WD-40 Trigger Pro - Review

If you took all of the construction projects ever attempted in the history of man, all of the skyscrapers, all of the pyramids, all of the bridges and all of the dams, and you could crush them into a one inch by one inch cube, that cube would probably smell like WD-40. WD-40 smells like accomplishment and, like duct tape, it evokes a consensus of admiration from anyone who has ever used it (which is essentially everyone).

But, if you went around and asked people, "what's the worst thing about WD-40?" the answer would be unanimous: "the effin' little red straw that I keep losing." The straw is essential, but it's a pain in the ass and once you lose it, like you always to, there's not much you can do to control the spray of the magic elixir. But here comes WD-40 with a new way to dispense the good stuff. The new container is a non-aerosol spray bottle and we brought one to the site and then into the workshop in order to test it out.

Guess what? It's WD-40 in a Windex bottle. Nothing more, nothing less (well, actually the bottle is metal, so it is a little more). But it's the same functionality with the narrow spray and the wide spray. The WD-40 hasn't changed, so it's all about application. The Trigger Pro doesn't replace the old red straw method, but it doesn't try to. It's just a new and different way of laying down the WD. There are times when only the straw will do the trick, like getting into a cramped engine, for example, but there are also times when the spray bottle is faster and more efficient, like cleaning up the gears on a table saw or lubing up a large chain. Overall, we felt there was more control with the spray bottle because it's easier to limit the amount you're applying.

WD-40 Trigger Pro costs around $13 for a 20oz bottle and is likely to be available where WD-40 is sold. We suggest picking up a bottle.

WD-40 also comes in a one gallon can (like paint thinner), so you could also pick up one of those and a spray bottle to get the same effect. A gallon costs about $20.

Factoid Alert: WD-40 stands for "Water Displacement, 40th formula." It was the 40th, and most successful of the recipes tried for a liquid that would displace water and prevent corrosion. Interesting, eh?

WD-40 at Amazon.com

Share this Article with others:

Duo-Fast Jet-Tac Tack Strip Epoxy - Dec 08, 2010
Autumn Migration - Oct 19, 2010
DAP EnergySaver High Performance Air Leak & Gap Sealant - Review - Sep 14, 2010

Came straight to this page? Visit Tool Snob for all the latest news.

Posted by Doug Mahoney at July 16, 2009 5:06 AM

There's also a WD-40 which has a straw permanently attached by a sort of hinge mechanism: it folds down out of the way (in which position you can spray without the straw, shuld you need to), and up when you want to spray through the straw. Very handy.

Also, shocking as this may sound, i consider GT-85 better than WD-40, because it has PTFE in it, which gives surfaces more tenacious protection from the elements. Although GT-85 doesn't come with a hinge straw!

Posted by: Tom at July 18, 2009 1:36 PM