PlusGas or WD 40

[okeydokey]

Ive never bought PlusGas but having seen it mentioned recently on various topics I wonder if I should get some for the odd undoing stuck things where I have previously used WD40 - it seems to be the bees knees! or get another product. I'm happy to buy the spray can rather then muck about mixing fluids - the spray and easy storage is the best thing for me.
Also their website says good for protecting tools against rust.
Any comments please?
cheers

 

[Phill05]

I have always been of the opinion "if it an't broke don't fix it" all my working life I have tried many different products in one form or the other but using WD40 has always done what I want the best.
Others will disagree they have found what they believe is the best for them, If you have been happy with what you used keep using it.

 

[Bingy man]

For general use wd 40 is fine- but anything extremely corroded or tight or otherwise refuses to move then plus gas is the one. I’ve cracked joints that were assembled with the strength of a Roman gladiator that resisted all other attempts after soaking/ spraying on plus gas . There are several other products now that are as good ,original plus gas was not in aerosol form -it’s also probably had all the good bits removed by the h/s police but I’d still not be without a can .

 

[guineafowl21]

I’ve tried all sorts, and in general nothing really penetrates threads until you start budging the fastener - back and forth, spraying now and again.

WD40 often disparaged as just a water dispersant, but the familiar multi-use product has been modified. It does fine for me. Tried plus gas - as good as any other product.

This is a bit like sharpening, in provoking strong opinions either way.

Nothing beats heating to cherry red.

 

[Geoff_S]

I’ve used the WD40 penetrant spray to great effect.

 

[Sachakins]

A small can of diesel always worked for me as a penetrative fluid. But if you want a multi use product the plus gas and wd40 much the same, others may disagree.

Wouldn't use either of them to stop rust forming on tools personally, to short term action. A good paste wax my preferred, or a dry ptfe spray.
I steer clear of silicon sprays as in woodwork the overspray from silicon can wreak havoc on wood finishes, plus you don't see it the timber till you apply a finish, then it's a WTF moment as the finish spoils.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I assume the OP is comparing PlusGas to the original WD40 and not the WD40 penetrating spray, silicone etc.

 

[Bingy man]

I’ve tried all sorts, and in general nothing really penetrates threads until you start budging the fastener - back and forth, spraying now and again.

WD40 often disparaged as just a water dispersant, but the familiar multi-use product has been modified. It does fine for me. Tried plus gas - as good as any other product.

This is a bit like sharpening, in provoking strong opinions either way.

Nothing beats heating to cherry red.

It’s often a combination of all these treatments that gets the job done . It’s then almost impossible to say which product or application worked 1st or is it last ???

 

[wurglesnash357]

I assume the OP is comparing PlusGas to the original WD40 and not the WD40 penetrating spray, silicone etc.

I'm glad you mentioned that - a lot of people haven't yet twigged that WD40 these days is actually a whole range of specialised products for different purposes.

Dad had a can of Plus-gas which he kept topped up with 50/50 paraffin and light oil. It worked a treat, but eventually the spout dropped off.

 

[Kev.k]

I use GT85.

Doesn’t mess rubber/plastic up like wd40

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Dad had a can of Plus-gas which he kept topped up with 50/50 paraffin and light oil. It worked a treat, but eventually the spout dropped off.

50/50 oil paraffin was what was used at school nearly 60 years ago for honing.

 

[okeydokey]

I assume the OP is comparing PlusGas to the original WD40 and not the WD40 penetrating spray, silicone etc.

Correct

 

[Yorkieguy]

For decades WD40 was seen s a 'toolkit in a can'. There can't be many households who don't have at least one can, but you won't fin many in the motor trade where time is money using it as a release agent. Plus Gas is pretty standard.

WD40 does lots of things, some reasonably well, but they're not uses for which it was originally intended. As is commonly known, WD 40 stands for 'water displacement' and was the 40th recipe they tried when developing it. It has a fairly high surface tension, which is the opposite of what a releasing agent needs to be. That's why, some years ago now, WD40 (the company) developed its 'Specialist' range of nine products, one of which is a penetrant rather like Plus Gas, as has been mentioned in other posts.

