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watch watcher · 22 April 2013, 10:31 AM

Are the sealing gaskets (caseback, crown) negatively affected by contact with WD-40? This may sound like a looney-tunes idea to some, but i want to 'lube' and 'flush' the Jubilee bracelet on my DJ and also apply some WD-40 to the caseback to ward off corrosion. I know it'll make a mess. Watch is from the mid-eighties and the caseback gasket is new from when I bought it 2 years ago. So does this plan make sense, or....

?

Rikki · 22 April 2013, 10:37 AM

If you use anything use a silicone spray wd40 is a corrosive penetrant not advisable. Your watch is stainless steel it really doesn't need anything just wash and rinse every couple weeks. Rikki

watch watcher · 22 April 2013, 11:05 AM

Well, I see all of those cases (and lugs) posted here with the corrosion and pitted area where the caseback screws in which feeds into my paranoia, not to mention where people here talk about getting the cases repaired (built up).

I won't use WD-40 as your point is well taken re: WD-40 is a penetrant, so .

CaveDiver · 22 April 2013, 11:24 AM

Some gaskets don't fair to well with petroleum products

Marrk · 22 April 2013, 11:29 AM

As far as I know, WD-40 is not, properly speaking, a lubricant. It is a "water displacement" solution. Credentialed tribologists and lubrication engineers may weigh in here.

Silicone may be what you need. Perhaps something specific for watch gasket applications.

Rikki · 23 April 2013, 02:20 AM

What causes case corrosion is a very acidic body chemistry which is not something you can readily fix. So washing is soap and water every other week should be sufficient. Rik

Frosty · 23 April 2013, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marrk

As far as I know, WD-40 is not, properly speaking, a lubricant. It is a "water displacement" solution. Credentialed tribologists and lubrication engineers may weigh in here.

Silicone may be what you need. Perhaps something specific for watch gasket applications.

People use it for everything, but, you are correct. If memory serves me, WD, stands for Water Displacement, and 40 was how many tries until they got it right.

Rolex Richie · 23 April 2013, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frosty

People use it for everything, but, you are correct. If memory serves me, WD, stands for Water Displacement, and 40 was how many tries until they got it right.

Frosty. You beat me to it ! I knew it.
Bet you don't know what BRAVIA stands for, in Sony BRAVIA TV.

eVojlib · 23 April 2013, 04:05 AM

Best resoluion audio... Bla bla bla in otherwords, still prefer my old pioneer elite palsma :)

rmfnla · 23 April 2013, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rikki

If you use anything use a silicone spray wd40 is a corrosive penetrant not advisable. Your watch is stainless steel it really doesn't need anything just wash and rinse every couple weeks. Rikki

I assume you meant a corrosion penetrant since WD40 is not at all corrosive...

build4boost · 3 May 2013, 01:24 PM

WD-40 penetrant oil, will swell rubber seals.

rmfnla · 5 May 2013, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by build4boost

WD-40 penetrant oil, will swell rubber seals.

Maybe natural rubber but not the synthetics used in modern gaskets and O-rings...

SubKing · 5 May 2013, 05:21 AM

there is a special lube that is used for gaskets. It's called Fomblin grease. It's the best of the best but it is not cheap. This is what rolex uses as well. It's about 50 bucks for a small container.. using anything else like the cheap lubricants like silicone are not meant for this type of application.. and WD40 is a NO NO.. fork out the cash for the right stuff or send it into rolex.. You will only make the crown and case gaskets worse by using other agents.

watch watcher · 6 May 2013, 11:04 AM

OK, dumb idea, then. I just washed my Datejust with soap and hot water for the first time ever (over 2 years). The results were nothing less than spectacular. The watch glistens like new one. So now I've incorporated a weekly regimen of washing it.

Beelzy · 6 May 2013, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmfnla

Maybe natural rubber but not the synthetics used in modern gaskets and O-rings...

WD40 should only be used for rusty nuts and bolts.....not as a lubricant.

Approved secondary use is only done properly if a flame is placed in front of the spray nozzle
at the moment one deploys the product, on spiders.

cop414 · 6 May 2013, 09:11 PM

You think it sparkles now give this stuff a try after you wash it next time...

Rikki · 7 May 2013, 05:58 AM

I've seen wd 40 sprayed on clock movements that 6 months later were rusted and pitted.

melons · 7 May 2013, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beelzy

Approved secondary use is only done properly if a flame is placed in front of the spray nozzle at the moment one deploys the product, on spiders.

I've done this whilst wear a Rolex...

Beelzy · 7 May 2013, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melons

I've done this whilst wear a Rolex...

Funny you say that.....I substituted a can of spray paint instead of WD40 once. Worked great,
until the flame inexplicably went out....and I spray painted half of my 3 month old Sub bright yellow!

melons · 8 May 2013, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beelzy

Funny you say that.....I substituted a can of spray paint instead of WD40 once. Worked great,
until the flame inexplicably went out....and I spray painted half of my 3 month old Sub bright yellow!

Never use paint, it doesn't stay lit. Lysol on the other hand works great.

accce · 9 May 2013, 12:08 PM

there is a special lube that is used for gaskets. It's called Fomblin grease. It's the best of the best but it is not cheap. This is what rolex uses as well. It's about 50 bucks for a small container.. using anything else like the cheap lubricants like silicone are not meant for this type of application.. and WD40 is a NO NO.. fork out the cash for the right stuff or send it into rolex.. You will only make the crown and case gaskets worse by using other agents.

