Can you use WD40 on your bike chain? No, not really. While WD40 can help loosen rusty parts or clean off some grime, it is not the right stuff for keeping your bike chain running smoothly. Using it on your chain can actually cause problems in the long run. It’s better to use products made just for bike chains.
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Deciphering WD-40: What It Really Is
Many people have a can of WD-40. It’s a very common spray. People use it for many things. It helps stop squeaks. It helps loosen bolts. It pushes water away. The letters “WD” stand for “Water Displacement.” This tells you one main job of WD-40. It is good at moving water away from metal. This helps stop rust.
But what is inside WD-40? It is a mix of things. It has oils, but it’s not just oil. A big part of it is a solvent. A solvent is a liquid that can dissolve other things, like grease and dirt. It also has propellants. These are gases that push the liquid out of the can.
So, WD-40 is a bit like a cleaner and a water pusher. It gets into tight spots. It can make things move for a short time. But it is not made to stay on parts and keep them slippery for a long time, like a proper lubricant does. Its main strength is getting water away and freeing stuck things. It is not built for the high stress and constant rubbing that a bike chain deals with.
Why WD40 is Bad for Bike Chains
Using WD-40 on your bike chain might seem like a quick fix. It might make a noisy chain quiet for a moment. But it causes more problems than it solves. Here are the main reasons why you should not use it on your bike chain.
It Cleans Away Good Stuff
A bike chain needs special oil or grease. This oil gets inside the chain links. It coats the small parts that move against each other. This coating is important. It stops the metal from rubbing hard. It makes the chain last longer. It helps the chain work well.
WD-40 has solvents. Solvents are like cleaners. When you spray WD-40 on a chain, the solvent part gets in everywhere. It washes away the good oil that was there before. This leaves the inside of the chain links dry. Dry metal rubbing on dry metal is bad. It wears down the chain fast. Think of it like washing away all the needed oil from a machine.
It Doesn’t Stay Long
WD-40 is thin. It evaporates. This means it dries up or goes away quickly. Even the oil part of WD-40 is not thick or sticky enough for a chain. It runs off easily. It does not stay where the rubbing happens.
A bike chain needs a lube that stays on the moving parts. It needs to stick there even when the chain is moving fast. WD-40 just doesn’t do this job well. It is gone too soon. This leaves your chain unprotected again very quickly.
It Pulls In Dirt
This is a big problem. WD-40 is thin when you spray it. But it can leave a sticky film after the solvents go away. This film is like a magnet for dirt, dust, and grit.
Your bike chain is close to the ground. It picks up dirt easily. If your chain has a sticky layer from WD-40, all that dirt sticks to it. This dirt mixes with the thin oil left behind. It makes a grinding paste.
This grinding paste gets inside the chain links. It acts like sandpaper. It grinds down the metal parts inside the chain. This makes the chain wear out much faster. It also makes the chain noisy. It makes it work badly. A dirty chain wears down other parts too, like the gears.
It Isn’t a Real Chain Lubricant
WD-40 is a penetrating oil and water repellent. It is not a dedicated bike chain lubricant. Bike chain lubes are made just for chains. They are thicker. They stick better. They have special stuff in them. This stuff helps the lube get inside the links. It helps it stay there. It helps it handle pressure. It helps it work in different weather.
WD-40 does not have these special qualities. It doesn’t protect the chain from wear under pedaling force. It doesn’t handle water or dirt well in the way bike lubes do. It’s just not the right tool for this job. Using it is like using water to grease a car engine. It just doesn’t work right.
Is WD40 a Degreaser or Lubricant for Bikes?
This is a common point of confusion. People see WD-40 making things slide better for a moment, so they think it’s a lubricant. They also see it washing away grease, so they think it’s a degreaser. For bikes, it acts a bit like both in ways that are not helpful for a chain.
It is not a good lubricant for a bike chain. A good lubricant reduces friction over time under load. WD-40 provides very little long-lasting lubrication.
It can act like a mild degreaser because of its solvents. It can loosen up some grease and dirt. But it is not a strong enough degreaser for a really dirty chain. And, importantly, it leaves behind a thin, bad oil film. A proper bike degreaser cleans the chain fully and then you wash it all away. WD-40 cleans a bit but leaves a residue that attracts new dirt.
