WD40 Specialist: High Performance PTFE Lubricant

WD40 400ml High Performance PTFE Lubricant is precisely that, a beefed up dressing to tackle those awkward situations where grease is too stodgy but traditional water displacers are just too thin. The most surprising characteristic was its success as a spring/summer weight chain lube and makeshift preserve on thin walled steel framesets.

Aside from the usual cautions, there's little information on the back of the can, other than to say it incorporates PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) for reduced friction and therefore smooth running.

Don't be fooled into flooding control cables or derailleur springs with the stuff though, since this will only clog them. That said, a notable exception is exposed derailleur wires passing along old fashioned bottom bracket cable guides typically found on classic steel road/touring chassis and pulley systems designed to compensate for poor brake cable runs.

'Specialist' shouldn't be confused with 'cycling specific', and a little nous is needed when it comes to using this stuff around bikes and accessories. The most obvious candidates have been cleats/mechanisms, jockey wheels and some specialist trailer hitches. The corrosion inhibiting qualities will keep hub cones and plated fixings including crank, derailleur/brake mounts pristine.

Don't get carried away though - a judicious dribble's the limit here to avoid attracting dirt.

For these reasons, its lighter PTFE sibling (I'll be reviewing it soon) is the better option for bikes in seasonal storage and despite claims to the contrary, in my experience polymers can react badly to Teflon based products so try and avoid direct contact with seals, elastomers and similar bearing/suspension components.

It scores well as an alternative to cavity sealants inside thin walled steel tubing and works a treat inside expedition racks, tune up stands, trailer chassis etc.

Simply squirt down the seat tube and through the breathe holes, rotating for even penetration.

On a chain, it's easily on equal performance terms with Finish Line's 1 Step /content/review/23413-finish-line-1-step-cleaner-and-lubricant chain lube, application is more involved in the first instance to avoid the rear wheel wearing the lion's share. Clean the chain (and cassette where appropriate) of residual lube, allow a few minutes to dry and apply to each link, holding an old clean cloth beneath to catch over-spray.

In arid weather I've managed 180 road miles per application, falling to 120 in changeable conditions, although cleat mechanisms and other fixtures are still very sweet.

Verdict

Surprisingly capable spray that's stout enough for chains.