cjtinkle Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 The thought of using WD-40 on ANY sewing machine... much less my expensive Milly, is really bugging me. The stuff builds up and is just plain nasty! Why do we need to use it? What's wrong with just oil? And if it's for cleaning purposes, how about a silicone base instead? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blair8904 Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 DH has me wearing a mask when I spray it so I don't inhale the fumes. He, too, doesn't understand the use. I'll be interested in hearing what everyone else uses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 CJ actually WD 40 is a degreaser and will take care of all the build up of lint and such. I've never had it build up on my machine and I use it all the time! You have to make sure you spray it into the bobbin area, run the machine good and then clean it out. I usually spray it out with my air compressor. Once that is done then I add a few drops of oil and run it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindasewsit Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 I do the same thing as Heidi! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witha'K'quilting Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 I was told to use WD-40, so I spray the bobbion area with it...but then wipe it off. I haven't had any build up. It will be interesting to see what others say and especially Mark, Christie or Amy as to why. I saw Heidi's post...I do as her too. Honestly, I would think that silicone would leave a build-up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 Yep in same sandbox as Heidi and Kristina. Have been using for over 14 years and no build up. If your concerned get a MSDS, but you will find its harmless so you don't need a mask with it. That is unless your just not liking the smell. Spray on and let it clean the bobbin area and when finished wipe out the excess. No build up and it doesn't get sticky like silicones can if you don't remove every bit of excess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjtinkle Posted April 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 Okay, heck if Bonnie's been using it for 14 years with no build up, I'm sold! Thank you ladies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinneaMarie Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 WD-40 is like brake cleaner or adhesive remover. It cleans, and I've never had it build up either. A while back I got an email with a list of all the things you can use it for. It is petroleum based, I think. I also think it is fairly safe to use. I like it cause it cleans out all the oil build up/residue. So, yea, I'm in the sandbox too!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterfly Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 WD-40 is great. Definitely don't be afraid to use it. When I have had a thread stuck in the bobbin area that just does not want to come out, I just spray that stuff in there and in just about a minute the thread comes out easily. Love it. Jess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjtinkle Posted April 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 Okay, but why then are we told to NEVER ever use it in the bobbin area of a domestic sewing machine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterfly Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 Hmm. Never thought about that. I'm not sure. Jess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witha'K'quilting Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 probably because most dsm's are computerized. There are many wires, electrical components in the bobbin area of my Husqvarna #1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon M Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 can't do without my WD-40... I keep a can under the kitchen sink to use to get rid of the sticky residue left after removing labels from jars that I want to keep. Definitely shouldn't leave any buildup on anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 Most DSM are made with plastic, rubber, teflon and other materials which can be harmed by lubricants and/or WD-40 type cleaners. Our machines are "industrial" and the majority of the parts are metal and designed to run at high speeds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 OK CJ, I decided that I'd pose this question to my research engineers and see how much info they can give me. As I expected...a lot! LOL Here are two of the responses: 1. WD-40 was developed for water displacement (WD) and the 40th recipe was the charm. It turns out that it does a lot of other things well too. If you put large amounts of WD-40 on a surface and let it air dry, it will leave a film behind. I do not think it would cause build up in a quilting machine unless you just kept spraying it on and fibers began collecting on the wet surfaces. As long as you wipe everything down after using it there should be no problem. 2. The official WD-40 web site lists thousands of uses for it. I have always been amazed at how well it works at so many things. See: http://www.wd40.com/uses-tips/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbigailE Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 This is my favorite use........ Spew Alert! Removes rollerblade marks from kitchen floors (be sure to wipe floor clean after using WD-40), Nuh uh, if you've rollerbladed in my kitchen, you think I'm gonna make it easier for you to do it again? My other fav was that it removes crayon from screen doors...... Interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjtinkle Posted April 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 LOL, love the "spew alert"! Thanks for all the responses and the link Heidi, I'll have to go check that out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustSewSimple Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 This is what Deloa's husband says about WD-40: "Don't use it on your machine!" Yelp, that is what he says. He says aluminum is porus and that WD-40 will get in the crevices and then attract dirt. He says just clean and oil your machine and forget the WD-40. So, that is what I have decided to do. He just "spalined" it good to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 Sylvia I thought Dave said not to use it on your rails, not to not use it in the hook assembly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustSewSimple Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 He said take it out of the sewing room. Honest, I wrote it down. Everyone laughed when I sucked in my breath! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 Mmmm I've had Dave's class and I don't recall him saying that. Maybe something changed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbm Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 It looks like there are strong opinions out there regarding the use of WD-40 on our machines. Guess we'll have to decide for ourselves whether it's a good thing to do. For myself, I trust APQS to not steer us wrong, and they advocate the use of WD-40 in cleaning the hook assembly - and nothing else. One question for those who don't use WD-40 - what do you use to clean oil and lint buildup in the hook area? Maybe there are alternatives for those who can't (or won't) use WD-40. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustSewSimple Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 My friend Gloria was in the class also. I will check with her and see what she understood him to say and see what notes she took. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjtinkle Posted April 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 Well, most of you use the stuff and aren't having any trouble, and it is after all what APQS recommends. My husband is a senior mechanical engineer and he says WD-40 should not be anywhere near a sewing machine. When he gets back from New Orleans, I'm going to ask him to be more specific... I never asked him why. I have an antique Singer (all metal!) and had it totally refurbed, rewired, etc. I was told the same for it, NEVER put WD-40 anywhere near it. Usually, I trust my hubby's input when it comes to this stuff... but not always. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darlene Epp Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 I've been using WD40 on my APQS machines for almost 13 years. An easy way to clean it out is to pour rubbing alcohol from the top *(remove throat plate) while the machine is running slowly. I put a little rubbermaid bowl underneath to catch the alcohol, and you wouldn't believe what washes out sometimes! Then add a drop of oil to the hook and you're ready to roll. BTW, Mike from APQS is the one that suggested I use the alcohol to rinse it out, MANY years ago. He designed the machine and I trust his judgement implicitly, no matter what others say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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