Something squeaks, rubs or sticks, and you reach for a lubricant. The right reflex, but products differ: a dry lubricant and a grease work in different ways and have different jobs. Pick the wrong one and wardrobe runners clog with dust, or a chain left out in the rain is dry again within a week.
Below is a simple, practical guide: what a dry lubricant is and what a grease is, where each works best, and how to decide quickly which one your component needs.
What you will need
Important: Before applying any lubricant, clean old dirt off the part and dry it. Do not mix dry lubricant and grease on the same component: a thick layer cancels out the main advantage of the dry film. Treat powered mechanisms only when they are stopped and isolated.
Step 1
Dry lubricant: clean and residue-free
A dry lubricant leaves an ultra-thin, almost invisible, non-sticky film. WD-40 Specialist Dry Lubricant (on request) holds neither dust nor dirt, so it is ideal for sensitive spots and places exposed to deposits.
Use it for drawer runners, door and window tracks, locks, and precision mechanisms in printers and strimmers. The film gives smooth sliding, reduces wear and tolerates high temperatures.
Step 2
Silicone as a ready alternative
If you do not have a dry lubricant to hand, WD-40 Specialist Silicone suits clean sliding parts. It also leaves a thin coat, does not make surfaces sticky and adds protection against moisture.
Silicone works well on plastic runners, sliding door rollers, window tracks and rubber seals, which then do not crack in frost.
Step 4
How to decide in a minute
A dry lubricant stays clean, while grease is tougher and protects better. Choose dry for dusty rooms, light precision parts and mechanisms that must stay clean and mark-free, such as furniture, office equipment and locks.
Choose grease for parts exposed to rain or damp, and wherever loads and friction are high: gates, machinery, trailers, chains, pivots.
Step 5
Apply and check the result
Clean and dry the part, shake the can and apply a thin, even coat precisely to the friction point. Leave a dry lubricant for a few minutes so the solvent evaporates and the film forms.
Work the mechanism a few times and wipe off the excess. If the squeak returns within days, the product probably does not match the load: switch to a grease for heavy-duty parts.
Tip: Winter makes the choice easier: outdoor parts that see salt and snow are best protected with a thick water-resistant grease, while anything indoors and in dust is better with a dry or silicone lubricant.
What next
Keep both types in the workshop: one for clean sliding parts and one for loaded components. Treat components twice a year, and outdoor ones more often.
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».