WD40 on brake discs for 4 week parking?
Discussion
It is sometimes quite funny to see the extremes of opinion on PH!
Whilst I would never cover brake discs with oil to prevent them rusting, I have used WD and the like to remove tar spots from wheels, calipers etc and had overspray from that certainly get on the discs with no ill effect. Likewise I regularly use spray polish on rims, which also gets on to the discs with no ill effects.
I doubt very much that a film of WD would be worse for the discs than a heavy layer of rust, either short or long term, if serious rust was a genuine risk.
Whilst I would never cover brake discs with oil to prevent them rusting, I have used WD and the like to remove tar spots from wheels, calipers etc and had overspray from that certainly get on the discs with no ill effect. Likewise I regularly use spray polish on rims, which also gets on to the discs with no ill effects.
I doubt very much that a film of WD would be worse for the discs than a heavy layer of rust, either short or long term, if serious rust was a genuine risk.
REALIST123 said:
It is sometimes quite funny to see the extremes of opinion on PH!
Whilst I would never cover brake discs with oil to prevent them rusting, I have used WD and the like to remove tar spots from wheels, calipers etc and had overspray from that certainly get on the discs with no ill effect. Likewise I regularly use spray polish on rims, which also gets on to the discs with no ill effects.
I doubt very much that a film of WD would be worse for the discs than a heavy layer of rust, either short or long term, if serious rust was a genuine risk.
all well and good but the rear of each disc will be covered by a backplate which would either require removing the discs to cover them sufficiently(might as well just leave them off then) or a lot pouring on them in the first place to ensure coverage,which would leave the pads contaminated.Whilst I would never cover brake discs with oil to prevent them rusting, I have used WD and the like to remove tar spots from wheels, calipers etc and had overspray from that certainly get on the discs with no ill effect. Likewise I regularly use spray polish on rims, which also gets on to the discs with no ill effects.
I doubt very much that a film of WD would be worse for the discs than a heavy layer of rust, either short or long term, if serious rust was a genuine risk.
Robert Elise said:
Car being parked up for just over 4 weeks in the Algarve – damp and salty!
Fear of surface rust becoming more pitted, hence thought of WD40 on discs.
Is there a chemical reaction with the pads? The pads have to suffer road oil anyway… I’m not bothered about comments regarding a lubricant on the braking system per se, after a few presses of the brake pedal things will work fine I know. My one concern would be a chemical reaction beyond mere surface film. thx
I am shocked and really hope this is a pi55take.Fear of surface rust becoming more pitted, hence thought of WD40 on discs.
Is there a chemical reaction with the pads? The pads have to suffer road oil anyway… I’m not bothered about comments regarding a lubricant on the braking system per se, after a few presses of the brake pedal things will work fine I know. My one concern would be a chemical reaction beyond mere surface film. thx
Robert asked a question and only few have even tried to answer it. Instead most have ganged up into a pack that want to tear him apart for even having the thought. Maybe having a thought is strange to some but the result is a low point in this forum.
@Robert: for what it's worth there are a few constructive points among the string of "NO NO NO Darwin Award" posts. Firstly you are unlikely to have a problem after four weeks, secondly the WD40 will evaporate and thirdly you will not get complete coverage anyway because of the back shield. Just park it in gear with the handbrake off and have a nice time while you are away.
@Robert: for what it's worth there are a few constructive points among the string of "NO NO NO Darwin Award" posts. Firstly you are unlikely to have a problem after four weeks, secondly the WD40 will evaporate and thirdly you will not get complete coverage anyway because of the back shield. Just park it in gear with the handbrake off and have a nice time while you are away.
Locknut said:
Maybe having a thought is strange to some but the result is a low point in this forum.
You don't think it even slightly odd that someone should post on a motoring forum that he's not concerned about spraying his brake discs and pads with a lubricant?I agree we've reached a low-point on the forum; however, it's not the replies to the ludicrous question that are the nadir, but the fact that someone who has the ability to pass a driving test should ask such a question in he first place.
And possibly the fact that at least one other person thinks it's a reasonable query.
AdeTuono said:
Do all the 'local' cars in The Algarve have discs made out of some exotic alloy that is immune to rust, or is there a some system in place whereby they are never stationary for more than 3 weeks at a time?
No but the relative humidity is so low that the salt in the air by the coast is all but non existent. The sea air in Brighton would cause much more damage. Edited by AdeTuono on Sunday 3rd November 21:52
Am I missing something here?
Firstly you ask if it is a good idea to spray your discs with a lubricant.
Then when others question your reasons for EVEN CONSIDERING doing so you say there is virtually no relative humidity and effectively no salt in the air.
By my reckoning that therefore means that you yourself have stated that it isn't required, as these are both key components required to accelerate the rusting process.
Firstly you ask if it is a good idea to spray your discs with a lubricant.
Then when others question your reasons for EVEN CONSIDERING doing so you say there is virtually no relative humidity and effectively no salt in the air.
By my reckoning that therefore means that you yourself have stated that it isn't required, as these are both key components required to accelerate the rusting process.
andyiley said:
Am I missing something here?
Firstly you ask if it is a good idea to spray your discs with a lubricant.
Then when others question your reasons for EVEN CONSIDERING doing so you say there is virtually no relative humidity and effectively no salt in the air.
By my reckoning that therefore means that you yourself have stated that it isn't required, as these are both key components required to accelerate the rusting process.
Yes, you are missing something. Firstly you ask if it is a good idea to spray your discs with a lubricant.
Then when others question your reasons for EVEN CONSIDERING doing so you say there is virtually no relative humidity and effectively no salt in the air.
By my reckoning that therefore means that you yourself have stated that it isn't required, as these are both key components required to accelerate the rusting process.
'Himself' isn't the OP.
Wedg1e said:
I spray my lathes with WD40, it evaporates and the lathes still rust. Work that one out.
...
WD40 isnt really a lubricant certainly not a good one. Its more a penatration fluid. ...
It does lubricate slightly, For eg if you spray it on a squeeky hinge it will free the hinge off and stop it squeeking but only for a short time.
Always best to use WD first to clean etc then protect something use normal oil.
Ignore the idiots.
The WD40 will evaporate. Not dangerous (assuming you don't soak the pads with it), but it won't do much to protect the discs.
4-weeks won't do any lasting damage to the discs, but, in cases where discs have a fairly heavy coating of surface rust, you can use a wire brush on a drill to clean them up.
The WD40 will evaporate. Not dangerous (assuming you don't soak the pads with it), but it won't do much to protect the discs.
4-weeks won't do any lasting damage to the discs, but, in cases where discs have a fairly heavy coating of surface rust, you can use a wire brush on a drill to clean them up.
AdeTuono said:
You're either doing your bit to reduce the size of the gene-pool, in which case, well done; or you're a complete idiot.
I'd take a guess at the latter.
Well done chap... this was very useful to the OP I'd take a guess at the latter.
I will, however, say that if the OP sprays WD40 on his discs, he should wipe it off again with white spirit before driving the car in case it doesn't completely evaporate.
To be clear, I'm not CONDONING spraying WD40 on discs... it's not necessary, but also not dangerous as long as it has either evaporated BEORE the car is driven, or has been wiped-off with white spirit. In retrospect, it was irresponsible of me to assume the WD40 would be fully evaporated over a 4-week period... my own personal experience with using WD40 (not on brakes!) suggests that it doesn't last long.
Bottom line, don't spray WD40 on discs... it COULD be dangerous and it's unnecessary.
Edited by ian_uk1975 on Tuesday 12th November 16:48
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