Why WD40?

Benner · Post by **Benner** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:51 pm

We have all used WD40 at some point in our lives, and I am still finding new uses for it as time goes on.

What I want to know is, does anyone know why it is called WD40? It's a bit of a random one I know, but I have always wondered this and the people that I have asked (I have to admit thats not many) have had no idea.

Someone out there must know

darrenwall · Post by **darrenwall** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:07 am

i been told wd40 stands for Water Displacement formula 40 , it was the companies 40th attempt to make it , i dunno if thats true or if im just gullable and will believe anything im told

lol

406 express · Post by **406 express** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:10 am

WD stands for water disperser and the 40 was for the 40th attempt, suppose if they were clever it would of been WD5 os 6!!!

Post by **Welly** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 9:14 am

I was reliably informed once that the 40 stood for ''40 hours'' as this is the service life if your average squirt of WD.

PJ · Post by PJ » Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:20 am

darrenwall wrote:i been told wd40 stands for Water Displacement formula 40 , it was the companies 40th attempt to make it , i dunno if thats true or if im just gullable and will believe anything im told lol

On the ball darrenwall.

From the WD40 site :-

1953 - On the 40th try, scientists at Rocket Chemical Company in San Diego perfect Water Displacement formula.
Hence, the name.

Other sources :- WD-40 literally stands for Water Displacement, 40th attempt. That's the name straight out of the lab book used by the chemist who developed WD-40 back in 1953. The chemist, Norm Larsen, was attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion -- a task which is done by displacing water. Norm's persistence paid off when he perfected the formula on his 40th try.

Doh !! I really must get out more

Post by **Welly** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:25 am

I wrote:I was reliably informed once that the 40 stood for ''40 hours'' as this is the service life if your average squirt of WD.

PJ wrote:all that stuff that sounds more like it

I'll get me coat

Benner · Post by **Benner** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:27 pm

Cheers for that!

I knew someone on here would know.

jameslxdt · Post by **jameslxdt** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 7:00 pm

it does actually say that on the tin

Benner · Post by **Benner** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 7:04 pm

jameslxdt wrote:it does actually say that on the tin

Well it doesn't on mine.

jameslxdt · Post by **jameslxdt** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 7:05 pm

maybe you've got some dodgy WD39

Benner · Post by **Benner** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 7:06 pm

jameslxdt wrote:maybe you've got some dodgy WD39

I only get the smaller cans though so maybe its not put on there.