10 WD-40 Hacks for Around the Garage
Most people reach for WD-40 to stop a squeaky hinge or loosen a stubborn bolt. But this garage staple can do a lot more than that.
From detailing to cleanup, here are some non-traditional ways to use WD-40 that’ll make your life easier and your workspace cleaner.
1. Remove Stubborn Tar and Road Grime
Spray a little WD-40 on lower panels, rocker arms, or behind the wheels to break down tar, sap, or sticky residue before a wash. It loosens the grime without harsh scrubbing.
2. Restore Faded Plastic Trim
A quick mist on faded exterior plastics brings back a dark, even finish. Wipe gently with a microfiber towel to avoid streaks. It’s not a permanent solution, but it’s a great quick fix for photos or test drives.
3. Clean Scuff Marks Off Paint
Light scuffs from shoes or bumping against panels? WD-40 can soften and lift the mark. Just spray it on a towel, rub gently, and follow up with your favorite quick detailer.
4. Keep Your Tools Rust-Free
Mist your ratchets, wrenches, or even your floor jack pistons to prevent rust from forming—especially if your garage gets humid. WD-40 forms a thin barrier that protects metal from oxidation.
5. Free Up Sticky Door Seals
Cold weather can make rubber door seals stick to the car body. Spraying a small amount of WD-40 on a rag and wiping the seals lightly helps prevent sticking and tearing.
6. Remove Old Adhesive or Decal Residue
Whether it’s leftover badge adhesive or tape from a temporary plate, WD-40 softens the glue so it wipes away cleanly without damaging clear coat.
7. Prevent Bugs from Sticking to Your Bumper
A thin layer on the front bumper or mirror caps before a highway drive can make bug removal easier later. Bugs won’t stick as firmly, and you’ll spend less time scrubbing.
8. Clean and Shine Chrome or Metal Trim
Spray it on a soft cloth and wipe over chrome exhaust tips, metal badges, or door handles. It leaves a clean, glossy finish and protects against fingerprints.
9. Quiet Down Squeaky Shop Stools or Rolling Carts
If your rolling stool or creeper is starting to squeak, a quick spritz on the wheels or joints brings back that smooth glide.
10. Protect Outdoor Detailing Gear
Spray the hinges and metal parts of pressure washers, foam cannons, or hose reels to protect them from corrosion after a rinse-down session.
⚠️ Pro Tip
Always apply WD-40 to a towel first, not directly on car paint, glass, or interiors. Use it as a maintenance hack, not a substitute for proper detailing products.
The Different WD-40 Types
There are a lot of different types of WD-40 on the market these days. Find out below what each one does so you can get the right one for your project.
1. WD-40 - Original Multi-Use
What it is:
The classic formula that made WD-40 famous. It’s a water-displacing spray that lubricates, protects, cleans, and loosens stuck parts.
Best uses:
- Loosening bolts, nuts, or hinges
- Removing tar, sap, or adhesive residue from car paint
- Restoring faded plastic trim (short-term shine)
- Displacing moisture from tools and electrical components
- Preventing rust on wrenches, sockets, and detailing sprayers
Detailing Tip: Spray it on a microfiber towel first, not directly on paint, to remove light scuffs or stubborn grime.
WD-40 - Original Multi-Use
- Drives out moisture and quickly dries out electrical systems to eliminate moisture-induced short circuits
- Acts as a corrosion inhibitor to shield against moisture and other corrosive elements to prevent rust
- Frees sticky mechanisms, loosens rust-to-metal bonds and helps release stuck, frozen or rusted metal parts
- Removes grease, grime, gunk, gum, tar, sap, super glue, sticker residue, and other sticky stuff from multiple surfaces
- Lubricates moving parts such as hinges, wheels, pulleys, rollers, chains, and gears
2. WD-40 - Specialist - Silicone
What it is:
A silicone-based lubricant that dries fast and leaves a clear, non-staining film that lasts longer than the normal formula.
Best uses:
- Lubricating rubber door seals to prevent sticking or freezing
- Protecting weather stripping and sunroof channels
- Restoring shine to plastic and vinyl surfaces
- Lubricating window tracks, seat rails, and shop drawer slides
Detailing Tip: Perfect for maintaining rubber seals after washing or during winter prep.
