We’ve all heard the rule: “If it’s moving and it shouldn’t – apply duct tape. If it’s not moving and it should – apply WD-40.”, but does this rule work for everything? Can you put WD40 on garage door tracks?
WD-40 is the gold standard when it comes to lubricants, degreasers, and rust removers, but the standard version will not help to lubricate your garage door. Traditional WD-40 is a short-term cleaner and lubricant, whereas garage door moving parts need grease. While it is not a good lubricant for the moving parts, traditional WD-40 can be used to clean the inside of the door’s tracks.
Read ahead in this article to find out all about how WD-40 could be used to help keep your garage door moving smoothly, including which versions you might apply where.
Why Do You Need to Lubricate Your Garage Door Tracks?
It is really important that you keep the moving parts of your garage door lubricated. If you don’t, you will start to notice problems with opening and closing, and some issues that can end up costing you a lot of money in the long run.
It’s not just about reducing the squeaking and creaking sounds that you hear when you’re using the doors. If you don’t apply a lubricant, your garage doors can stick or jam, and the metal will start to wear down over time. This can result in permanent damage that may need expensive repairs or replacements.
The garage door tracks, in particular, are in constant contact with the moving rollers, that need to have as smooth a motion as possible in order to work properly.
Does WD-40 Work as a Lubricant for Garage Door Tracks?
WD-40 might be the first thing that comes to mind when you want to get things moving, but it is actually not the best choice as a lubricant for your garage doors. The standard WD-40 spray is a short-term oil lubricant that acts more like a cleaner.
The “WD” in WD-40 stands for “Water Displacement”, which is what the traditional spray is designed to do. WD-40 is an oil lubricant and a degreaser, so it will clean the surface and dry it out, stripping off any material that is there. This means that WD-40 will actually remove the grease that the moving parts of your garage door need to function properly.
Applying WD-40 will do more harm than good when it comes to lubrication. The layer that it does apply is too thin to last and your doors will start squeaking again in no time. To lubricate your garage doors properly, you need a grease.
However, you might still standard WD-40 on the inside of your garage door tracks, to clear away any debris or material that has built up over time.
What Lubricant Do You Need for Garage Door?
The type of lubricant that you need for a garage door is grease. This provides a thicker layer than an oil like WD-40, allowing your rollers to move properly. There are many kinds of grease lubricants out there to choose from, but there are two that are most common for household purposes.
- White Lithium: A good all-purpose option that is great for things like door hinges and bearings. Highly viscous and likely to last for a long time, this is a great choice for metal garage door tracks. It is not ideal for use on plastic or rubber components, though, as it can cause them to decay.
- Silicone: This grease usually comes as a white, gooey paste. It is more versatile than lithium as it won’t damage rubber or plastic parts. It doesn’t function well at high temperatures but it is very water-resistant.
Both can be very effective for their purpose, but it is best to use white lithium for metal components and silicone for plastic or rubber.
You will find that there are a lot of options and variety, even for the same kind of grease, but they should all do the job.
Can You Get WD-40 Grease for Garage Door Tracks?
Although their standard oil lubricant is not great for lubricating garage doors, WD-40 does make some fantastic silicone and white lithium grease. A couple of their best lubricants for this job include:
- WD-40 Specialist White Lithium Grease Spray: This spray applies as a liquid but quickly forms into a thick grease coat which is long-lasting and highly effective. It does, however, have quite a strong smell.
- WD-40 Specialist Silicone Spray: This spray dries into a harder film that is less thick than some grease, but is still effective. Unlike the white lithium spray, this can be used on multiple surfaces, like plastic and rubber.
One of the nice things about working with WD-40 is their well-designed applicators. They have a very convenient spray straw which makes it easy to get into smaller gaps and apply an even coating.
How Do You Lubricate Your Garage Door Tracks?
Overall, the process of actually applying your chosen grease lubricant is a pretty simple one. All you need it your spray can and a clean cloth. You want to apply the grease to the rollers and anywhere else that includes moving parts.
You don’t actually want to grease the inside of the garage door tracks themselves. A layer of grease on the tracks will attract dirt and dust over time, which can inhibit the movement of the door.
You shouldn’t need a very thick layer, and you can use your clean cloth to wipe off any excess.
It is recommended that you lubricate your garage door tracks at least twice a year, if you want them to stay in good working order. Of course, you should also give them a good grease anytime you start to hear the door squeak during use.
Where Can You Put Traditional WD-40 On Your Garage Door Tracks?
While traditional WD-40 is not a good lubricant for the moving parts of your garage door, it can be a great cleaner for the inside of the tracks, if they have become overly greasy.
This is an area that you want to clean, rather than grease. Usually, a simple wipe with a clean cloth is enough to do the job, but you might need to do a bit more. If you have a build-up of grease inside of the tracks of your garage door, WD-40 can help you to clear it out.
Summary: Can You Put Wd40 on Garage Door Tracks?
So, can you put WD-40 on garage door tracks? Well, it depends on where you are applying it and for what purpose.
Traditional WD-40 is oil-based and works as a cleaner and short-term lubricant. This can help to clear out the inside of your garage door tracks, but will not work as a lubricant for the rollers. On the moving parts, normal WD-40 will actually remove the grease that they need and cause more issues.
For your moving parts, you need a white lithium or silicone grease, depending on the material. Fortunately, WD-40 have some great versions of these lubricants for just that purpose.