Can I Use Wd40 To Clean Chainsaw? (Explained)

YES. If you need a quick clean and you’re without a chainsaw cleaner, then you can definitely use WD-40. It contains an anti-corrosion agent with ingredients for water displacement, penetration, and soil removal.

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Chainsaw is used more often, so its maintenance is the deciding factor.

But It is vulnerable to unwanted debris that leads it to rust. So, clean it after every use.

Mind it that cleaning it with random fluid might further deteriorate it.

So, you have found out that your chainsaw is clogged with dirt plant remnants, sap, and resin that, if not cleaned, it will cause it to rust and inhibit the functionality of the Chainsaw.

But you don’t have a chainsaw cleaner and may look for that, “Can I use WD-40 to clean the Chainsaw?”

Then the answer is YES.

If you need a quick fix and you’re without a chainsaw cleaner, then you can definitely use WD-40.

 What is WD40 Degreaser?

WD-40 is an American brand and the trademark of a versatile penetrating oil manufactured by the WD-40 Company, based in San Diego, California. The name WD-40 stands for Water Displacement, 40th formula, indicating its original purpose as a water displacement product. However, it has since evolved into a multi-use product with various applications.

The main uses of WD-40 include:

• Protecting metal from rust and corrosion: WD-40 can be applied to metal surfaces to create a protective barrier against rust and corrosion.
• Penetrating stuck parts: The oil’s penetrating properties help loosen and free up stuck or seized parts, making it useful for maintenance and repair tasks.
• Displacing moisture: WD-40 can be used to drive out moisture from electrical systems, helping to eliminate moisture-induced short circuits.
• Lubricating: The product’s lubricating properties make it suitable for various applications, such as lubricating hinges, locks, and other moving parts.

The exact composition of WD-40 is a closely guarded secret, but gas chromatography and mass spectrometry tests have shown that its principal components are C9 to C14 alkanes and mineral oil. WD-40 is available in various forms, including aerosol sprays with a smart straw for precise application.

It contains an anti-corrosion agent with ingredients for water displacement, penetration, and soil removal.

It is the most widely used degreaser. But the question is, can it be used to clean chainsaws?

Can WD40 Be Used to Clean Chainsaw?

Upside of WD40

To avoid friction and rust, lubricate the chain with WD40.

Apart from this, it does not allow the formation of future contaminants that are vulnerable after every use.

That reduces the wear and tear of the chain.

Lastly, it is durable and stays on the chain to allow a smooth use of a chainsaw and avoid overheating.

Downside of WD40

 Just like any other lubricant, WD40 also has downsides.

Some users recommend using it only when the chain starts soaking water, to blow away, and then put some renowned lube.

It shouldn’t be lube until there is a lump of dirt or, it will cause adverse effects.

While the other says that to avoid spraying it with other lube or cracks will start appearing in the chain.

Secondly, never spray it around the seal of the bearing, which can remove grease and leave it to dry.

Alternative of WD40

 Make a lube- ten parts of paint thinner having a low odour, and four portions of Bar oil.

Or go for the biodegradable and nontoxic degreaser together with the use of a brush to remove heavy dirt.

How to use WD-40 to Clean Chainsaw?

WD-40 is the go-to product, for displacing moisture, preventing rust, and shields the metal surface against corrosive elements, and loosening the rust to metal bond.

This is a multi-purpose formula with smart straw that provides thousands of uses.

The smart nozzle allows you to reach into narrow spaces for thorough coverage on various locations.

This cleaner can be used on any unpainted metal. Now “How to clean Chainsaw?”

Here is a step-by-step guide to clean chainsaw

Before you clean the chainsaw, make sure that there is no power running in the tool. If you are working with Electric Chainsaw – you need to detach any power source.

• Cordless (Battery) Chainsaw – must remove the battery.
• Gas Chainsaw – Disconnect the spark plug and drain all fluids (gas and bar oil).

Place Chainsaw at a stable place and kind of flat surface.

How Can We Maintain Chainsaws?

Cleaning a chainsaw is a long and tedious process.

What would be the cost if we came to know that our method just ruined it.

To avoid that situation, we should have proper knowledge of what we clean chainsaws.

In other words, we need to have answers to the following questions.

Use Water To Clean Chainsaw?

Do not wash the part of the chain covered with oil in water.

Go for a brake cleaner as it effectively eliminates the dust with oil away.

Secondly, water promotes the rusting process in different parts of the chainsaw.

And if chainsaws parts are not allowed to dry properly, it might be impossible to take them out once fitted.

For a slightly dirty bar, use soap and water to clean the chainsaw.

But if it is heavily stained, then degreaser solvent would be a better choice to clean away the gunk.

And to clean the guide bar, either use a groove tool or a putty knife. 

Final Thought

 We begin with the problem in the cleaning of chainsaws and introduce the WD40 together with its pros and cons.

WD40 has lots of potential benefits and down effects to the same extent.

So It is recommended to use it only when there is heavy dirt or when the chain is under continuous use for an uncertain period without any maintenance. 

So for those who are curious and asking that “Can I Use WD-40 to Clean the Chainsaw?”

May this article satisfy your curiosity.

WD-40 is a fast-acting chainsaw cleaner that breaks away the stubborn contaminants.

So, if you are ran out of chainsaw cleaners you can use WD-40 to clean it and to ensure that it runs smoothly and safely.