WD-40, Silicone Spray, Contact Cleaner or Brake Cleaner: Which Can for Which Job
Use WD-40 to free seized bolts, keep rust off bare metal and dry out damp electrics; use a silicone spray such as Akfix A80 to stop squeaks on hinges, slides and springs, to protect rubber seals and as a mould release; use a contact cleaner such as Akfix A60 on switches, relays and circuit boards; and use a brake cleaner such as Akfix A110 on discs, pads and clutches, where nothing may be left behind. They are not interchangeable. WD-40 Company says in its own words that WD-40 is not a degreaser and not a contact cleaner, and not for brakes or other parts that need friction to work.
Is WD-40 a lubricant?
Yes, among other things. WD-40 Company publishes five functions for WD-40 Multi-Use Product: it lubricates, it penetrates rust-to-metal bonds and frees seized parts, it protects metal against corrosion, it removes dirt, grease and grime, and it displaces moisture to dry out electrical systems. It is a thin liquid (2.5 cSt at 40 °C), up to 70% volatile by weight, and contains no silicone.
Job to can: the counter chart
| Job | Use | Do not use |
|---|---|---|
| Seized bolts, rusted padlocks and fittings | WD-40 | A60 (a cleaner, not a penetrant) |
| Keeping rust off tools and bare steel in storage | WD-40 | A110 (evaporates and leaves no residue) |
| Damp electrical systems, battery terminals (power off) | WD-40 | Any spray while the power is on |
| Squeaky interior hinges, slides and springs | A80 silicone | A110 brake cleaner |
| Rubber door and window seals | A80 silicone | WD-40 (some rubbers swell on prolonged immersion) |
| Mould release in plastic, rubber or textile production | A80 silicone | WD-40 (not published for this) |
| Switchgear, breakers, relays, plugs, PCBs | A60 contact cleaner | WD-40 (not a contact cleaner) |
| Brake discs, pads, drums, calipers, clutch plates | A110 brake and clutch cleaner | WD-40, A80 or any lubricant |
| Oily engine bay, motorcycle or machine | A115 engine cleaner | WD-40 (not a degreaser) |
| Stains on hobs, ovens, sinks, tiles and baths | CLEAN+ cream | CLEAN+ itself on suede, nubuck or near food |
What each can does, in the maker's words
WD-40 Multi-Use Product
For seized bolts, locks, chains, battery terminals, spark plugs, sliding windows and gates, and farm tools. WD-40 publishes 0% rust after 72 hours of ASTM B117 salt spray on freshly sanded mild steel. It is non-conductive, yet WD-40 still says to disconnect the power before spraying. It can stain paintwork, so test first.
Akfix A80 Silicone Lubricant
Akfix A80 is a silicone-based mould release agent that also lubricates to reduce friction and stop squeaks in mechanical parts. Akfix publish that it repels water and protects and renews rubber. Listed uses include interior hinges, slides and springs, wiper linkages and release work in plastic, rubber and textile production. Remove dirt and grease first, bring the can to room temperature and spray a thin, even layer from 20 to 25 cm.
Akfix A60 Electrical Contact Cleaner
Akfix A60 cleans flux traces, light oils, fingerprints and other contaminants from contacts. Akfix list switches, relays, breakers, terminals, plugs, alarm panels and printed circuits. It is non-conductive and non-corrosive; test on sensitive plastics first. Disconnect the power, wait for stored charge to discharge, spray from 25 to 30 cm, and switch on only once it has fully evaporated.
Akfix A110 Brake and Clutch Cleaner
Akfix A110 removes leaked brake fluid, grease, oil and brake dust from linings, pads, discs, drums, calipers, shoes and clutch discs. Akfix say it evaporates quickly, leaves no residue and reduces disc squeal and clutch chatter. It can be used without dismantling. Do not spray it onto extremely hot brakes or clutches.