So, for bikes, it’s best to say WD-40 is neither a proper degreaser nor a proper lubricant for the chain. It’s something else that causes problems when used for these purposes.
Effects of Using WD40 on Bicycle Chain
Let’s look closer at what happens when you put WD-40 on your chain again and again.
Fast Chain Wear
As mentioned, WD-40 washes away good lube. It attracts dirt. The dirt turns into a grinding paste. This paste grinds down the pins and rollers inside the chain links. These are the parts that move against each other. When they wear down, the chain gets longer. This is called chain stretch, even though the metal links don’t actually stretch. The chain just gets loose because the pins and rollers are smaller.
A stretched chain works badly with your gears. It can skip teeth on the cogs. It wears out your gears much faster than a good chain would. Replacing gears and chains is much more expensive than buying proper chain lube.
Poor Shifting
A dirty, worn chain does not bend and move smoothly. Shifting gears requires the chain to move from one cog to another cleanly. If the chain is stiff and dirty, it will shift slowly, noisily, or not at all. It might get stuck between gears. This makes riding less fun and can be unsafe.
Noise
A dry chain is a noisy chain. It makes a squeaking or grinding sound as you pedal. WD-40 might stop the squeak for a very short time. But because it attracts dirt and doesn’t lubricate well, the noise will come back quickly. Often, the grinding from the dirt is worse than the original squeak.
Damage to Other Parts
A worn chain damages your cogs (the teeth on the rear gears) and chainrings (the teeth on the front gears). A stretched chain sits wrongly on the teeth. It eats away at them. If you use a worn chain for too long, you will need to replace your cogs and chainrings too. These parts cost more money than a chain. Using WD-40 is a false saving that leads to bigger repair bills later.
Attracts More Dirt to the Bike
The sticky residue left by WD-40 doesn’t just stay on the chain. It can get on your bike frame. It attracts dirt there too. This makes your bike look dirty and harder to clean. While this is not as bad as chain wear, it’s another negative effect.
WD40 vs Dedicated Bike Lube
Comparing WD-40 to a proper bike chain lube is like comparing water to special machine oil. They are both liquids, but they do totally different jobs.
| Feature | WD-40 | Dedicated Bike Chain Lube |
|---|---|---|
| Main Purpose | Water displacement, penetrant | Lubrication, reducing friction, protection |
| Viscosity (Thickness) | Very low (thin) | Varies (thin for dry, thicker for wet) |
| Durability on Chain | Low (evaporates, runs off) | High (designed to stick and last) |
| Dirt Attraction | High (leaves sticky residue) | Low (formulated to repel dirt) |
| Penetration | Good (gets into tight spots) | Good (designed to get inside links) |
| Lubrication Quality | Low (short-term, not under load) | High (provides lasting slickness) |
| Protection | Some rust prevention (water disp.) | Protects from wear, rust, contaminants |
| Cost | Generally low | A bit higher, but lasts longer |
Proper bike lubes are made for specific riding conditions too. There are lubes for dry, dusty weather. These lubes are often called “dry lubes.” They go on wet but dry to a waxy or ceramic film. This film does not attract much dirt. There are lubes for wet, muddy conditions. These are often called “wet lubes.” They are thicker and stickier. They stay on the chain even when it’s raining. They repel water better.
WD-40 is not made for any of these conditions. It’s a general-purpose spray. It cannot handle the specific needs of a bike chain in different environments.
Can I Use WD40 as a Temporary Bike Chain Lube?
Maybe your chain is squeaking loudly on a ride. You have no proper lube with you. You see a can of WD-40 nearby. Is it okay to use just a little bit for a moment?
Yes, in a true emergency, a tiny amount might silence a squeak to get you home. But you must know the risks. It will wash away any good lube left. It will start attracting dirt right away.
Think of it like putting a paper patch on a tire puncture. It might hold a tiny bit of air for a minute, but it’s not a real fix. It will fail quickly. And in the case of WD-40, the quick fix makes the later problem worse (chain wear from dirt).
If you use WD-40 even as a temporary fix, plan to clean your chain properly as soon as possible. Then apply a proper bike chain lube. Do not leave the WD-40 on the chain. It will harm it over time.
