WD40 multi-purpose is something that is in every handyman’s arsenal of tools. It has many uses and has proven itself as a trusted brand. This being said, can you spray WD40 in a light socket?
WD40 can be sprayed in a light socket, although, if the light socket is powered, spraying WD40 inside is discouraged. It is non -conductive in its liquid form but still combustible due to its aerosolized storage medium. WD40 Specialist Contact Cleaner is the ideal product to use on a light socket, as long as it is unpowered.
WD40 is known worldwide as a trusted household brand that is almost everywhere. From a mechanics workshop to a tailor shop. If you have never heard of this multi-functional water displacement solution or are just curious about its multiple uses and properties, read on to find out more.
What is WD40?
WD40 multi-purpose is an aerosolized water displacement solution that consists of a secret mix of lubricants, anti-corrosion agents, and ingredients that enable it to penetrate and remove soil. WD40 was created initially for the maintenance and rust protection of the Convair company’s Atlas missiles. Only later did the manufacturers was it found that WD40 had many household uses.
Today it is used for a myriad of things. However, cleaning live light sockets is not one of them. With water displacement properties, one can use WD40 to temporarily “waterproof” electrical conducting materials. Waterproofing is not its intended use, and it can be potentially hazardous if done incorrectly or irresponsibly.
What is WD40’s intended use?
WD40 multi-purpose lubricates and displaces non-soluble substances like dirt and grease from most mechanical and specific electrical devices. It is also frequently used to prevent rusting tools, hinges from squeaking, and dirt and dust building up in power tools’ motors. It is possible to use it on almost any solid carbon-based material without fear of degradation or chemical reaction.
You can use it in light sockets that have been in disuse to remove dust and dirt and possibly protect the metal contacts inside. In case of a stuck lightbulb inside the light fixture, spraying a little WD40 multi-purpose inside, with the power off, will help you to unscrew or remove the bulb from the socket.
Different kinds of WD40 products and their uses
WD40 comes in a variety of products. The most commonly used is the multi-purpose version as it is also, as per its use, the most frequently found. The WD40 company creates more specialized products for other specific services. Below we will discuss some of the other WD40 products and where and how they can be applied.
1.WD40 Specialist Penetrant is a variant of WD40, known for its penetrating and lubricating properties and especially useful on rusted metals. Industrial and mechanical workshops frequently use it to help loosen bolts, bearings, and nuts that have rusted and oxidized onto other metals. This product is specifically designed to help break through rust and corrosion.
2.WD40 Specialist Gel Lube is a specialist lubrication gel that is long-lasting and functions in extreme temperatures. Especially handy in mechanical applications as the gel does not get displaced by movement, making it non-fling. The gel also lubricates for up to a year, protects against rust, and displaces dirt and dust. This lube is a mechanics dream, as it can function in temperatures from -100°F to 500°F or -73°C to 260°C.
3. WD40 Specialist Silicone is a silicone-based lubricant used popularly to waterproof metal and plastic surfaces. It dries quickly and will protect the covered area from dirt, corrosion, and heat. It is ideal for rubber, plastic, and vinyl as it leaves a transparent film when applied that does not stain or stick when touched afterward.
4. WD40 Specialist Heavy-duty Grease is precisly as the name implies. Often used marine operations for its water resistance and protection against rust and corrosion. It is engineered for heavy-duty and high-speed applications, making this heavy-duty grease any farmer, engineer, or workman’s first choice to maintain construction and farm equipment. WD40 Specialist heavy-duty grease has been formulated specifically with calcium sulfonate technology, which means you can interchange it with most other lubricants without contaminating it.
5. WD40 Specialist Contact Cleaner is the right product to clean light sockets, as it is even safe to use on printed circuit boards. It removes oil, dirt, dust, and flux while drying quickly and leaving no residue. Although WD40 Specialist Contact Cleaner is safe to use on most plastics, some variants are not supported. The WD40 company recommends that you test this product on the specific plastic you would like to apply it on before using it. If used on electrical equipment such as panels, switches, battery terminals, or precision instruments, ensure no power current runs through them to avoid combustion.
6. WD40 Specialist Cleaner and Degreaser is a heavy-duty industrial cleaner ideal for general cleaning in workshops, factories, and commercial food processing facilities. It is water-based, non-flammable, and contains a unique bio-solvent that makes it safe for sensitive surfaces. It also contains corrosion inhibitors making it an excellent choice to clean car parts and tools.
Where and how not to use WD40
Even though WD40 multi-purpose is suitable for a thousand and one things, there are some objects, machines, or mechanisms that you should avoid using in conjunction with WD40 multi-purpose. We will list some of the places or mechanisms where you should not use WD40 multi-purpose.
- Musical instruments should also not be used with WD40 multi-purpose. This one seems like a no-brainer. However, people out there have tried fixing or cleaning clarinets, tubas, or saxophones with WD40 multi-purpose. For the simple reason that these types of instruments come in contact with your mouth, it is already an excellent reason not to try this. Wind instruments, especially those made from brass, should not be used in conjunction with WD40 multi-purpose in any shape or form. The moisture and proteins in your saliva will negate any effects WD40 multi-purpose had in the first place.
- Lately, the Rubix cube has become popular again, and there are even some serious competitions out there to see who can solve it the quickest. Part of what makes WD40 multi-purpose a good lubricant is that it contains a petroleum-based thinner in small quantities. When this solvent comes in contact with certain plastics, you end up with a melted Rubix cube, as one of these competitive cubers found out the hard way. Thus do not use WD40 multi-purpose on your Rubix cube unless you would like a new paperweight.
- Paintball is a fun and competitive activity. Cleaning paintball guns, however, is not. As you can guess, WD40 multi-purpose dissolves the thin layer of plastic surrounding the paintballs, leaving you with a paint-filled gun. So if you own a paintball gun and you would like to clean it, opt not to use WD40 multi-purpose, but rather an antilnt towel, q-tips, a squeegee, and some elbow grease.
Alternative uses for WD40
We have discussed the many many uses of WD40 multi-purpose. However, there are quite a few unconventional uses that might surprise you. Below we will list some of the more creative uses for WD40 multi-purpose.
- General stain remover. Yes, that’s right, you can use WD40 multi-purpose to remove crayon marks from wallpaper, old cellophane tape from a wall or metal surface, and believe it or not, in a pinch, you can use WD40 multi-purpose to remove pen ink, tomato, and juice stains. However, you should still wash your clothes with normal detergent afterward, if only for the sake of the smell.
- WD40 multi-purpose will also clean and remove bugs from the bumper and grill of your vehicle. And because of its lubricating effects, you can remove those pesky tar stains from your car’s paint job without damaging the paint. Apply WD40 multi-purpose, and gently wipe it off with a sponge or cloth.
- This one is an exception to one of our earlier rules. You can use WD40 multi-purpose to prolong the life of your guitar strings. Normally guitar strings have a limited life span due to a multitude of factors. One that stands out is usually rust and corrosion from the oils your fingers produce while playing. Applying WD40 multi-purpose to them and allowing them to dry will leave them coated with a layer that will protect the strings from your fingers and the oils they secrete. It may also help you perform a little better.
Final Thoughts
WD40 multi-purpose is, as the name states, very useful in our everyday life. But remember, just because it works on many things does not mean it works on everything. If you want to spray WD40 into light sockets, make sure you are using the correct product, namely WD40 Specialist Contact Cleaner, and the power is off.
