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Lubrication is one of the most essential components of any garage door maintenance regimen. Springs, cables, rollers, tracks, and other parts require lubrication in order to allow your garage door to operate properly. However, if you go online to search for the best lubricant for your garage door tracks, one recommendation you might find in the results is WD40. 

Based on those recommendations, it would be easy to assume that WD40 should be the go-to garage door lubricant. But can you use WD40 on garage door tracks? Continue reading to find out the answer to this question. 

What is WD40? 

WD40 is a substance intended to prevent water-based corrosion that was invented by Norm Larsen in 1953. The WD in WD40 notably stands for “water displacement,” and the 40 signifies that the formula was perfected at the fortieth attempt.  Today it is produced in spray form, and two of its primary ingredients include non-volatile viscous oil and aliphatic hydrocarbons. With this interesting history in mind, let’s take a look at how exactly WD40 should be used. 

How Should WD40 Be Used? 

WD40 has made headlines for its unconventional uses as python or beaver repellent, among others, but its more conventional uses include stain removal, getting stuck pieces of items loose and free, and, primarily, moisture prevention in mechanical parts. WD40, as the name suggests, is used as water displacement to prevent corrosion and as a degreaser. But can WD40 be used as a garage door lubricant? 

Can You Use WD40 On Garage Door Tracks?

The short answer to the question “can you use WD40 on garage door tracks?” is no. Most garage door experts strongly discourage applying WD40 as a garage door lubricant overall. The purpose of garage door lubricant is to ensure that all the parts that allow it to open and close and move smoothly and work as expected. 

WD40, on the other hand, is more of a cleaner than a lubricant, making it less than suitable for garage door maintenance. In fact, applying WD40 could actually remove the lubricant from your garage door, and it is too thin to be effective for your garage door.  Now that you know you can’t and shouldn’t use WD40 on garage door tracks, let’s take a look at what should be used to lubricate your garage door tracks. 

What Should Be Used On Garage Door Tracks? 

Before explaining what lubricant should be used on garage door tracks, let’s touch upon the role of tracks in your garage door. Garage door tracks are located at the sides of and above the garage door and help guide the garage door in successfully opening and closing. The rollers are located on the trackers as well. As for maintaining garage door tracks, it’s actually recommended that you wash them with soap and water, not lubricate them. 

“Ok, but what should I use for the parts of my garage door that require lubrication?” is probably your next question. First of all, the parts of your garage door that will need lubricating are your springs, hinges, and rollers. If your garage door opener operates on a chain drive, then the chain will also need lubricating. When it comes to maintaining garage door tracks, just focus on cleaning them periodically with soap and water. 

can you use wd40 on garage door tracks

The Best Garage Door Service In Friendswood, TX!

We hope you feel more confident about how to approach maintaining your garage door tracks now that we’ve answered the question: “can you use WD40 on garage door tracks?” While you want to make sure you can keep up with the maintenance routines that are safe for you to do, there will be some tasks that require a professional approach. If you’re in Friendswood, TX, then M.G.A. Garage Door Repair is the best garage door service to meet your needs. Contact us today for first-class garage door service.

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