So, while technically you can spray it on, it’s almost never a good idea. It’s better to ride home slowly with a squeaky chain and fix it right later. Or, better yet, carry a small bottle of actual chain lube with you on rides.
How to Properly Clean and Lube Bike Chain
Taking care of your chain keeps your bike running well. It makes parts last longer. It gives you smoother shifts. It’s not hard, but it needs the right steps and the right products.
Here is a good way to clean and lube your chain:
Step 1: Cleaning the Chain
You need to clean the old, dirty lube off the chain. This dirt is what causes wear.
- Get the Right Stuff: You need a degreaser made for bikes. Do not use harsh chemicals like gasoline. Bike degreasers are safe for your bike’s parts. They are strong enough to cut through old lube and dirt.
- Choose Your Method:
- On the Bike: You can clean the chain while it’s still on the bike.
- Get a chain cleaning tool. This tool clips onto the chain. You put degreaser inside it. You pedal backwards while holding the tool. Brushes inside the tool scrub the chain. This is usually the easiest way.
- Or, you can use a brush and a rag. Put degreaser on the brush. Hold the rag under the chain to catch drips. Brush the chain all around. Pedal backwards slowly. Keep brushing until the chain looks clean.
- Off the Bike: You can take the chain off the bike. This lets you clean it very well.
- You need a chain quick link (sometimes called a master link) to take the chain off easily. Not all chains have one.
- If you take the chain off, put it in a jar or container. Pour in some degreaser. Close the lid. Shake it hard. Let it sit for a few minutes. Shake it again. This will get a lot of dirt out.
- On the Bike: You can clean the chain while it’s still on the bike.
- Rinse the Degreaser: This is very important. You must wash all the degreaser off the chain. If you cleaned it on the bike, spray it with water. Keep pedaling backwards. Make sure the water runs clear. If you took the chain off, rinse it under running water. Get all the degreaser off. Degreaser left on the chain will keep working on your new lube.
- Dry the Chain: Get the chain as dry as possible. Water left inside the links will cause rust. It also stops the new lube from sticking.
- Use a clean rag. Wrap it around the chain. Pedal backwards fast. Do this several times.
- You can let it air dry for some time if you have the time.
- Some people use low-pressure compressed air, but this can push dirt further in if not careful. A rag dry is usually enough.
Step 2: Lubricating the Chain
Once the chain is clean and dry, it’s time to add fresh lube.
- Get the Right Lube: Use a bike chain lube that matches your riding conditions (dry lube for dry weather, wet lube for wet weather).
- Apply the Lube:
- Hold the nozzle of the lube bottle over the top of the chain.
- Pedal backwards slowly with one hand.
- With the other hand, let drops of lube fall onto the top of each roller link. Put just one drop per link. You don’t need to flood the chain. The lube needs to get inside the rollers and pins.
- Go all the way around the chain one full time.
- Let It Sink In: After putting lube on every link, let the chain sit for 5-10 minutes. This gives the lube time to work its way inside the links. This is where the lubrication is needed most.
- Wipe Off Extra Lube: This is just as important as putting lube on. Any lube left on the outside of the chain will attract dirt. This cancels out the cleaning you just did.
- Use a clean, dry rag.
- Wrap the rag around the chain firmly.
- Pedal backwards several times through the rag.
- Keep wiping until no more black or excess lube comes off. The outside of the chain should look almost dry. All the important lube is inside the links.
Doing these steps regularly will keep your chain happy and make it last a long time.
Recommended Bike Chain Degreaser
You need a good degreaser to get the old muck off your chain. Here are types and things to look for:
- Bike-Specific Degreasers: These are made for bikes. They won’t harm your paint or other bike parts. They come in sprays or liquids.
- Examples: Muc-Off Drivetrain Cleaner, Finish Line Citrus Degreaser, Park Tool Chain Brite.
- Biodegradable Options: Many good bike degreasers are kind to the environment. Look for this on the bottle.
- Citrus-Based Degreasers: These often smell nice and work well. They break down grease effectively.
- Avoid: Harsh industrial degreasers, solvents not made for bikes (like paint thinner), high-pressure washers (they can force water into bearings).
