Fun and Help with WD-40
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Can't see the 'ShareThis' icon? Reload your page view by pressing Shift and clicking Refresh at the same time.So the other day on the show, as a listener mentioned the lubricating product WD-40, I wondered aloud "what do the W and D mean?"
As usual, it didn't take very long for one of our listeners to explain that it means "water displacement".
Searching for a rust prevention solvent and degreaser, chemists at a rocket chemical company found a formulation on their 40th try, hence WD-40. The product, used in missile lubrication, was commercialized in the late 1950s.
What's most interesting about WD-40 is the number of ways that folks use it.
In our house, it's usually used to loosen rusted nuts/bolts and to lubricate squeaky hinges. But, how limited a life we live it seems.
Without attempting, endorsing or guaranteeing the effectiveness of these uses, here is a mere list of things that people have used WD-40 for:
- Cleaning stove tops, fridges, glass and plastic shower doors, roof racks -- rubberized and metal and cleaning bug guts, tar and road gunk from cars.
- Protects silver from tarnishing and gives floors a shine without being slippery (yeah, right!). Even keeps flies off cows.
- Try WD-40 on chalkboards, stubborn zippers, guitar strings, BBQ grills, stainless steel sinks and appliances, plastic, leather, and to keep the fog off bathroom mirrors.
- Removes lipstick, tomato stains and chewing gum from clothes.
- (Like a magical hand from above) WD-40 even apparently untangles jewellery chains. It also helps slide rings from fingers and keeps pottery from oxidizing.
- It also camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
- For lubrication purposes, just consider: scissors, hinges in home and car, swings, levers, window/door tracks, rocking chairs, umbrellas, fans, belts, wheel sprockets, hell -- all moving parts.
- Keeps rust from forming on saws and other tools.
- Removes all traces of duct tape (why am I not surprised that duct tape would come up in a discussion on WD 40).
- Treats fire ant bites ...
- And -- warning here for potential wildlife law violations -- WD-40 is said to attract fish. The advice goes to spray a LITTLE on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Bear in mind that some jurisdictions outlaw chemical-laced baits and lures.
Who'd have thunk -- so many ways to uncomplicate our lives, all from the same can of WD-40! And, if you're interested in learning even more wacky uses, check out this site:
http://www.wackyuses.com/wd40.html
Have a great weekend!
Comments
wd40
I'm surprized the name "Red Green" wasn't mentioned in this piece. In light of copyright infringement, credit must be given where credit is due, LOL :)
Speaking of copyright:
Speaking of copyright: according to one article I read, the new Bill C-61 will make bypassing a DRM laced CD to put on your iPod carry a larger penalty than actually going into an HMV and stealing a CD.
I don't see how this a "win-win approach" for consumers and creators, as Mr. Prentice states. As a consumer, I am certainly not winning by risking a $20,000 fine to put a movie I own on my iPod. Even the creators seem to be speaking out against this bill. The band Broken Social Scene has already condemned the bill. Neither creator or user seems to "win." The only real winner I can see are the record companies, who will now have an open door to sue Canadians.
With artists (and even the Canadian Library Association) speaking out against it, I certainly know which way I would vote for this bill - if us democratic citizens ever got a chance to in such matters.
Maybe I am wrong and incredibly biased, but I just don't like to see us emulating the United States in this manner. This bill may be "made in Canada", but I would not be surprised to see the mass litigation that occurred States happen here.
Toolbox
I have only two items in my tool box. WD-40 and duct tape. If something that's supposed to move but doesn't... WD-40. If something is not supposed to move but does... duct tape.
Tommy
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