Akfix A115 Engine Cleaner
Akfix A115 is made for engine oil, grease and stubborn dirt on car engines, motorcycles and machines. Akfix state it contains no silicone and does not damage rubber, plastic or painted surfaces. Never spray it on a hot or running engine.
Akfix CLEAN+ Cream Cleaner
Akfix CLEAN+ is not an aerosol: it is a solvent-free cream in a 500 g tub for stubborn stains on hobs, ovens, pans, barbecues, sinks, trainers, bathroom tiles and baths. Akfix say not to use it on suede or nubuck, on skin, or in contact with food.
Never do this
- WD-40 or silicone spray on brakes or clutches. WD-40 Company says not to use it on brakes or other parts that need friction to work. As general guidance, the same applies to any lubricant, including A80. If a lubricant reaches a disc or pad, clean it off with A110 before the vehicle moves.
- Silicone spray where paint, sealant or adhesive will follow. As general guidance, silicone films are hard to remove and can stop paint and adhesives from bonding. Keep A80 away from surfaces you plan to coat or glue, and clean them first. For bonding, see adhesive, silicone or foam.
- Spraying an energised circuit. Both WD-40 Company and Akfix say to disconnect the power first. With A60, wait until it has fully evaporated before switching back on.
- WD-40 as a degreaser or contact cleaner. In WD-40's own words it is neither: it lifts grime but leaves a light oily protective film.
Prices: single can or carton
WD-40 is sold by the full carton only. Current prices:
| Product | Size | Single | Carton | Per can in a carton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WD-40 Multi-Use Product | 150 ml | Carton only | KSh 4,400 (8) | KSh 550 |
| WD-40 Multi-Use Product | 350 ml | Carton only | KSh 31,200 (24) | KSh 1,300 |
| Akfix A80 Silicone Lubricant | 400 ml | KSh 800 | KSh 9,000 (12) | KSh 750 |
| Akfix A60 Contact Cleaner | 400 ml | KSh 800 | KSh 9,000 (12) | KSh 750 |
| Akfix A110 Brake and Clutch Cleaner | 500 ml | KSh 800 | KSh 9,000 (12) | KSh 750 |
| Akfix A115 Engine Cleaner | 500 ml | KSh 750 | KSh 8,400 (12) | KSh 700 |
| Akfix CLEAN+ Cream Cleaner | 500 g tub | KSh 700 | KSh 15,600 (24) | KSh 650 |
Storing aerosols
WD-40 is classified H222, extremely flammable aerosol, and H229, pressurised container that may burst if heated. WD-40 Company says to keep it below 50 °C and out of sunlight, and to use it only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Akfix's data sheets for A80, A110 and A115 also say to keep the cans away from temperatures above 50 °C and from direct sunlight, and the A80 and A110 sheets add never to pierce or burn them, even after use. A60 is best stored between 8 °C and 28 °C.
Where to buy
All six are in our maintenance and lubricants collection, with the Akfix data sheets attached to their product pages. Collect from our Nairobi trade counter at Royal Business Park, opposite Complast, Old Mombasa Road, Monday to Saturday, 8:00 to 17:30, with free pickup, or order for countrywide delivery at a flat KSh 350, free on orders over KSh 15,000. Workshops, fleet yards and hotels buying by the carton can request a trade quote on our trade page. For a quick check on the right can, message us on WhatsApp.
Common questions
Can I use WD-40 on electrical contacts?
WD-40 displaces moisture and is non-conductive, and WD-40 Company publishes it for drying out damp electrical systems and for battery terminals, with the power off. But WD-40 Company states it is not a contact cleaner. To clean switches, relays and circuit boards, use A60, which evaporates quickly; switch back on only once it has fully evaporated.
Can brake cleaner be used as a general degreaser?
Akfix publish A110 for brake and clutch parts. For oily engines and machines, A115 is the product Akfix make for that job, and it states it does not damage rubber, plastic or paint.
What is the WD-40 price in Kenya?
We sell WD-40 by the carton: KSh 4,400 for 8 cans of 150 ml, or KSh 31,200 for 24 cans of 350 ml.