When using degreaser, follow the product’s instructions. Use it in a place with good air flow.
Alternatives to WD40 for Bike Chain Lubrication
Since WD-40 is not the answer, what should you use? There are many good options. They fall into different types:
Dry Lubes
- What they are: These often contain PTFE (Teflon) or ceramic particles mixed with a liquid carrier. The liquid helps it get into the chain links, then it evaporates. It leaves behind a dry, waxy or powdery film.
- When to use: Best for dry, dusty conditions. They do not attract much dirt.
- Pros: Keep chain cleaner, good for dry climates, reduce grime buildup.
- Cons: Wash off easily in wet conditions, may need to apply more often than wet lubes.
Wet Lubes
- What they are: These are thicker, oil-based lubes. They stay liquid on the chain.
- When to use: Best for wet, muddy, or harsh conditions. They repel water well.
- Pros: Last a long time, work well in rain and mud, provide good protection against rust.
- Cons: Attract more dirt than dry lubes, can make the chain look black and dirty faster.
All-Conditions Lubes
- What they are: These try to be a mix of dry and wet lubes. They aim to work okay in most weather.
- When to use: If your weather changes a lot, or if you only want one bottle of lube.
- Pros: Versatile, decent performance in many conditions.
- Cons: May not be the absolute best in extreme wet or dry compared to specialized lubes.
Wax-Based Lubes
- What they are: These are liquids with wax in them. The liquid helps the wax get inside. The liquid evaporates, leaving wax inside and outside the chain. Some advanced methods involve melting wax and dipping the chain in it.
- When to use: Can be great for dry conditions, some work okay in light wetness. Dipped wax chains are very clean and long-lasting but take more effort.
- Pros: Very clean, reduce wear well, often quiet.
- Cons: Can be more effort to apply (especially hot wax), some types wear off quickly.
The best lube for you depends on where and how you ride. If you ride mostly in dry places, use a dry lube. If you ride in the rain a lot, use a wet lube.
Best Bike Chain Lubricant Recommendations
Naming the single “best” lube is hard. What works best depends on your riding and climate. But here are some popular and well-regarded options in different categories. These are just examples, there are many other good brands too.
Popular Dry Lubes
- Finish Line Dry Lube (with Teflon): A classic choice. Goes on wet, dries to a waxy film. Good in dry, dusty places. Needs reapplying often, especially if there’s any moisture.
- Muc-Off Dry Lube: Similar to Finish Line Dry. Good for keeping the chain clean in dry weather.
- White Lightning Clean Ride: A wax-based lube that sheds dirt. Can flake off, but keeps the chain very clean.
Popular Wet Lubes
- Finish Line Wet Lube: Thicker oil that stays on. Very durable in wet conditions. Attracts dirt but keeps the chain protected.
- Muc-Off Wet Lube: Good water repellency and lasts a long time in bad weather.
- Pedro’s Syn Lube: A synthetic wet lube known for being durable and reducing friction well.
Popular All-Conditions Lubes
- RockShox 150wt Suspension Fluid (as chain lube): Not sold as bike lube, but many mechanics use this thick synthetic oil as a very durable, all-conditions chain lube. Use sparingly and wipe well.
- Squirt Chain Lube: A popular wax-based emulsion. Applied wet, dries to a wax coating. Many riders find it very clean and long-lasting in mixed conditions. Requires starting with a super clean chain.
Other Noteworthy Options
- Molten Speed Wax: For serious riders who want the cleanest, fastest chain. Involves melting wax and dipping a perfectly clean chain. High effort to start, but future relubes are easier. Results in a very clean, durable, and efficient chain.
- Ceramic Lubes: Some brands offer lubes with ceramic particles (e.g., Finish Line Ceramic Lubes). These claim to offer very low friction and good durability.
Read reviews and ask local bike shops what works well in your area. The key is to use a lube made for bikes and to apply it correctly after cleaning.
Bike Chain Maintenance Tips
Taking care of your chain is part of taking care of your bike. Here are some extra tips:
- Lube Often: Don’t wait until your chain is squeaking. Check it often. How often depends on how much you ride and the conditions.
- Dry, clean riding: Every 150-200 miles or after a few long rides.
- Wet, dirty riding: After almost every ride.
