Rain, puddles, mud and, in winter, salt on the roads: every ride leaves moisture on the metal parts. If it stays there, rust appears, which not only looks bad but also affects the derailleurs, cables and chain.
Protecting a bike is simple: remove dirt and water, apply a water-repellent film to the metal and keep the bike somewhere dry. The whole job takes a few minutes.
What you will need
Important: Do not apply products to tyres, brake pads, brake discs or the braking surfaces of rims used with rim brakes. Cover them with a cloth.
Step 1
Stand and prepare the bike
Put the bike on its kickstand or a workstand so you can move around it and turn the pedals. Brush off heavy dirt with water and wipe wet areas dry: the protective film bonds better to clean metal.
Step 2
Check the finish
Look over the frame and fork, especially underneath, around the bottom bracket and where the wheel throws dirt. Touch up any chips down to bare metal as soon as possible, because that is where rust creeps under the paint.
Step 3
Apply a protective film
Spray WD-40 Multi-Use evenly over the exposed metal parts: bolts, derailleurs, cables where they leave the housing, pedals, seat post and kickstand. It displaces moisture, lifts light dirt and forms a thin water-repellent layer that stops rust from forming. Use the WD-40 Smart Straw to reach into gaps and threads.
Step 4
Let it dry and wipe off the excess
Leave the bike for about 10 minutes so the product spreads and the protective layer forms. Then lightly wipe the parts with a clean cloth to remove any excess that would attract dust.
Step 5
Lubricate the chain
The chain suffers most from water, so it needs a dedicated lubricant. Apply WD-40 Specialist Bike Chain Lube to the inside of the chain while slowly backpedalling, leave it for a few minutes and wipe the excess off the plates.
Step 6
Store it properly
Dry storage is the best rust protection. Keep the bike indoors rather than on an open balcony. Before winter, wash, dry and treat it with WD-40, and if it stays in an unheated garage, use a fabric cover rather than plastic, which traps condensation.
Tip: After riding on wet, salted roads, never leave the bike dirty overnight: salt and water can rust bolts and the chain within days.
What next
Treat the bike with WD-40 after every wash and before winter storage, and lube the chain every few hundred kilometres. If rust has already appeared, see our guide on removing rust from a bicycle.
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».