WD-40

About WD-40: Over 70 Years of Trusted Maintenance Solutions

Few brands in the maintenance and repair world carry the instant recognition of WD-40. Born in 1953 at the Rocket Chemical Company in San Diego, the original formula was developed to protect missile components from corrosion — but it didn't stay in aerospace for long. WD-40 is now virtually a household name, used in numerous consumer and industrial markets such as automotive, manufacturing, sporting goods, aviation, hardware and home improvement, construction, and farming. That breadth of application is no accident: it reflects decades of purposeful product development and an unwavering focus on solving real-world maintenance problems.

From One Formula to a Full Product Ecosystem

The WD-40 substance is a petroleum-based lubricant, moisture retardant, and rust preventative. That deceptively simple description understates just how many jobs the formula can handle. WD-40 Multi-Use Product offers one formula with five core functions: it lubricates, penetrates, protects, removes, and displaces moisture. The iconic blue-and-yellow can — with its signature red straw — has logged an official list of more than 2,000 documented uses, ranging from freeing seized bolts to protecting power tools stored over winter.

The brand didn't stop there. WD-40 introduced the WD-40 Specialist line, a range of best-in-class specialty products geared toward trade professionals, with an initial lineup that included a Water Resistant Silicone Lubricant, Protective White Lithium Grease, and a Rust Release Penetrant Spray featuring Blu Torch™ Technology — a proprietary blend of synthetic additives. The Specialist line later expanded to include a Rust Remover Soak, Long-Term Corrosion Inhibitor, Dirt & Dust Resistant Dry Lube, Machine & Engine Degreaser, and Electrical Contact Cleaner Spray.

WD-40 Products for the Garage and Workshop

For automotive enthusiasts and professionals alike, WD-40 covers the most common and most stubborn maintenance challenges. The flagship Multi Purpose Lubricant is the go-to for squeaks, stuck components, and everyday corrosion protection. When rust has truly locked things down, the Penetrating Oil from the Specialist line brings targeted, fast-acting penetration power to frozen nuts, bolts, and threads. The WD-40 Specialist Penetrant is specifically designed to deal with rusted bolts, nuts, and threads that have seized in place.

Where rubber and vinyl surfaces are involved — window tracks, hoses, cables, and seals — Silicone Lubricants from the Specialist line shine. The WD-40 Specialist Water Resistant Silicone is perfect for waterproofing, lubricating, or protecting against rust, working safely on both metal and non-metal surfaces while drying clear without leaving stains or attracting dirt. For longer-term protection, WD-40's Rust and Corrosion Inhibitor products lay down a protective barrier that keeps moisture and oxidation at bay. WD-40 Specialist Corrosion Inhibitor is designed specifically to keep metal surfaces corrosion-free over extended periods. Rounding out the lineup, the brand's Specialty Cleaners tackle grease, grime, and residue that standard solvents leave behind, including dedicated electrical contact cleaners and industrial-strength degreasers.

Why Mechanics and DIYers Rely on WD-40

WD-40 is used in over 75 percent of American households and is ranked in the top three percent of all brands in consumer awareness. That trust comes from consistency — the core formula has remained reliably effective for more than seven decades, while the Specialist line has given professionals the targeted tools they need for more demanding jobs. Whether you're wrenching in a professional shop, tackling a weekend project, or maintaining equipment in the field, WD-40 has a product built for the task.