Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (
More info?)
On Thu, 09 Jun 2005 21:17:45 -0700, ric <nospam@home.com>
wrote:
>Franc Zabkar wrote:
>
>> WD40 = Water Displacement formula #40.
>>
>> The only place I use this stuff is on the distributor cap and spark
>> plug leads, and as a rust penetrant. I keep it well away from
>> electronics.
>
>I had great success cleaning and slightly lubing my old ball controlled
>mouse with WD-40. I just let it dry overnight. [This was before optically
>controlled mice became commonplace.]
What need is there for WD40 in a mouse?
The optical sensors would be better without any residue, and
the rollers shouldn't have any WD40 in the middle, only at
the pivotal points (ends), if even that is necessary. I
suspect your mouse works in spite of WD40 rather than
because of it. That is, plain 91% Alcohol should've done
even bettern then a drop of grease on the ends of the
rollers.
WD40 is a water displacer. It is an inferior alternative
for anything else, including lubing, cleaning, and freeing
up rusted bolts/etc, or getting that old carb freed up.
Just my opinion, it may do more passibly but not as well as
common inexpensive alternatives.