WD40 on electric panel

[srah1953]

Is there any possibility that spraying WD40 on the back of the electric panel could give rise to an electrical short?
Thanks

 

[jimmcgee]

Is there any possibility that spraying WD40 on the back of the electric panel could give rise to an electrical short?
Thanks

I hope not "Larsen was attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion in nuclear missiles"

WD-40 stands for "Water Displacement – 40th Attempt". Larsen was attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion in nuclear missiles, by displacing the standing water that causes it. He claims he arrived at a successful formula on his 40th attempt.

 

[halcyon]

Is there any possibility that spraying WD40 on the back of the electric panel could give rise to an electrical short?
Thanks

Depending on switch panel material, the WD 40 can re-act with the plastic, causing the material to become brittle. Not heard of people getting a short from it though.


Brian

 

[DanTribe]

I once sprayed some on a pcb in a washing machine because I suspected a dodgy connection.
Phutt!, singed eyebrows and a call out to the repairman.

 

[Neil_Y]

A better solution to protect electrics/electronics is ACF-50, a more recent and more advanced water displacer.

 

[Conachair]

I once sprayed some on a pcb in a washing machine because I suspected a dodgy connection.
Phutt!, singed eyebrows and a call out to the repairman.

Better than easystart, easystart is too vicious, little bit of wd up the air intake can get the old lump woken up

 

[Seajet]

I know someone who played with radio controlled model aircraft a lot, and he was very cautious with WD40, saying he'd had it short things out.

He probably knew what he was talking about, as he now flies 1:1 scale with a few hundred passengers...don't know what he uses for a quick cure-all though !

 

[theoldsalt]

Further to Jimmcgee's posting.

I remember when WD40 was called "Rocket WD40"

 

[Stu Jackson]

Is there any possibility that spraying WD40 on the back of the electric panel could give rise to an electrical short?
Thanks

What's the reason for even considering this?

For electrical connections, the idea is to loosen them a bit first, then tighten and then use a water displacement. I use T9 Boeshield, although there have been some recent reports questioning its veracity.

 

[Seajet]

What's the reason for even considering this?

For electrical connections, the idea is to loosen them a bit first, then tighten and then use a water displacement. I use T9 Boeshield, although there have been some recent reports questioning its veracity.

Spiffing...but does it short things out ?!

 

[elton]

WD40 collects dust, which can cause a short on very high voltage equipment, such as ignition leads, but extremely improbable on 12V circuits. It would have to be collecting metalic dust particles in large quantities.

 

[pvb]

Better than easystart, easystart is too vicious, little bit of wd up the air intake can get the old lump woken up

I rather doubt it, unless you have a very old can! The propellant in WD40 is carbon dioxide these days - very unlikely to help start an engine.

 

[LittleShip]

I now use Corrosion block on almost everything on Little Ship, as far as I'm concerned its one can for everything product

Not cheap but I find much better than WD40. as of yet it hasnt shorted anything out and I now have a few converts to this .

Tom

PS No connection with the company.

 

[Csail]

Whats that stuff that a chap demonstrates at the shows.He sprays something on and submerges a lit light bulb in a fish tank.

 

[Neil_Y]

I believe that's ACF-50 from the same manufacturer as the corrosion block, at one show they spray a TV and drop it in water. As Tom said really great product, far better than WD.

 

[JimC]

I use silicon spray on electrics. I use it to saturate terminals and exposed wires. It's very effective in preventing corrosion, so much so that I now confidently use untinned cable. It penetrates around the individual copper strands and under the insulation such that you get none of the black oxidation commonly seen on untinned copper.

 

[dhobyb]

The problem with WD 40 is that it dispels water brilliantly but leaves behind a residue (thats why its a great lubricant, but the deposit attracts dirt and stuff, this is what causes the problems, I never allow WD 40 anywhere near electrical stuff.

 

[lenseman]

Is there any possibility that spraying WD40 on the back of the electric panel could give rise to an electrical short?
Thanks

I cannot think what purpose you would need to spray WD-40 on the back of a PCB? There is nothing to rust and most good circuit boards are usually lacquered after flow-soldering so any copper tracking cannot tarnish or corrode if maintained correctly. Clear nail varnish any specific points that need re-treating.

WD-40 is an expensive product which can be made very cheaply as it is basically white spirit plus an SAE 5 (sewing machine oil).

Purchase a hand-held 'leaf-sprayer' from any good garden centre and fill with white spirit and half a can of light 3 in 1 handy oil. You can then have many times the amount for pennies compared to one pressurised aerosol can of WD-40.

 

[Halo]

I have found that with WD40 you need to re- spray every year or so. It is sticky and a layer of mucky sticky stuff seems to form (probably Wd40 and dust) over time so when you need to do anything with the panel it gets everything filthy. If you need to spray I would sugest using some of the more modern stuff as others have suggested.
For protecting wiring I either use tinned wire or work vaseline into the ends of the flex. This seems to stop the wires going to black oxide in the salt atmosphere for many years.

 

[Muxey]

I belive you can mix white spirit and parrafin wax to do the same thing