Why You Should Never Use WD-40 on a Garage Door

Aug 03, 2022

WD-40 and duct tape. Can’t all problems be fixed with WD-40 and duct tape? Well, almost—and you might be tempted to reach for that blue can like you’ve done a hundred times before in order to fix a noisy garage door.

But even if your house has the honor of having the loudest garage door on the street… STOP! Put down the can and heed this advice: do not use WD-40 (or any other similar type of penetrating oil) anywhere on your garage door. WD-40 certainly has its place, but it’s not on garage doors.

Interior Garage Door

The spray isn’t actually a lubricant. The WD stands for “water displacement” and it’s made to push water away so you can clean metal that’s been exposed to moisture. Water displacing penetrating oils (such as WD-40) will soften plastic, nylon or rubber components, which is especially bad if you have nylon rollers. The spray can also damage a garage door’s powder coat finish.

Water Displacement Spray

So, what should you use to quiet a noisy door? Choose Clopay Pro Lube or other synthetic oil designed to prevent rusting, corrosion, sticking and squeaking on metal parts.

And honestly, it’s going to be one of the easiest chores on your to-do list.

Garage Door Lubrication Steps

Even if your door isn’t making a ton of noise, it’s a good idea to check it a few times a year to see if it needs lubrication, particularly if you live near the coast or a wooded area where salt air and tree debris can gum-up the tracks.

Also, if you experience harsh winters, make sure your door is properly lubricated before the cold temperatures arrive to keep it running smoothly.

Watch the following video to see which garage door parts to lubricate.