Metal surfaces at home and in the workshop, from cooker hoods and railings to workbenches, shelving and garden furniture, gradually collect grease, dust, fingerprints and water marks. This layer not only looks bad but also holds moisture, which is why rust spots appear on steel.
Regular degreasing and proper drying bring back the shine and keep metal working as it should. Below is a simple routine that suits most painted and bare metal surfaces.
What you will need
Important: Test the product on a hidden area first, especially on lacquered, gilded and patinated surfaces. Do not apply it to hot metal, or to food-contact surfaces without washing them thoroughly afterwards. Ventilate the room and keep the aerosol away from flames.
Step 1
Apply the product evenly
Spray WD-40 Multi-Use onto the surface you want to degrease, covering the whole area evenly. For large areas such as gates, metal cabinets or racking, WD-40 Trigger Pro with its trigger sprayer is more convenient.
Indoors, open a window, and wear a mask when working on large surfaces for a long time.
Step 2
Let the product work
Leave it for a few minutes. In that time it penetrates grease and dirt, loosens their grip on the metal and softens the deposit.
The older and thicker the deposit, the longer you should wait. Apply again on heavily soiled spots.
Step 3
Wipe away the loosened dirt
Wipe the surface with a microfibre cloth in one direction, and on brushed stainless steel along the grain. Turn the cloth to a clean side regularly.
For relief patterns, seams and corners, use WD-40 Smart Straw with the straw raised and an old toothbrush.
Step 4
Rinse off residue where needed
On kitchen surfaces, handles and anything touched often, wipe the metal after degreasing with a cloth dampened in warm soapy water, then with a clean damp cloth.
On tools, shelving, garden furniture and outdoor metal you can leave the thin film: it repels water and protects against corrosion.
Step 5
Dry the surface thoroughly
Go over the metal with a clean dry cloth until there is no moisture or streaking left. Leftover water causes marks, and on steel eventually rust.
Dry seams, corners and edges especially carefully, as water lingers there longest.
Tip: For metal that lives outdoors, on a balcony or in an unheated garage, apply a thin layer of
WD-40 Multi-Use in late autumn and spread it with a cloth. It protects against moisture, condensation and road salt over the winter.
What next
Degrease metal kitchen surfaces once a week and other surfaces once a month or as needed. For rusty hinges, fittings and locks you find while cleaning, the same WD-40 Multi-Use does the job.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».