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/greases/6664903/

SUBversive · 9 May 2013, 12:58 PM

Okay, put the wd40 down and step back from the can ...

rmfnla · 11 May 2013, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beelzy

WD40 should only be used for rusty nuts and bolts.....not as a lubricant.

Approved secondary use is only done properly if a flame is placed in front of the spray nozzle
at the moment one deploys the product, on spiders.

Haha; fun!

I'm not suggesting WD40 as a lubricant (it's really not one; it's a penetrant); I am just saying if you get WD40 on your Rolex it won't harm the seals.

rmfnla · 11 May 2013, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rikki

I've seen wd 40 sprayed on clock movements that 6 months later were rusted and pitted.

That's because WD40 is a penetrant, not a lubricant.

It ultimately evaporates, leaving the metal unprotected, hence the rust.

22 April 2013, 10:31 AM	#1
watch watcher "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: ME Watch: Vintages Posts: 565	WD-40 and gaskets Are the sealing gaskets (caseback, crown) negatively affected by contact with WD-40? This may sound like a looney-tunes idea to some, but i want to 'lube' and 'flush' the Jubilee bracelet on my DJ and also apply some WD-40 to the caseback to ward off corrosion. I know it'll make a mess. Watch is from the mid-eighties and the caseback gasket is new from when I bought it 2 years ago. So does this plan make sense, or.... ?

22 April 2013, 10:37 AM	#2
Rikki TechXpert Join Date: Jun 2009 Real Name: Rik Dietel Location: Seminole Fla Watch: 5512 s/s Sub Posts: 1,818	If you use anything use a silicone spray wd40 is a corrosive penetrant not advisable. Your watch is stainless steel it really doesn't need anything just wash and rinse every couple weeks. Rikki __________________ Century 21 Certified watchmaker Omega Service Provider Trained Omega OWME Certified. Rolex Parts Account Holder.

23 April 2013, 02:20 AM	#6
Rikki TechXpert Join Date: Jun 2009 Real Name: Rik Dietel Location: Seminole Fla Watch: 5512 s/s Sub Posts: 1,818	What causes case corrosion is a very acidic body chemistry which is not something you can readily fix. So washing is soap and water every other week should be sufficient. Rik __________________ Century 21 Certified watchmaker Omega Service Provider Trained Omega OWME Certified. Rolex Parts Account Holder.

3 May 2013, 01:24 PM	#11
build4boost "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Chris Location: Baltimore MD Watch: My next Rolex! Posts: 159	WD-40 penetrant oil, will swell rubber seals. __________________ Chris N. SS Yacht-Master II "random". Explorer 42mm Polar "G". DSSD "V". SS GMT-C "V".

7 May 2013, 05:58 AM	#17
Rikki TechXpert Join Date: Jun 2009 Real Name: Rik Dietel Location: Seminole Fla Watch: 5512 s/s Sub Posts: 1,818	I've seen wd 40 sprayed on clock movements that 6 months later were rusted and pitted. __________________ Century 21 Certified watchmaker Omega Service Provider Trained Omega OWME Certified. Rolex Parts Account Holder.

22 April 2013, 11:05 AM	#3
watch watcher "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: ME Watch: Vintages Posts: 565	Well, I see all of those cases (and lugs) posted here with the corrosion and pitted area where the caseback screws in which feeds into my paranoia, not to mention where people here talk about getting the cases repaired (built up). I won't use WD-40 as your point is well taken re: WD-40 is a penetrant, so .

22 April 2013, 11:24 AM	#4
CaveDiver "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,075	Some gaskets don't fair to well with petroleum products

22 April 2013, 11:29 AM	#5
Marrk "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Real Name: Mark Location: Los Angeles Watch: 5513 Posts: 2,192	As far as I know, WD-40 is not, properly speaking, a lubricant. It is a "water displacement" solution. Credentialed tribologists and lubrication engineers may weigh in here. Silicone may be what you need. Perhaps something specific for watch gasket applications.

23 April 2013, 04:05 AM	#9
eVojlib "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Woodlands, Tx. Watch: 16610 - 1675 Posts: 44	Best resoluion audio... Bla bla bla in otherwords, still prefer my old pioneer elite palsma :)

5 May 2013, 05:21 AM	#13
SubKing "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: USA Watch: where do i start?? Posts: 3,254	there is a special lube that is used for gaskets. It's called Fomblin grease. It's the best of the best but it is not cheap. This is what rolex uses as well. It's about 50 bucks for a small container.. using anything else like the cheap lubricants like silicone are not meant for this type of application.. and WD40 is a NO NO.. fork out the cash for the right stuff or send it into rolex.. You will only make the crown and case gaskets worse by using other agents.

6 May 2013, 11:04 AM	#14
watch watcher "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: ME Watch: Vintages Posts: 565	OK, dumb idea, then. I just washed my Datejust with soap and hot water for the first time ever (over 2 years). The results were nothing less than spectacular. The watch glistens like new one. So now I've incorporated a weekly regimen of washing it.

9 May 2013, 12:08 PM	#21
accce "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Chevy Chase Watch: WG Daytona Posts: 1,088	there is a special lube that is used for gaskets. It's called Fomblin grease. It's the best of the best but it is not cheap. This is what rolex uses as well. It's about 50 bucks for a small container.. using anything else like the cheap lubricants like silicone are not meant for this type of application.. and WD40 is a NO NO.. fork out the cash for the right stuff or send it into rolex.. You will only make the crown and case gaskets worse by using other agents. http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/greases/6664903/

9 May 2013, 12:58 PM	#22
SUBversive Banned Join Date: May 2011 Location: ri Watch: Sun Dial Posts: 14,346	Okay, put the wd40 down and step back from the can ...

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