WD-40 - Specialist - Silicone
- 7.9k+ Reviews / 4.5 Stars
- Form a clear protective film that doesn't attract dirt
- Provides up to 5x greater wear protection than the competition
- Lubricates at least 2x longer than the competition
- Lubricates, waterproofs and protects metal and non-metal surfaces
- Protects Against Rust
3. WD-40 - Specialist - White Lithium Grease
What it is:
A thicker, long-lasting grease that stays in place even under pressure or moisture.
Best uses:
- Garage door hinges, lift mechanisms, and latches
- Suspension joints or heavy metal contacts
- Hood latches or trunk hinges that squeak under load
Detailing Tip: Great for mechanical parts that move frequently—just avoid using it near paint or interiors.
WD-40 - Specialist - White Lithium Grease
- 14.8k+ Reviews / 4.5 Stars
- Ideal for metal-to-metal applications that require heavy-duty lubrication and protection against rust and corrosion
- Sprays on evenly as a liquid and sets dry with a thick, protective coating that won't run off. Safe from 0° F to 300° F for unbeatable protection
- Perfect for auto hinges, gears, sprockets, latches, door tracks, pulleys, cables, and more
- Excellent for lubricating equipment before placing in storage, and is 50-state VOC compliant
4. WD-40 - Specialist - Penetrant
What it is:
A fast-acting penetrant designed to break through rust and corrosion faster than the regular formula.
Best uses:
- Freeing stuck bolts, nuts, and seized parts
- Prepping old or corroded parts before polishing or repainting
- Loosening rusted clamps, exhaust bolts, or old trim screws
Detailing Tip: Use it during restorations or disassembly, especially on older vehicles or engine bay hardware.
WD-40 - Specialist - Penetrant
- 16.2k+ Reviews / 4.5 Stars
- Fast-acting formula breaks rust and corrosion that jam up parts and leaves behind a protective layer that prevents future corrosion
- If it's stuck, WD-40 Specialist Penetrant can help - nuts, bolts, threads, locks, chains, and more
- Target the smallest crevices between threads or cover large areas as easily with the Smart Straw sprays 2 ways: Regular or Precise, Wide or Narrow, Broad or Targeted
5. WD-40 - Specialist - Dry Lube (with PTFE)
What it is:
A dry lubricant that uses PTFE (Teflon) to reduce friction without leaving oily residue.
Best uses:
- Door locks, window tracks, and power seat rails
- Tools and equipment that collect dust
- Anything that needs a clean, non-greasy feel
Detailing Tip: Perfect for inside shop tools, polishers, or moving parts on your detailing cart that you don’t want attracting dirt.
WD-40 - Specialist - Dry Lube
- Dry Lube PTFE Spray reduces friction and wear on blades and bits, door and window tracks, slides, conveyor belts, rollers, hinges, power tools, and equipment
- Ideal for reducing friction and wear on multiple surfaces. It won t attract dirt or dust, and is safe for temperatures from -50° F to 500° F
- Safe to use on wood, paper, fabrics, leather, metal, and most plastics (except clear polycarbonate and polystyrene).50-state VOC compliant
- Keep your equipment running smooth with long-lasting corrosion protection
6. WD-40 - Precision Pen
What it is:
The WD-40® Precision Pen is the portable, pocked sized solution for maintenance, auto, construction and skilled trades, DIY projects, and everyday fixes at home or on the job. The non-aerosol format keeps lubricant from getting on the parts that don’t need it.
Best uses:
- Restoring old detailing tools or sockets in hard to reach places
- Cleaning corroded metal parts or bolts where the normal cans can't spray
- Preventing rust in those hard to reach engine bay places
Detailing Tip: Always keep this on hand for when you need it with a super portable pen.
WD-40 - Precision Pen
- 1.4k+ Reviews / 4.5 Stars
- The chisel-shaped, fibrous tip allows for precise application of Original WD-40 Formula exactly where it's needed. The non-aerosol format keeps lubricant from getting on the parts that don’t need it.
- Great for keeping on-hand, in your pocket, glove box, or tool belt for quick fixes anywhere you go
7. WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner
What it is:
A fast-drying cleaner for sensitive electrical systems.
Best uses:
- Cleaning electrical connectors in polishing tools, pressure washers, or lighting
- Restoring battery terminals or engine sensors
- Safe for plastics and circuit boards
Detailing Tip: Perfect for cleaning switch panels, polishers, or interior buttons without residue.
