Kobus Cilliers | On 10, Apr 2019

Darrell Mann

All hail the mighty WD-40. If there is ever going to be a 41st Principle, WD-40 will very likely point the way. Or it might actually be Principle 41. Meanwhile, it is already all of the 40 we currently know. Kind of. That’s how it got its name. Kind of.

1.  Segmentation

Remove chewing gum from hair

2.  Taking Out/Separate

Lipstick-on-collar remover

3.  Local Quality

Ahem…

4.  Asymmetry

Waterproof shoes (but still allow them to breathe)

5.  Merging

WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a LITTLE on live bait or lures (like the emphasis on little!)

6.  Universality

Hey, it does everything, dummy. Read the rest of the list…

7.  ‘Nested Doll’

Secret stash-can safe

8.  Counterweight

Fly repellent (especially for cows, apparently)

9.  Prior Counter-Action

Lighting the barbeque

10.  Prior Action

Spray on wood to prevent splinters

11.  Prior Cushioning

Wipe onto glass and mirrors to prevent fogging

12.  Remove Tension

Relieve arthritis and tendonitis pain (not much clinical evidence on this one, but plenty of anecdotal)

13.  ‘The Other Way Round’

Separate stuck glassware (‘make fixed things movable’)

14.  Curvature

Ring-remover (phew, thought I was going to struggle with Principle 14!)

15.  Dynamics

Loosen stuck zipper

16.  Slightly Less/Slightly More

The slightly less effective younger brother

17.  Another Dimension

Jewelry (here’s Christmas sorted…)

18.  Vibration

(modesty prevents me from explaining this one in too much detail. Thankfully, a picture speaks a thousand words sometimes…)

19.  Periodic Action

Soften leather (‘Spray a baseball glove with WD-40, put a baseball in the palm, and fold the glove sideways. Take a rubber band or belt and tie it around the folded glove. The WD-40 will help soften the leather and help it form around the baseball. Keep the glove tied up overnight, and then wear it for a while, flexing the glove so it will begin to fit the shape of your hand.’)

20.  Continuity of Useful Action

Deter wasps from making nests (spray into nooks and crannies)

21.  Hurrying

Keep pesky squirrels off bird-feeder by creating no-friction surface

22.  ‘Blessing in Disguise’

Refreshing party drink (I love Poland!)

23.  Feedback

Aftershave… let’s your loved ones know what a ‘go to’ guy you are

24.  Intermediary

Spray onto shovel to prevent snow/dirt from sticking

25.  Self-Service

Remove car paintwork scratches

26.  Copying

Fancy dress – go as the most versatile person in the room

27.  Cheap/Short Living

Substitute parent

28.  Mechanics Substitution/Fields

Eliminate static on volume and tuning control knobs

29.  Fluidity

Improve guitar playing prowess (I wish!)

30.  Thin & Flexible

Untangle jewelry

31.  Porous Materials

Spray onto air filters to improve dust collection efficiency

32.  Colour Changes

De-tarnish silver

33.  Homogeneity

34.  Discarding and Recovering

Clean dried glue (‘Simply spray WD-40 onto the spot, wait at least 30 seconds, and wipe clean with a damp cloth’)

35.  Parameter Changes

Turns into wine to then solve all emotional problems 🙂

36.  Phase Transitions

Prevent car doors freezing shut in cold weather (by spraying on to rubber seals)

37.  Relative Change

Free rusted locks

38.  Enriched Atmosphere

Re-inflate tyres (totally safe(ish)):

39.  Calmed Atmosphere

Spray onto oven burns or any other type of burn. It takes the burned feeling away and heals with NO scarring. Ditto ant bites. Apparently.

40.  Composite Structures

Mix with polymeric glue to make slime