Is it safe to WD40 coin mechs???

[BLACK KNIGHT]

My coin mechs are intermittently sticking and squeaking so I thot I'd WD40 'em.  Is that okay???

[MonitorGuru]

Say it after me: WD-40 is NOT a lubricant. WD-40 is NOT a lubricant.

WD stands for Water Displacement.  It's purpose is to remove surface water and prevent water build up from metal/plastic.    It just happens to feel/look like a lubricant when first sprayed, but it definitely doesn't stay that way and in fact ends up gumming up stuff after a very short time.

Use a drop of 3-in-1 oil or a silicone spray lubricant instead. It will last much longer, not dry out and just collect dust and gum up.

[Ken Layton]

No-No-NO! Throw that WD-40 in the garbage right now! Never ever use that stuff on a coin chute.

If you need to use any kind of a lubricant on a coin chute, go over to Lowe's Hardware and buy a can of "Super Lube Dri-Film Lubricant" (barcode 082353110162). It's a special DRY silicone spray. You take your little tiny straight slot screwdriver and carefully pop off the e-rings holding the cradles on your coin chute. Now slide them off. Get a Q-tip swab and spray the Super Lube on the Q-tip swab and wpe it on the posts the cradles pivot on. Now reassemble and everything should be fine.

[Apollo]

Never use penetrating oil on your cab, anywhere unless you are having rust problems. 3-in-1 oil is the way to go.

[RayB]

OK, I'd like to know something. What DO you use WD-40 for then?

[ErikRuud]

http://www.wd40.com/Brands/wd40_faqs.html

[ThePaul]

How is WD-40 different from 3-IN-ONE?
WD-40 is the ultimate multi-purpose problem solver. WD-40 cleans/degreases, penetrates to loosen up stuck parts, prevents corrosion and is a light lubricant. 3-IN-ONE, with it's special drip spout, enables you to lubricate without any overspray or splatter. 3-IN-ONE is ideal to use on tools, rollers, hinges, in-line skates, wheels...nearly everything that moves.

loosen up stuck parts.. isn't that what the original poster was looking to do?   I'm not saying it works, but they seem to claim it does  

[BLACK KNIGHT]

How is WD-40 different from 3-IN-ONE?
WD-40 is the ultimate multi-purpose problem solver. WD-40 cleans/degreases, penetrates to loosen up stuck parts, prevents corrosion and is a light lubricant. 3-IN-ONE, with it's special drip spout, enables you to lubricate without any overspray or splatter. 3-IN-ONE is ideal to use on tools, rollers, hinges, in-line skates, wheels...nearly everything that moves.

loosen up stuck parts.. isn't that what the original poster was looking to do?   I'm not saying it works, but they seem to claim it does  

Yeah, according to that FAQ that's exactly what I need.  The metal appears to be oxidized (I think it's called), and it needs lubrication all over.  WD-40 has always worked great on my car for this sorta thing that's why I thot of it.  I just wanted to make sure it wasn't gonna damage the coin mech in any way.

[MinerAl]

In spite of the capital letter warnings above, yes WD-40 will loosen up oxidized parts.  Once you have them loose though, it would be a good idea to clean as much WD-40 off of them as you can and lubricate them with 3-in-1 or graphite lube.  

The main problem with WD-40 is the spray splatters it everywhere which can be dangerous to electronic bits.  Make sure to take the coin mechs far away from your cabinet before spraying it, and then do your clean up and lubricating (and more clean up) away from the electronics.

WD-40 isn't actually evil, it just isn't a long term lubricant.

[Ken Layton]

Since I'm also a movie theater tech, most theaters (good ones) have banned WD-40 from the projection booth. WD-40 destroys projection equipment!

The best use of WD-40 is for squeaky door hinges.

[Gameboy.au]

Graphite powder is the way to go.

My 2 cents  

[JAMMA Guy]

I use astroglide on my mechs .. it's all natural ... rotfl  

[Sylentwulf]

WD-40 is more penetrating than 3-in-1. Meaning if you have a bolt/nut that is too stubborn to come off, using WD-40 would do wonders, but once the bolt is off, then screwed back on, it's not going to keep it lubricated for more than a day or so.

3-in-1 will NOT soak into tight problems like a stuck nut, but it will lubricate moving parts great and last a long time.

[danny_galaga]

my thoughts exactly. i'm just in the process of un-seizing a couple of model boat engines i (very carelessly) left for about eight years. most model engines use castor oil for lubrication which is one of the best lubricants you can get for engines. unfortunately it becomes gummed up over time and glues everything together. so i've filled up the motors with a WD40 equivalent and left it a day or two. after a bit of working it has now loosened up to like it used to be.

however if i then used WD40 as the lubricant it would blow up in 5 seconds flat!! even to the extent that before i run these motors i will fill them full of fuel (which has the castor oil in it) and fully work that back into the bearings, etc..

so, generally it would be best to un-seize things with WD40 and then lubricate it with the appropriate product.

now having said that i have used WD40 on locks etc (which is supposed to be a big no-no) without any ill-effect.  

[MonitorGuru]

The key is WD-40 is a momentary "lubricant" (but I hate to call it that) and as such is very thin and can penetrate through frozen parts.

3-in-1 oil is a lot thicker and therefore is a long term lubricant, and can't flow into frozen parts, but is used to keep things free once unlocked by another chemical, like WD-40.

So if you can't swivel the mech at all, then use WD-40 to loosen it, then clean it up and put a drop of oil or silicone spray in it to keep it moving free. Just don't think WD-40 is all you need forever. It will lock it back up again shortly.

[RayB]

Well, that FAQ says it's a lubricant, so WTF?!

All I know is I used some on a very squeaky door and now that door is silent as the wind, and has been for over 2 months now.
 

[MikesSecretStash]

Hey, WD-40 can chaw plastics to hell, don't be spraying it in your chute :0