WD-40 - Specialist - Contact Cleaner
- 16.3k+ Reviews / 4.5 Stars
- ideal for removing oil, dirt, flux residue, and condensation from sensitive electrical equipment.
- Blast away oil, dirt, flux residue and condensation from sensitive electronics and electrical equipment with pinpoint precision.
- It's ideal for use on printed circuit boards, controls, switches, precision instruments and electric panels
8. WD-40 - Bike Line - Degreaser, Chain Lube & Cleaner
What it is:
A line specifically for bicycles, but it’s excellent for other precision applications.
Best uses:
- Chain cleaner, degreaser, and dry/wet lubes
- Works on small moving parts like detail brushes, air tools, or polishing arms
WD-40 - Bike Line
- All-Conditions Chain Lube - The Fast and Easy to Use Formula Helps Prevent Squeaks and Extends the Life of Your Chain
- Contains Corrosion Inhibitors for Long-term Optimal Chain Performance - The No-wax Formula Will Not Build up Inside Chain Links and Drivetrain.
- WD-40 BIKE Chain Cleaner & Degreaser’s Foaming Action Clings to Bike Surfaces to Deeply Penetrate and Quickly Remove Stubborn Grease and Grime from Bike Chains and the Rest of the Drivetrain
- This Cleaner is Safe for all Bike Finishes and Components, as it Does not Contain Citrus, Which can Damage Varnish and Paint.
WD-40 - Specialist - Bike Cleaner
- 418 Reviews / 4.5 Stars
- Safe and easy-to-use. This biodegradable cleaner is powerful enough to help remove embedded grease and grime that can cause component wear or damage, and surface scratching
- This bike cleaner is safe for all bike surfaces, including carbon fiber, titanium, chrome, steel, aluminum, and rubber, and plastic components. Keep your bike looking just as good as the day you bought it
- Extensive testing at the hands of internal and 3rd party scientists, bicycle retailers, and professional mechanics.
WD-40 Comparison Table
| WD-40 Type | Main Function | Best Uses in the Garage | Detailing Applications | Finish / Residue | Pro Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specialist – Contact Cleaner | Cleans electrical components and removes residue safely | Cleans battery terminals, tool connectors, switches, and circuit boards | Cleans polisher switches, pressure washer plugs, and electrical connectors | No residue, fast drying | Spray lightly and allow to dry completely before reconnecting power |
| Specialist – Dry Lube (PTFE) | Provides clean, friction-free lubrication | Window tracks, seat rails, locks, and tool slides | Prevents squeaks without attracting dust or dirt | Dry, clean feel | Ideal for interior moving parts that should stay grease-free |
| Specialist – Penetrant | Loosens stuck and rusted parts | Frees bolts, clamps, and corroded fittings | Loosens seized trim bolts or emblems during restoration | Light oily film | Let it soak for 5–10 minutes before breaking parts loose |
| Specialist – White Lithium Grease | Heavy-duty lubrication that stays in place | Garage door hinges, hood latches, suspension joints | Keeps hood and trunk hinges smooth and quiet | Thick white grease | Avoid near paint or glass; it’s designed for metal-on-metal contact |
| Specialist – Silicone | Lubricates and protects non-metal parts | Weather stripping, seals, plastic drawers, and cables | Restores and protects door seals, sunroof gaskets, and trim | Clear, non-staining | Apply to a towel first to prevent overspray on glass |
| Regular Multi-Use (Original) | Cleans, protects, and displaces water | Rust prevention, tool protection, stuck bolts, and general cleanup | Removes tar, sap, or adhesive; adds short-term gloss to faded trim | Slight oily film | Spray on microfiber towel before applying to car paint or trim |
| Specialist – Bike (All Types) | Lubricates and cleans bicycle components | Chain maintenance, small tool lubrication | Precision lubrication for polishers, air tools, or rotary heads | Light residue depending on version | Use Bike Cleaner or Degreaser formulas for sensitive mechanical parts |
Bottom Line:
In closing, WD-40 isn’t just the blue-and-yellow can we all grew up with—it’s a full lineup built for specific jobs. Whether you’re loosening bolts, cleaning tools, protecting metal surfaces, or maintaining precision equipment, there’s a version made to handle it.
Choosing the right WD-40 for the task saves time, protects your gear, and keeps your workspace running smoothly.
- Original WD-40 = all-purpose cleaner, protector, and moisture displacer.
- Specialist Line = targeted, professional solutions that last longer and handle specific garage and detailing challenges.