Q: My question revolves around WD-40 and other lubricants for machines. Do you know of one that can be used to work on machines without posing a contamination risk in the powder itself?
If not, what are some best practices to follow to give the best chance of success after performing some preventative maintenance that might include some WD-40 to get things running right?
A: WD-40 “Multi-Use Product” is an amazing material and very good lubricant. Nevertheless, WD-40 can be the scourge of a finishing system, causing phantom fish-eye cratering in paint and powder coatings.
What’s more, a little goes a long way in damaging parts. Therefore, it is requisite to avoid this menacing agent at all costs. But what to use instead?
Here are a couple of possibilities:
- Some shops swear by a non-silicone IES product (https://iesproducts.com/products/4550). In this case, you are trading fish-eye craters for the toxic PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) that come along for the ride with the PTFE contained in this lubricant. Please check with your safety officer for guidance.
- Another lubricant to consider is supplied by Graco, a global application equipment manufacturer (https://www.paintsprayer.parts/111265-LUBRICANT-TUBE-Graco-Original-Part/). I trust Graco to recommend a product proven not to create fish-eye crater headaches. It can be rather pricey, however.
Regardless of which material you are considering, it is wise to have one of your lab guys run a deliberate coating contamination test (0.1% or lower level) and confirm that it’s okay.