Garage doors, often taken for granted, need regular maintenance to function optimally. And when it comes to ensuring a smooth operation and extending the door's lifespan, lubrication plays an essential role. Two prominent names in the market are WD-40 and Blaster lubricant. This guide will explore the best ways to use these two products to service your garage door and operator.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. The Magic of WD-40

    a. Cleaning the Tracks

    b. Preventing Rust

    c. Dislodging Stuck Hardware

3. Blaster Lubricant: The Garage Door's Best Friend

    a. Lubricating Noisy Chains and Springs

    b. Silencing Noisy Hinges and Rollers

 4. Frequently Asked Questions

1. Introduction

A garage door’s smooth movement is not just about convenience. It also reduces wear and tear, ensuring longevity. Both WD-40 and Blaster lubricant have a job to do when servicing the garage door and operator.  But how do we use them effectively? Let's find out.

2. The Magic of WD-40

Everyone seems to have a can of WD-40 in their garage so we are going to tell you how to use WD-40 to be most effective (and it doesn't include lubrication). WD-40 is best when it is used to clean and protect against rust. Here are some unique ways you can use it for your garage door. 

a. Cleaning the Tracks: Dirt, debris, and gunk accumulate over time on garage door tracks. This can lead to uneven movement and even jamming of the door. Cleaning the grease and dirt out of the tracks helps to ensure proper operation of the garage door. 

Steps to clean the tracks using WD-40:

 1. Ensure the garage door is in a safe position, preferably closed.

 2. Wipe away the larger debris using a cloth or brush.

 3. Spray WD-40 generously onto the tracks.

 4. Let it sit for a couple of minutes.

 5. Use a clean cloth to wipe away the dissolved dirt and grime.

 6. Run the door up and down a few times to ensure smooth movement.

b. Preventing Rust: Rust is the enemy of any metallic structure. It not only spoils the appearance but also weakens the structure. Look for areas near the bottom of the door sections, the bottom of the tracks, and any of the hinges.

Steps to prevent rust using WD-40:

1. Clean the surface of any dirt or debris.

2. Spray WD-40 on areas prone to rusting.

3. Wipe off the excess, leaving a thin layer.

4. Repeat this process every few months, especially in humid regions.

c. Dislodging Stuck Hardware: Over time, bolts, screws, and other hardware on your garage door or its operator can become stiff or stuck due to rust or grime. If you're looking to remove or replace any of these components (like a hinge or bracket) then WD-40 can be sprayed onto these components to help loosen them, making it easier to adjust or replace parts as needed. This is especially useful when you're looking to make minor adjustments or repairs without the struggle of dealing with immovable parts.

3. Blaster Lubricant: The Garage Door's Best Friend

While WD-40 excels in cleaning and preventing rust, Blaster lubricant is a decent cost-effective lubricant when it comes to ensuring seamless movement of the garage door's components.

a. Silencing Noisy Chains and Springs:

A noisy garage door can be both annoying and an indicator of an underlying issue. Spray the lubricant on the chain of the operator. Depending on what type of springs your garage door uses you'll want to lubricate the torsion spring (mounted above the garage door) or the pulleys attached to the extension springs (mounted on either side of the horizontal track).

Steps to silence them using Blaster:

1. Close the garage door.

3. Spray Blaster lubricant generously onto the chains, springs, or pulleys.

4. Operate the door several times to let the lubricant work its magic.

b. Silencing Noisy Hinges and Rollers with Blaster Lubricant:

The hinges and rollers on your garage door play a vital role in its smooth operation. To ensure they remain in top condition, consider the following steps using Blaster lubricant:

Steps to lubricate garage door hinges and rollers using Blaster:

1. Safety First: Ensure the garage door is in a closed position, and the garage door operator (if automatic) is turned off or unplugged.

2. Clean the Area: Follow the steps above using WD-40 and wipe away any dirt or debris from the hinges and rollers using a cloth to ensure a clean application.

3. Apply the Lubricant: Directly spray Blaster lubricant onto each hinge. Ensure that you cover both the pivot point and the sides for optimal performance. Spray the lubricant onto the ball bearings of all of the rollers.

4.Work It In: Manually move the door slightly back and forth (only if it's safe to do so) to help distribute the lubricant evenly across the hinges.

5. Wipe It Down: Use a rag or paper towels to wipe down the hinges, track and springs. Clean up any overspray or drips from the lubricant.

6.Test: Finally, operate the door a couple of times to make sure the hinges move more freely and without any creaking noise. Regular application will prolong the life of the hinges and ensure a seamless door operation.

4. FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use WD-40 as a substitute for Blaster lubricant for rollers?

A: While WD-40 can provide temporary relief, it's not specifically designed for prolonged lubrication like Blaster. It's best to use WD-40 for cleaning and rust prevention.

Q: How often should I lubricate my garage door components?

A: It’s recommended to lubricate moving parts every six months. However, if you notice increased noise or friction, it's time to lubricate. If you use a longer lasting lubricant (like the CRC Chain & Wire Rope Lubricant - see below) then you could probably get away with lubricating the garage door once a year.

Q: Is there any safety precaution I should take while using these products?

A: Always wear protective gloves and glasses. Ensure proper ventilation and keep these products away from children.

What to Purchase?

In conclusion, regular maintenance of your garage door using WD-40 and Blaster lubricant can save you a lot in the long run. While WD-40 excels in cleaning and rust prevention, and is fine to use if that's what you have on hand, a better option is the Orange Degreaser by Chemical Guys. Either of these products can be used to clean the excess grease and dirt from your garage door tracks and by incorporating these products into your maintenance routine, your garage door will function optimally for years to come. 

While the Blaster Garage Door Lubricant is a fine economic lubricant for the general service of your garage door and operator if you want to step it up a level and use a little better lubricant then we would recommend a product made by CRC. The CRC Chain & Wire Rope Lubricant is going to cover the components better and leave a nice lubricating film on the springs, rollers, and hinges. It costs more than the Blaster lubricant but because it works better you won't have to lubricate and service your garage door as often. 

You can find all of the products mentioned above in the links below. These are Amazon affiliate links and we receive a small commission if you purchase the products through our links. But if you don't want to buy the lubricants online then you should be able to find these products at your local Home Depot, Grainger, or hardware store.

Check out lubricant pricing on Amazon.com

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