A simple, non scientific test to compare viscosity, lubrication and protection of bare metal from aggressive (in this case, immersion in a saturated solution of sodium cloride).
A brief description of the tests.
Viscosity: the products have been applied to a plastic surface to evaluate the viscosity and in my opinion Ballistol gelifies faster and leaves a thicker layer on the long term. WD-40 is more liquid when sprayed and contains a higher amount of solvent which evaporates leaving only a thin layer of product.
Lubrication: I used a copper cube which has been placed on a glass surface and progressively inclined from 0° to a maximum of 14°. Ballistol allowed the cube to start moving between 10° and 11° and then the cube slipped rapidly to the end of the glass without need of external intervention. WD-40 kept the cube steady until the maximum angle of apprx 14° has been reached and only moved beacuse of the bump I gave to the screw at the end of the thread.
Protection: after 15 minutes immersion in salted water and 7 days exposition to air, Ballistol was in large part removed or dissolved by salted water and therefore the metal remained exposed and was heavily oxidized. WD-40 created a thinner but compact layer and therefore protected the metal almost perfectly.
My conclusion is that Ballistol is a more versatile grease and creates a good lubrication, WD-40 is brobably also good in lubricating but has a kind of gluish consistence which is very helpful when it comes to metal protection.
Even if I have been a big fan of Ballistol and I will continue to use it, I must admit that WD-40 was absolutely fantastic and superior in the protection test.
Any comments are welcome and thanks for watching.
