Brand · WD-40 Company

Which WD-40 should you buy?

The blue-and-yellow can, and the four cousins nobody tells you about.

Most people own one can of WD-40 and use it for everything. That works until it does not: our reviews rate the Original formula Medium for penetration, because it is a moisture displacer and light lubricant first. WD-40 Company sells a Specialist line that splits those jobs into dedicated cans.

We review five of them. Two are proper penetrants, one is a silicone, one is a spray-on white lithium grease, and one is the Original. Buying the right one is mostly a question of what you are spraying it on and how long you can wait.

Pick by job

Which WD-40 for which job

One can for squeaks, moisture and light rust
WD-40 Original
The all-rounder. Over 2,000 documented uses, and it wins on versatility in both of its head-to-heads.
Penetrating Oils · Medium · 12 oz · our score 97%
Check Price Review
A seized bolt you can leave to soak
WD-40 Specialist Penetrant
Rated Deep, a step past the Original, with the EZ-REACH flexible straw for tight spots.
Penetrating Oils · Deep · 11 oz · our score 94%
Check Price Review
A seized part you need loose right now
WD-40 Fast Release
Built for speed over soak time. Rated Medium for penetration, so it is the emergency can, not the deep one.
Penetrating Oils · Medium · 11 oz · our score 90%
Check Price Review
Rubber seals, plastic, weather stripping
WD-40 Silicone
A clear, waterproof film that is safe on rubber, plastic and vinyl and does not attract dust.
Silicone Lubes · Surface · 11 oz · our score 93%
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Metal-on-metal hinges, latches and gears
WD-40 White Lithium
Sprays on as a liquid and sets to a thick layer that stays put under load.
Grease · Surface · 10 oz · our score 92%
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Side by side

The WD-40 lineup, specced

Product	Type	Penetration	Size	Price	Best for	Our score
WD-40 Original	Penetrating Oils	Medium	12 oz	$	rusty bolts, squeaky hinges	97%
WD-40 Specialist Penetrant	Penetrating Oils	Deep	11 oz	$$	seized bolts, frozen threads	94%
WD-40 Silicone	Silicone Lubes	Surface	11 oz	$	rubber seals, plastic parts	93%
WD-40 White Lithium	Grease	Surface	10 oz	$	metal-to-metal, hinges	92%
WD-40 Fast Release	Penetrating Oils	Medium	11 oz	$$	emergency repairs, roadside fixes	90%

Head-to-Head

How WD-40 does in a fight

WD-40 vs PB B'laster

PB B'laster penetrates deeper on seized bolts; WD-40 is the better all-rounder.

Read the head-to-head →

WD-40 vs Kroil

Kroil wins on pure penetrating power. WD-40 wins on price and versatility.

Read the head-to-head →

WD-40 Silicone vs 3M Silicone

WD-40 for wet applications; 3M for dry, residue-free lubrication.

Read the head-to-head →

White Lithium Grease vs Silicone Lubricant

White lithium for metal-on-metal. Silicone for rubber, plastic, and multi-material.

Read the head-to-head →

Rankings

Where WD-40 places in our best-of lists

Put it to work

Jobs we reach for WD-40 on

Seized-part jobs where a WD-40 can is one of our picks, and why.

How to Remove a Seized Brake Caliper Bolt

WD-40 Specialist Penetrant: The flexible straw lets you hit the back side of the knuckle without fogging the rotor.

Moderate · soak 30 min to overnight · heat with care

How to Remove a Wheel Stuck to the Hub

WD-40 Original: Fine for a lightly stuck wheel. It is what most people already have in the garage.

Easy · soak 15 min · no heat

How to Remove a Rusted Lug Nut

WD-40 Fast Release: Built for roadside and time-sensitive jobs, like a flat tire with a stubborn nut.

Easy · soak 15–30 min · no heat

How to Remove a Seized O2 Sensor

WD-40 Specialist Penetrant: The straw gets into the tight spot between the sensor and the pipe.

Moderate · soak 30 min to overnight · heat with care

How to Remove a Shock or Strut Top Nut That Spins

WD-40 Specialist Penetrant: Straw reaches the nut under the body or in the strut tower.

Moderate · soak 15–30 min · no heat

How to Remove a Stuck Oil Drain Plug

WD-40 Original: Enough for light rust around a drain plug.

Easy · soak 15 min · no heat

How to Remove Rusted License Plate Screws

WD-40 Original: Most people already have it, and it is enough for plate screws.

Easy · soak 10–15 min · no heat

How to Fix a Rusted Bike Chain

First pick

WD-40 Original: For freeing stiff links and displacing water. Clean it off afterward.

Easy · soak 15–30 min · no heat

How to Remove a Stuck Door Hinge Pin

WD-40 White Lithium: Listed for hinges. Coat the pin on reinstall for metal-to-metal protection.

Easy · soak 10–15 min · no heat

How to Remove Rusted Toilet Seat Bolts

WD-40 Original: Enough for light rust on small hardware.

Easy · soak 15–30 min · no heat

How to Remove a Garden Hose Stuck on a Spigot

First pick

WD-40 Original: Fine for a lightly corroded coupling, and it displaces water.

Easy · soak 15–30 min · no heat

How to Remove a Rusted Screw from Wood

First pick

WD-40 Specialist Penetrant: The straw puts a small amount right on the screw without soaking the wood.

Moderate · soak 15 min · heat with care

How to Free a Seized Bench Vise

WD-40 White Lithium: Listed for metal-to-metal and gears. Coat the screw on reassembly.

Moderate · soak overnight · heat with care

Asked and answered

WD-40 questions

Is WD-40 a penetrating oil?

The Original penetrates, but we rate it Medium: it is a moisture displacer and light lubricant first. For a properly seized fastener, WD-40 Specialist Penetrant (rated Deep) is the better WD-40, and our WD-40 vs PB B'laster head-to-head gives the seized-bolt win to PB.

WD-40 Specialist Penetrant or Fast Release?

Specialist Penetrant if you can let it soak: we rate it Deep. Fast Release is built to work in seconds and we rate it Medium. Time on your side means Specialist; a roadside fix means Fast Release.

WD-40 Silicone or White Lithium Grease?

Our head-to-head verdict: white lithium for metal-on-metal, silicone for rubber, plastic and mixed materials. Lithium stays put on hinges and gears; silicone will not harm seals.