A can of WD-40 can be found in nearly every household. It’s a great product to have on hand, and it’s good for a lot of things – preventing rust, quieting a squeaky door, cleaning scuff marks, etc. – but lubricating your garage door is not one of them.
Here’s why you shouldn’t use WD-40 to lubricate garage door parts and a couple of alternatives you can use instead.
Why doesn’t classic WD-40 work ongarage doors?
For starters, the spray isn’t actually a lubricant.
WD stands for “water displacement,” and WD-40 is made of a special mix ofingredients designed to push water out of the way so you can clean metal that hascome into contact with moisture.
Unfortunately, those water-displacing properties can be pretty harmful to nylonand rubber components which are very common in garage doors.
What can you use instead WD-40?
You’ll generally want to use a lithium-based or silicone-based lubricant.
Lithium-based lubricants are often used on machine parts, but they aren’t great for plastic components as they can sometimes cause them towear down faster. However, they can withstand large temperature fluctuations, repel water, and help prevent corrosion, so they’re a solidchoice for many garage doors.
Silicone-based lubricants are made by mixing silicone oil with a thickening agent. They’re a little less resistant to high temperatures thanlithium-based lubricants, but they’re more water-resistant, work well on every surface, and won’t damage any plastic or rubber garage doorcomponents.
We recommend lubricating garage door components at least once or twice per year (or more if you live in a coastal area with lots of salt orany location that experiences extremely hot or cold temperatures).
Can you use classic WD-40on the garage door chain?
You may think it’s okay to use WD-40 to lubricate garage door chains since they’re typically made out of sturdy metal. However, it’s better to be safe than sorry and instead use lithium-basedgrease.
WD-40 is runnier and more likely to drip where it shouldn’t – and,while it keeps metal clean, it won’t keep it properly lubricated.
Generally, it’s never a good idea to use WD-40 on any garage doorcomponents (chains included) because it can actually remove thelubrication over time and attract more dirt.
Call the Pros for Help
Some garage door components (like springs and cables) are very dangerous, have specific lubrication requirements, and should only be maintained by trained professionals. The easiest and safest way to maintain your garage door is by getting a tune-up at least once per year.
Professional Precision technicians will inspect your door for safety issues, perform a balance test, and make sure your garage door parts are properly lubricated.
