjette.org sage Name: Marc Location: Crawfordville, Florida Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Suzuki S50, 2006 Kawasaki Ninja EX250F, 1990 Honda PC800, 2000 Yamaha TW200 Posts: 848	After you get the chain clean, lube it with Dupont Teflon Spray Lube - clean, no mess, quick to apply (spray it on), nothing (like dirt or road grime) sticks to it, highly recommended by many bike forums. You don't have to go through all that mess to clean your chain again, I use it, works great. Avail at Walmart, Ace, Loews, auto parts stores, in a blue spray can, about $8.00, a can lasts a long time. Try it, you'll like it, instead of reapplying heavy oil or chain grease.

August 4th, 2011, 09:55 PM	#10
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Thanks for the tip Marc, sounds like some great stuff.

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