- Always lube after cleaning the chain.
- Always lube after riding in the rain, even if you used a wet lube. Rain washes lube away and can cause rust.
- Wipe After Every Ride: Even if you don’t lube, use a clean rag to wipe down your chain after every ride. This removes surface dirt before it gets ground into the lube and inside the links. This simple step makes a big difference.
- Clean Before Lube: Never put new lube on a dirty chain. Lube does not push dirt out. It just mixes with the dirt and makes that grinding paste we talked about. Always clean first, then lube.
- Check for Wear: Chains wear out. A worn chain damages your gears. You can buy a simple chain checker tool. It tells you when your chain is worn out and needs replacing. Replacing a chain is cheap. Replacing gears is expensive. Check your chain wear every few months, or more often if you ride a lot or in bad conditions.
- Replace Worn Chains: When the chain checker says the chain is worn, replace it right away. Do not try to get a few more miles out of it. It is eating your gears.
- Lubricate New Chains: New chains come with a grease-like coating from the factory. This coating is good for storage but is usually too sticky for riding. It attracts dirt fast. It’s best to clean a new chain with degreaser (even taking it off and soaking it) and then apply your preferred bike lube before riding.
Following these simple steps will save you money and make your bike work better for longer. Forget WD-40. Use the right products.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use car oil on my bike chain?
A: No, car oil is not ideal. It’s too thick for a bike chain. It doesn’t get inside the links easily. It attracts a lot of dirt. Use lube made for bike chains.
Q: What happens if I don’t clean my chain before lubing?
A: You mix the new lube with old dirt. This creates a grinding paste. This paste makes your chain wear out much faster. Always clean a dirty chain before adding new lube.
Q: How often should I lube my bike chain?
A: It depends on riding conditions. In dry weather, maybe every 150-200 miles. In wet or muddy conditions, maybe after every ride. Check your chain often. If it looks dry, sounds noisy, or feels rough, it needs cleaning and lubing.
Q: Can I use WD-40 to clean other parts of my bike?
A: WD-40 can be okay for freeing up rusty bolts or cleaning light grime off the frame (wipe off completely afterwards). But don’t spray it near bearings (like in your wheels, pedals, or bottom bracket). The solvent can get into the bearings and wash away their grease, causing damage. Always use bike-specific cleaners and lubes for parts that move or have bearings.
Q: Is WD-40 good for stopping rust on my bike?
A: WD-40 can help displace water and has some rust prevention qualities because it leaves a thin film. However, dedicated bike protectants or frame protectant sprays do a better job of preventing rust on the frame and other parts, and they don’t leave a sticky residue that attracts dirt like WD-40 can. For a chain, preventing wear with proper lube is more important than just preventing rust on the surface, which WD-40 doesn’t do well inside the links anyway.
Q: My chain is squeaking. Can I just spray WD-40 to stop the noise quickly?
A: You can, and it might stop the noise for a very short time. But you should not. It washes away needed lube and attracts dirt, making the problem worse very quickly. It’s better to ride with a noisy chain and clean/lube it correctly later.
Q: What is the main difference between a wet lube and a dry lube?
A: Wet lubes are thicker and stay liquid, better for rain and mud but attract more dirt. Dry lubes go on wet but dry to a cleaner film, better for dry, dusty conditions but wash off easily.
Q: Does a new bike chain need to be cleaned and lubed?
A: Yes, generally. New chains come with a grease applied at the factory. This is good for storage but too sticky for riding as it attracts dirt fast. It is best practice to clean this factory grease off completely using degreaser and apply your chosen bike-specific chain lube before the first ride.
Conclusion
The answer to “Can I use WD40 on my bike chain?” is clear. While WD-40 is a useful product for many things, it is not designed for bike chains. It acts more like a cleaner that washes away important lubrication. It attracts dirt, which grinds down the metal parts of the chain. This makes the chain wear out fast. It also damages your bike’s gears.
Using proper bike chain degreasers and lubricants is key to good bike maintenance. Cleaning your chain regularly and applying the right lube will make your chain last longer. It will make your shifting smoother. It will save you money on replacing parts.
Forget the myth that WD-40 is okay for bike chains. The reality is it harms them. Use products made for the job. Your bike will thank you.