WD?40’s Multi?Use Classic Is Getting a Second Life in the US

You know WD?40 as the blue-and-yellow can in every garage. But new US tests and user hacks show this “multifunction spray” can do far more than quiet squeaks—if you avoid a few big mistakes.

Bottom line up front: If you think WD?40 is just a squeaky?hinge fix, you're leaving a lot of performance on the table. The company's flagship multi?use formula is quietly becoming a do?it?all problem solver for US DIYers, cyclists, mechanics, and renters who need one can to tackle dozens of annoying everyday issues.

From freeing seized bolts on an old truck to protecting your backyard tools from rust, the WD?40 Multi?Use Product (marketed in parts of Europe as a “Multifunktionsprodukt”) is having a moment again—fueled by fresh YouTube tests, TikTok hacks, and updated expert guidance on what it should (and shouldn't) be used for.

What users need to know now: it's still the same core formula, but the way people in the US are using it—and what pros recommend—has evolved.

Analysis: What's behind the hype

The core appeal of WD?40 hasn't changed in decades: it loosens, displaces moisture, protects metal, and stops light squeaks. What is changing is how US reviewers and creators are stress?testing it against modern alternatives—specialized bike lubes, ceramic greases, dry PTFE sprays, and high?end rust inhibitors.

Recent English?language reviews and side?by?side tests on YouTube and Reddit consistently land on a similar verdict: WD?40 is still a fantastic first?response product when something is stuck, damp, beginning to rust, or just grimy, but it's not a silver bullet lubricant for every moving part in your life.

Feature	What it actually does	Real?world US use cases
Water displacement	Drives moisture off metal surfaces, helping prevent short?term corrosion.	Drying wet ignition systems, hand tools left in the rain, lawnmower parts after washing.
Penetration	Creeps into tight spaces to help free lightly seized or rusted parts.	Loosening stuck screws, door hardware, hose fittings, small automotive fasteners.
Light lubrication	Provides a thin, temporary lubricating film.	Quieting squeaky hinges, drawer slides, tool adjustments—short to medium term.
Cleaning & residue removal	Helps dissolve grime, light adhesive, tape residue, and some marker/labels.	Removing sticker goo from glass/metal, cleaning hand tools, degunking garden shears.
Corrosion protection	Leaves a protective film that slows rust formation on exposed metal.	Protecting bike chains in a pinch, outdoor padlocks, trailer hitches, snow blower parts.

US availability and pricing

In the US, the WD?40 Multi?Use Product is everywhere: Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart, AutoZone, O'Reilly, Harbor Freight, Amazon, and local hardware stores. You'll find it in a variety of can sizes (typically from around 3 oz to 12 oz and larger shop cans) and in versions with the now?standard Smart Straw that flips up for precision spraying.

Across major US retailers, recent listings generally place the familiar 8–12 oz cans in the roughly $5–$9 range, depending on size, format, and whether you buy single cans or multi?packs. Exact prices fluctuate by retailer and region, so it's worth checking live listings when you buy.

That price point is a key reason the product is surging again among cost?conscious US renters and homeowners: one can often replaces multiple niche sprays for light?duty tasks, even if pros still reach for specialty lubes for high?load applications.

How US users are actually using it in 2026

A scan of US?based Reddit threads (especially in r/DIY, r/Tools, r/MechanicAdvice, and r/LifeHacks) and YouTube comments reveals clear themes in how people are leaning on the multi?use formula today:

• Quick fixes first, specialty later: Many use WD?40 to unstick or clean something, then follow up with a dedicated grease or lube once the issue is solved.
• Rust rescue: Users praise its ability to break through light rust on hand tools, garden implements, and small automotive hardware, especially when combined with a wire brush.
• Home & apartment maintenance: Squeaky interior doors, sticky locks, ceiling fan chains, stubborn window latches, sliding screen doors—these are classic wins in US apartments.
• Outdoor gear care: Backyard grills, trailer hitches, snow blowers, and lawn equipment are frequent US use cases, especially in coastal or snowy states where corrosion is a constant fight.
• Sticker & gunk removal: It pops up in countless US threads as a go?to for removing price tags and tape residue from glass and metal, as long as surfaces are then wiped clean.

What experts and influencers are warning against

Modern reviewers and mechanics are clear on one point: WD?40 is not a heavy?duty, long?term lubricant. In US cycling and automotive circles, you'll routinely see pros caution against using it as the only lube for high?load, high?speed components like drivetrain chains, wheel bearings, or suspension pivots.

Instead, experts often recommend using it as a cleaner and penetrant first, then applying the correct dedicated lubricant (e.g., bicycle chain lube, white lithium grease, silicone spray) for ongoing protection. That two?step approach is increasingly popular in US how?to videos.

Another common expert warning: avoid spraying it directly on brake rotors, pads, or friction surfaces, and be cautious around painted or delicate finishes until you test on an inconspicuous area. The formula is designed for metal first, not as a universal cleaner for every material in your home.

Why the "Multifunktionsprodukt" framing resonates

In German?speaking markets, WD?40 leans into the “Multifunktionsprodukt” branding—literally “multi?function product.” That same positioning is effectively how US consumers now talk about it online: a universal problem solver or “shop Swiss?Army knife” in a can.

Searches in English turn up thousands of “50 uses for WD?40”?style videos and blog posts, from frozen padlocks in Minnesota winters to rusty lawn tools in humid southern states. For US consumers overwhelmed by hyper?specialized sprays, the idea that one trusted product can handle the first 80% of everyday problems is a big part of the renewed buzz.

Realistic pros and cons for US buyers

• Pros
  • Extremely versatile: One can handles cleaning, light lubrication, moisture displacement, and basic rust defense.
  • Widely available in the US: Easy to buy in almost any hardware, auto, or big?box store.
  • Trusted track record: Decades of use in US homes, garages, and workshops with a massive knowledge base of user tips.
  • Great first?aid product: Ideal as the first thing you reach for when something is stuck, squeaky, or damp.
  • Good value: Affordable per can, especially compared with owning several niche sprays for light?duty tasks.
• Cons
  • Not a permanent lubricant: Needs follow?up with proper grease or specialty lube for high?load parts.
  • Can attract dust/grime: The light film may pick up dirt over time if you don't wipe off excess.
  • Overused in the wrong places: Some US users still spray it on everything—brakes, precision electronics—where it's not recommended.
  • Characteristic smell: Some find the odor strong in small indoor spaces without ventilation.

What the experts say (Verdict)

Across recent US reviews, mechanic channels, and DIY blogs, there's a strong consensus: you should absolutely own a can of WD?40 Multi?Use Product, but you should be clear about its job.

Experts from automotive and bike repair backgrounds increasingly describe it as a "first?line problem solver"—perfect for cleaning, freeing, and de?watering parts—while emphasizing that serious ongoing lubrication and corrosion protection are better handled by specialized products afterwards.

For everyday US users, that's not a drawback; it's a roadmap. Keep a can of WD?40 within arm's reach for stuck zippers, frozen locks, squeaky hinges, and the dozens of little metal annoyances in your home or garage. When you're done rescuing the part, reach for a proper grease, chain lube, silicone, or PTFE spray if the component is critical or under heavy load.

If you're looking for a single affordable product that can dramatically reduce frustration in a US apartment, house, or workshop, the WD?40 Multi?Use Product still earns its place on the shelf. Just treat it as your go?to fix?it opener, not the only tool in your lubrication toolbox.