This well-known tire manufacturer is more than one of the world’s largest tire and rubber manufacturers, it's a household name brand we all know and love. The company has kept the world rolling since the early 1900s, when it was founded. 

The company produces a wide range of products, but it is particularly renowned for its tires. The company manufactures tires for various applications, including passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, construction and mining vehicles, agricultural machinery, and aircraft. 

So, when the team at the WD-40_® company had an opportunity improve performance for the tire maker had, we jumped at the chance. 

For years, the tire maker’s team had been a loyal user of Kroil penetrant products - KS102 and KS132 – specifically.

This case study presents the head-to-head challenge, the test, and the results the tire maker’s team experienced in a head-to-head test between the solution they’ve used for years - Kroil - against WD-40 Specialist Penetrant.

WD-40 Specialist Penetrant is a fast-acting penetrant with capillary action to penetrate deep into crevices, threads, and seams to break the rust bonds that hold stuck parts together.

Learn more about WD-40 Specialist Penetrant here

The tire maker’s team wanted to test WD-40 Specialist Penetrant against Kroil (KS102 and KS132). This test would help determine which penetrant would be the longest lasting penetrant for O-ring seals in their hydraulic cylinders.

An O-ring seal in a hydraulic cylinder is a type of gasket or sealing device that is used to prevent the leakage of fluid within the hydraulic system. Hydraulic cylinders are crucial components in various machinery and equipment. They provide linear force and motion through the use of pressurized hydraulic fluid.

The O-ring is a simple, doughnut-shaped sealing ring typically made of elastomeric materials, such as rubber or synthetic compounds. O-ring seals in hydraulic cylinders are critical for continued performance.

They decided to run a test by placing seals into beakers of both products. The team was surprised to see deterioration of the seals in Kroil. 

The results of this test proved that WD-40 Specialist Penetrant far outlasted the Kroil products in preserving the integrity of seals.

End user did want to test product.  In their mind, at the time, there wasn’t a current challenge.  Employee decided to run a test by placing seals into beakers of both products and was surprised to see deterioration of the seals in kroil.

After a set period of time, the tire maker’s team inspected the O-rings. The results are conclusive:

• Kroil = signs of damage to the O-ring seal

• WD-40 Specialist Penetrant = no signs of damage to the O-ring seal

In other words, Kroil’s solution did not last as long and was not as efficacious as WD-40 Specialist Penetrant.

These test results, along with several other factors.  Upfront cost, penetrating ability, and smart straw option.

The tire company was using 3-5 cases per week of Kroil.

After reviewing data, total comparable case consumption of WD-40 Specialist Penetrant was the cost-saving option.

The tire maker’s team was able to cut down to just 2 cases per week of WD-40 Specialist_® Penetrant.

Human personnel are the most valuable resource of any company. That’s why keeping people safe from hazardous materials in the workplace must be a primary objective of manufacturing and industrial companies.

This is another key area where WD-40 Specialist Penetrant stands above Kroil products.

You see:

• Kroil products require a CA prop 65 warning for beta-myrcene

• WD-40 Specialist_® Penetrant, and all other WD-40 branded products, do NOT require a Prop 65 warning.

This means that, not only KS102 and KS132 inferior to WD-40 Specialist Penetrant from product performance perspective, but Kroil products use chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer or reproductive harm. WD-40 Specialist Penetrant is not only the more effective option, your workforce will enjoy the peace of mind, knowing that it’s also the safer option.

Cost reduction and performance are foundational to the success of every company. That’s why we encourage companies to put WD-40 industrial products to the test. In this case, WD-40 Specialist_® Penetrant has clearly out-performed the competition in a head-to-head test. But what are the bottom-line savings the tire company experienced by switching? 

• $10 cost/can difference leads to $6,240 in yearly savings for two cases per week.

Based on usage of Kroil - which was 3 cases per week - as compared to just 2 cases per week of WD-40 cost savings:

• One case per week at $18 cost/can for Kroil provides $5,616 in yearly savings.

Total Annual Savings = $12,036 Yearly*

*Conservative estimate of Kroil price. Savings do not include any possible downtime or product loss costs.

Learn more about how to get the job done right, with WD-40 Specialist products.

Everyone knows WD-40 Brand for its iconic Multi-Use Product (the Original WD-40 Formula), a versatile product that can help with a variety of everyday, less-demanding projects. However, WD-40 Brand also has more than a dozen professional-grade, high-performance products formulated to tackle demanding challenges in industrial/ commercial settings and environments. WD-40 Specialist offers a full line of specialized solutions to job specific needs for a broad range of industries. These product solutions include Penetrant, Gel Lube, Dry Lube, Contact Cleaner, Degreaser, White Lithium Grease and more. The WD-40 company brings that same trusted quality to industrial companies.

WD-40 Specialist Penetrant is a low odor formula that works on contact to free rusted nuts, bolts, threads, locks, and chains leaving behind a protective layer that prevents rust and corrosion from re-forming.

WD-40 Specialist Penetrant comes in two delivery formats for your convenience.

One option is WD-40 Specialist Penetrant with Smart Straw – which enables you to Spray 2 Ways_® - up for stream and down for a wider spray.

WD-40 Specialist Penetrant also features the EZ-Reach option – which includes a flexible, bendable straw that makes it easier to access hard to reach places.

Key Features and Benefits of WD-40 Specialist Penetrant:

• Penetrates rust to free up stuck, frozen, or seized equipment and parts
• Penetrates up to 2x faster than the competition*
• Prevents rust 10x longer than the competition**
• Safe to use on metal, rubber and plastic parts
• Ideal for use on nuts, bolts, threads and locks
• 50-state VOC compliant
• Does not require CA-Prop 65 Warning

* Test Lab: Fred Cuneo (3rd Party); Nail Climb Test; Test date: 03/2021.

** Test Lab: WD-40 Co. Technical Center (Pine Brook, NJ); ASTM B117; Test date: 02/2021.

Bridgestone Tire increased their results and saved money by switching to the trusted performance of WD-40, but what about your company?

Perhaps you have machinery that engages in critical functions that necessitate the use of the penetrating oil performance of WD-40 Specialist Penetrant.

• WD-40 Specialist Penetrant loosens seized screws and rusted-bonded parts in minutes.
• It protects tools, vehicles, and metal surfaces from corrosion.
• It boosts efficiency in fabrication shops by keeping hinges, fasteners and pulleys moving.

We could name countless other applications but you owe it to your team to learn more about how to get the job done right, with WD-40 Specialist Penetrant. Learn More.