WHAT DOES "WD" in WD-40 REPRESENT?

I believe I have heard that the "WD" stands for "water displacement". Have you tried just googling the name?

 

WD-40 literally stands for Water Displacement, 40th attempt. That's the name straight out of the lab book used by the chemist who developed WD-40 back in 1953. The chemist, Norm Larsen, was attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion -- a task which is done by displacing water. Norm's persistence paid off when he perfected the formula on his 40th try.

The marketing people rejected 'Norm Spray,' btw.

 

It means Water Displacement, 40th attempt. Basicly Larsen tried to perfect the formula to stop corrosion (which is done by water displacement). He failed many times but his persistence paid off and he got it on the 40th try.
Edit: haha so many replies so fast.

 

Water Displacement. It was the 40th formula created.


"WD-40 literally stands for Water Displacement, 40th attempt. That's the name straight out of the lab book used by the chemist who developed WD-40 back in 1953. The chemist, Norm Larsen, was attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion -- a task which is done by displacing water. Norm's persistence paid off when he perfected the formula on his 40th try. "

 

no we just know how to use a search engine. ;")

 

Not a higher intellect, just more common sense.

 

Does this factor in one's height?

 

Or Higher education?

 

Speaking of common sense (or lack thereof)... I sprayed some WD-40 into my steering wheel column to stop a squeak, but my turn signals now don't work. And I am not 100% sure if the signals stopped working immediately after this or not. Any chance that WD-40 could have caused this, getting into the column mounted electrical connections?

 

They're all wrong. That's a myth.

It means:

Wet/Dry 40 Seconds.

Terrible aftertaste, though.








*snicker*

 

I believe the stuff is non-conductive, but I don't know....so let's find out.
In the first pic, I have created a small reservoir of WD-40 on the back side of an old duplex trim plate. Note that even with the probe ends of the tester within 1/16th inch of each other, the 'continuity' light at the top of the tester is 'off'.
In the second pic, I have to touch the probe ends to obtain continuity.
Thus, we establish that WD-40 is non-conductive, albeit, not very scientifically!
Therefore, it is unlikely that WD caused problems in the steering column.
Hillbilly science...!
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Inconclusive. If you entirely soak yourself in WD-40, and stand out in the middle of an electrical storm, get hit by lightening and survive, I'm not sure that proves anything, but it would be interesting...

 

It would prove how stupid I was!
However, based on a personal 'life review' (conducted non-scientifically) I do not think that further evidence of my stupidity is necessary at this point.

 

Awesome!!!

 

Water doesn't conduct electricity, but it does short circuits. Maybe WD-40 did the same.

 

Ferrari or Houston's race team uses WD-40 in great quantities on race car engines when the weather is wet - including the ignitions and electrics. Then again, I'd use it sparingly as WD-40 burns very nicely.

rick / '79 308GTB

 

pure H2O on it's own is not conductive, it is the minerals and salts that are. pure H2O is distilled water, i.e. the minerals and salts are removed.

 

Whart, you must be the tallest guy on F-Chat.


Ha

 

At least 7'!