Maintenance & Tools

Can vaseline work as WD-40?: Vaseline can work as a temporary lubricant and rust barrier in some situations, but it is not a true substitute for…

What is the best lubricant for metal?: The best lubricant for most metal hardware is **lithium-based grease**.

Can I use baby oil instead of WD-40?: Baby oil can loosen sticking parts, but it is not a true substitute for WD-40 in most real-world jobs.

What oil is similar to ATF?: ATF (automatic transmission fluid) is usually a red, slippery hydraulic fluid, but it is not a single universal product.

Can I mix ATF and hydraulic oil?: Mixing ATF and hydraulic oil is usually a bad idea.

What is the absolute best penetrating oil?: Gsico Deep Penetrating Oil is my top one-bottle pick for seized hardware.

Can I use ATF as penetrating oil?: ATF (automatic transmission fluid) can lubricate a stuck fastener, but it is not a true penetrating oil.

What is considered penetrating oil?: Penetrating oil is a thin, low-viscosity lubricant made to seep into tight gaps and loosen stuck rust and…

What is the best DIY penetrating oil?: A kerosene-based mix is the best overall DIY penetrating oil for most stuck bolts, hinges, and small hardware.

Can brake fluid be used as penetrating oil?: Brake fluid can help loosen some stuck hardware, but it is a poor substitute for penetrating oil.

What is stronger than WD-40?: WD-40 is a water-displacing spray that provides light lubrication.

Can you use olive oil instead of WD-40?: Olive oil can work as a temporary lubricant, but it is not a drop-in replacement for WD-40 in most rusty,…

What is a good substitute for penetrating oil?: Penetrating oil seeps into rust and grime, then reduces the friction holding stuck threads, hinges,…

Will WD-40 penetrate rust?: WD-40 does penetrate rust, especially when you are trying to free stuck fasteners and loosen surface bonds.

Is penetrating oil better than WD-40?: Penetrating oil is better than WD-40 for stuck, rusted, or seized fasteners because it is designed to creep…