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review

WD40 Specialist: High Performance PTFE Lubricant

7
£9.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Surprisingly capable spray that's stout enough for chains
Weight: 
400g
Contact: 
www.wd40.co.uk

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WD40 400ml High Performance PTFE Lubricant is precisely that, a beefed up dressing to tackle those awkward situations where grease is too stodgy but traditional water displacers are just too thin. The most surprising characteristic was its success as a spring/summer weight chain lube and makeshift preserve on thin walled steel framesets.

Aside from the usual cautions, there's little information on the back of the can, other than to say it incorporates PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) for reduced friction and therefore smooth running.

Don't be fooled into flooding control cables or derailleur springs with the stuff though, since this will only clog them. That said, a notable exception is exposed derailleur wires passing along old fashioned bottom bracket cable guides typically found on classic steel road/touring chassis and pulley systems designed to compensate for poor brake cable runs.

'Specialist' shouldn't be confused with 'cycling specific', and a little nous is needed when it comes to using this stuff around bikes and accessories. The most obvious candidates have been cleats/mechanisms, jockey wheels and some specialist trailer hitches. The corrosion inhibiting qualities will keep hub cones and plated fixings including crank, derailleur/brake mounts pristine.

Don't get carried away though - a judicious dribble's the limit here to avoid attracting dirt.

For these reasons, its lighter PTFE sibling (I'll be reviewing it soon) is the better option for bikes in seasonal storage and despite claims to the contrary, in my experience polymers can react badly to Teflon based products so try and avoid direct contact with seals, elastomers and similar bearing/suspension components.

It scores well as an alternative to cavity sealants inside thin walled steel tubing and works a treat inside expedition racks, tune up stands, trailer chassis etc.

Simply squirt down the seat tube and through the breathe holes, rotating for even penetration.

On a chain, it's easily on equal performance terms with Finish Line's 1 Step /content/review/23413-finish-line-1-step-cleaner-and-lubricant chain lube, application is more involved in the first instance to avoid the rear wheel wearing the lion's share. Clean the chain (and cassette where appropriate) of residual lube, allow a few minutes to dry and apply to each link, holding an old clean cloth beneath to catch over-spray.

In arid weather I've managed 180 road miles per application, falling to 120 in changeable conditions, although cleat mechanisms and other fixtures are still very sweet.

Verdict

Surprisingly capable spray that's stout enough for chains.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: WD40 Specialist: High Performance PTFE Lubricant

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

"Extends life of tools and equipment

Reduces friction and wear

Long lasting formula provides superior lubrication

Withstands temperatures of -20°C to +100°C

H2 Registered #145377

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS

Axles, Hydraulics, Hand & Power Tools, Cogs, Precision Tooling, Bushings, Conveyors, Sliding Tracks, Cranks, Wire Rope, Pulleys.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Shake Well. Apply by spraying directly on surface to be lubricated or protected.

PACKAGING SPECIFICATIONS

PRODUCT NUMBER

44396

HIGH PERFORMANCE SILICONE LUBRICANT

Cloudy, deep yellow liquid

pleasant lemon odour

0.75 - 0.78

Effective performance at temperatures from -20C to +100C

Not miscible with water". Don't be blinded by the science,its jut a very well formulated and versatile lube.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

TECHNICAL DATA

HIGH PERFORMANCE SILICONE LUBRICANT

Cloudy, deep yellow liquid

pleasant lemon odour

0.75 - 0.78

Effective performance at temperatures from -20�C to +100�C

Not miscible with water

H2

Classed as extremely flammable under current legislation

Safe to use on all metal and no-metal surfaces including glass, vinyl, rubber and plastic

Scar depth 0.38 mm

1000 lb

UNIT SIZE

400ml

H2

Classed as extremely flammable under current legislation

Safe to use on all metal and no-metal surfaces including glass, vinyl, rubber and plastic

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

The high performance PTFE spray is perfect for those applications where grease is just that little too stodgy but traditional maintenance sprays won't cut it. We've used ours to great effect on cleat mechanisms, as a makeshift frame preserve and commendable chain lube.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Tenacious and durable.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing but I'm a little cautious around seals and similar plastics despite assurances to the contrary.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 38  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

 

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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