[ARC5] WD-40

[Robert Eleazer]

WD-40 was developed for the express purpose of "Wiping Down" Atlas ICBM's.  The missile's stainless steel skin could not be painted (I have seen the 
results of attempts to do so) so something was needed to remove moisture (especially after a LOX tanking test in the moist air of our coastal launch 
sites), clean the structure, and protect it against corrosion.  They tried 39 formulations and No. 40 was found to be suitable. 

As a result the WD-40 company started in San Diego, which is where the Atlas was being built.

So WD-40 was not designed to be a lubricant but rather to displace water and act as a cleaning agent as well as provide some degree of protective coating. 


73's

Wayne
WB5WSV