You can , but it will ruin them ! WD40 rots rubber, as do all petroleum based products, use silicone spray to preserve weather seal, rubber hoses and such.
prevent drying and cracking. Actually wd 40 is bad for rubber anything. destroys rubber seals.
As mentioned above, and unlike lithium grease, silicone lubricant is the perfect lubricant for rubber surfaces, but it is also extremely versatile, so it can be used on most other materials, including metal, plastic, wood, and even painted materials.
As most O-rings and seals are made of synthetic elastomeric polymers, i.e., “rubber” material such as nitrile, EPDM, and Neoprene, they are the best lubricants for them derived from synthetic compounds. At the top of the list is silicone-based and ester-based lubricants.
Safe to use on wood, paper, fabrics, leather, metal, rubber and most plastics (except clear polycarbonate and polystyrene).
There are many different types of plastic, but there are two kinds that you should avoid using WD-40 on—polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic. Polycarbonate is a transparent plastic that is commonly used in greenhouses, and polystyrene is typically used for styrofoam and soft drink lids among other items.
WD40 is a popular multi-purpose product that can be used for a variety of tasks, including waterproofing leather shoes and boots. The product works by creating a barrier on the surface of the shoe or boot that repels water.
As such, the shelf life is considered to be 5 years from the date of production; however, product will often dispense and perform as expected for considerably longer. WD-40® should be stored between 4 degrees centigrade and 54 degrees centigrade, and always shaken before use.
WD-40 is very good at removing silicone sealant but just make sure to completely remove it from the surface before applying any new silicone sealant as they can react.
Synthetic oil: Synthetic oils, such as polyalphaolefin (PAO) or ester-based oils, can also be used to lubricate rubber suspension bushings. These oils are known for their excellent lubrication properties and resistance to high temperatures and heavy loads.
By far the most suitable lubrication solution for rubber is a carefully formulated emulsion of oil and water emulsion. This is because it can overpower rubber's low surface energy. Effectively, this means that emulsion-style lubricant can completely coat the surface of rubber without any beading.
For smaller, lightly weathered rubber seals, a simpler method is sometimes just as effective; boil some water in the saucepan, add a small amount of soap, and submerge the seal. Every 5 minutes or so, remove the seal using tongs and test its flexibility and condition.
WD-40 actually stands for Water Displacement, 40th formula. Chemist Norm Larsen who developed WD-40 wanted to create a formula to prevent corrosion and perfected his creation after 40 tries. That's why using WD-40 on wood stops it from splintering and metal from corroding.
Protects against rust and corrosion on items like tools. Loosens rusted/stuck plumbing joints. Loosens rusted bolts. Lubricates and protects power tools.
Check out our favourite uses for WD-40®…
Shines and remove fingerprints from stainless steel appliances. Lubricates squeaky drawers, doors, and small rolling toys. Keeps your garden tools rust and grime free. Removes ink from carpet, leather, and other fabrics.
Rubber Seals and Parts.
Silicone Spray can help extended the life of these rubber seals and keep them functioning longer.
As o rings are made from synthetic rubbers such as Neoprene, nitrile, and EPDM, you can use petroleum grease to perfectly lubricate the o ring. However, knowing if the o ring is made from ordinary natural rubber or synthetic rubber is where the problem lies, as petroleum will degrade natural rubber.
Silicone spray is best used on rubber parts like slide seals. I use WD-40 (or PB Blaster) on metal parts but it will dry up and evaporate in a couple of hours. Silicone spray is best used on rubber parts like slide seals. I use WD-40 (or PB Blaster) on metal parts but it will dry up and evaporate in a couple of hours.
Tom: Motor oils, including synthetic ones, are based on mineral oils. The problem is that mineral oils and rubber don't mix well. The oils can cause rubber to swell or deform, and because there are lots of rubber seals in your brake system, that eventually can make your brakes stick, leak or even fail.
We will outline some of the differences between silicone sprays and dry lubricants below. The main difference between silicone spray and dry lubricant is that silicone spray is water repellent, whereas dry lubricant is not water repellent. Silicone Spray contains silicone, whereas dry lubricant contains PTFE.