WD40's own statement about their 'Fast Release Penetrant', is an admission in itself that the ordinary WD40 isn't up to the task:

Quote:

Our Specialist Fast Release Penetrant spray specifically targets corroded or rusted components and mechanisms. Its formula loosens stuck or seized parts quickly and easily. The penetrant has an extremely low surface tension, meaning it can cut through rust, seams and tightly-bonded threads to easily saturate and lubricate seized fixings. The Smart Straw and 360° valve allows it to be used precisely at all angles, and the capillary action of the formula means it can reach tight and hard to reach spaces. Highly water resistant, Fast Release Penetrant can also displace moisture that may be disrupting smooth movement, and can be used as a preventative to prohibit the build up of rust and corrosion in the future.

Unquote.

This is the penetrant:

Penetrant Spray

This is the full 'specialist range' (Nine products):

WD-40 Specialist Archives

This is the 'motorbike range' (Six products):

WD-40 Specialist Archives

This is the 'bike range' (Two products):

WD-40 Specialist MOTORBIKE Archives

Make of it what you will - I have no connection with WD40 ,and apart from the original WD40, I haven't tried any of their other products - I've used Plus Gas since 1960 ad don't see a reason to change.

 

[Fergie 307]

I have been working on old cars, bikes and assorted machinery for the best part of 50 years. Plus Gas is by far the best out of the tin penetrating fluid. Only thing that comes close is a mixture of 1/3 ATF to 2/3 Acetone, handy if you want to soak something. As for rust protection the problem with both diesel and WD 40 is that they eventually dry out, leaving a nasty brown varnish like deposit. Machine wax, or just beeswax furniture polish is better, just make sure if you use the latter that it doesn't contain silicon, otherwise you can have all sorts of issues with it getting places you don't want it.

 

[clogs]

Plus - Gas is unavailable in Europe.....27 years of looking....

I had an antique tractor front axle with most everything seized....even done the odd engine this way.....
actually, thinking of it I have an Ford 3000 outside that'll need the same doing......
took the lid off a 45 oil drum.......
filled it with r/diesel and soaked it for a week.....it did the job along with some heat.....just had to turn the axle over to do the other 1/2........lol.....

just an idea for ur w/shop.......
I have a few small yellow paint kettles, all from £ land, that has plastic dropper bottles kept in em with various fluids....
placed around where I'm working....one on each bench, near the drill n hydraulic press etc.......
Diesel, eng oil, gear box oil, hydraulic and lathe cutting fluids.....
everything is in one place and any mess is contained.....
I supose u can buy em but my drippers came free whith the chemicals used to dye my wifes hair.......shame on me.......

I believe u can buy the likes of WD40 etc in gallon cans now....is it much cheaper......?
anyone mention Duck Oil....ablast from the past ......?

 

[Fergie 307]

I use quite a few of the specialist WD40 products, and they are all pretty good. I did try the penetrating fluid, it was ok but more expensive than Plus Gas, and not as good, in my view anyway. Original WD40 was a revelation as a water repellent, spray your original mini distributor and leads with the stuff and you could drive through puddles with impunity

 

[Fergie 307]

Don't know about elsewhere in Europe but Plus Gas certainly available in the UK. E bay cheapest source, and they sell it at all my local motor factors, as in trade places, not Halfords !

 

[Fergie 307]

I use the wife's dye bottles for the same. Clairol the best, they have little screw caps

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I use quite a few of the specialist WD40 products, and they are all pretty good. I did try the penetrating fluid, it was ok but more expensive than Plus Gas, and not as good, in my view anyway. Original WD40 was a revelation as a water repellent, spray your original mini distributor and leads with the stuff and you could drive through puddles with impunity

I have seen it recommended that WD40 is not used on electrics as it can cause intermittent faults which as we all know are a nightmare to find/cure.

 

[John Brown]

Does PlusGas work on salmon fishing bait? My deceased father in law always sprayed WD40 on his bait when salmon fishing off the Washington State coast.