Help: Used WD-40 as a Lubricant for PC Case Screws

Posted by Top_Acanthaceae_2105@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 24 comments

I am now aware this was profoundly stupid of me, forgive me it wasn’t the best day.

I used a few squirts of WD-40 on the inside of the case of my PC for the screws near (not on) the GPU, none of it actually hit any major components, but should I be worried about a fire risk? How should I clean it off?

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lcirufe@reddit

Top_Acanthaceae_2105@reddit (OP)

Foolishness, the screws were stuck and I had nothing remotely close to a lubricant, I was already peeved and made an impulsive decision. It happens sometimes.

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TheSultan1@reddit

I've never had case screws get so stuck that I needed a penetrating lubricant to get them out. Easy with the torque, you're putting together a computer, not a car.

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Clarkorito@reddit

Just a general fyi, wd40 only works on stuck screws if it's rust, dried former lubricant, etc in the threads making it stuck. If it's mechanically stuck (e.g. screwed in too hard, cross threaded, etc.) then wd40 isn't going to help any more than introducing any random liquid would, and will be much less effective than using a lubricant. Not much help in your current situation, but hopefully it'll prevent similar mistakes from anyone coming across this in the future.

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Kinnelle@reddit

The accelerent will have gone by now and anything that'll cath fire will slowly degrade.

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adanceparty@reddit

what was the initial issue? I'd assume the screws are stripped if they are getting stuck. If anything I'd just replace the screws. Never felt the need though.

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Schemen123@reddit

Nothing will happen...

Also.. lubricants dont do anything in a pc and for these screws.

These cheap parts have such bad threads that it doesn't matter

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idratherbealivedog@reddit

Fire risk? No. Just wipe off what you can mainly so it doesn't collect dust and gunk.

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Top_Acanthaceae_2105@reddit (OP)

I suppose just 99% isopropyl alcohol?

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idratherbealivedog@reddit

Yeah that's fine. Some on a cue tip if you want to really go at it in tight spaces, or laptop screen cleaner, glasses cleaner etc. If just on easy to reach flat surfaces, pieces of an old tshirt will get the job done. Again, this is just to help with dust clinging to it. There isn't a fire risk or anything urgent.

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