Lubricant/ Degreasing sprays

kirk.

What's the difference between all the sprays and their uses in laymans terms ?

Wd40

AC-90

PTFE

Dry PTFE

Silicone spray

The Continental Op

Don't know what AC-90 is but I use the others in various forms. Firstly WD40 doesn't have any Silicone in it (although some people say it does) its the only "oil" on the list although the WD is thought to refer to its properties Water Dispersant. WD 40 has can be used as a cleaner and a penetrating oil. PTFE is a strange one my understanding is that while it lubricates its supposed to keep oil off the surface but because of its own lubricating properties means you can tighten bolts much more than if its wasn't used (this can be a problem in plumbing as it allows amateurs to over tighten fittings). I've also used it as a lubricant on the moving pasts on printers where in the past I might have used graphite. PTFE isn't sticky like an oil or grease so dust doesn't stick to it reducing lubrication, locks would be another place to use it over WD 40. Silicone would be like PTFE accept I'd use PTFE primarily on metal and Silicone on plastics and rubber. I use silicone spray on the rubber seals of Wavin pipe fittings. WD40 is supposed to have a bad effect on rubber long term so Silicone is the better lubricant in that case.

whizbang

I only ever use wd40 to clean hardened and dirty old grease. Maybe sometimes in assembly of outdoor metal stuff.

10-10-20

Good explainer from TheContinentalOp.

As far as I know WD-40 is mainly volitile so vaporises over time but leaves a residue of heavier oils, that's why it's not recommended for lubricating locks as it jams the mechanisms. But for freeing up locks as a penetrating lubricant, it's the mutt's-nuts.

kirk.

Ya it was a good explainer

It seems ptfe on metal and silicone on rubber /plastics