If you find yourself in a tug of war with your sliding glass door, or if it makes noise when you open or close it, it could be because the tracks are a bit dry. Lubricating your sliding door with a fast-acting grease spray like WD-40 can help mitigate the issue. So, how do you use WD-40 to lubricate sliding glass doors?
To lubricate your sliding door with WD-40, you’ll need a screwdriver, a vacuum cleaner, and blotting paper. Before applying the lubricant, inspect the rollers and tracks for damage, remove the upper covers, then clear any dirt and debris. Finally, add WD-40 and reapply the upper covers.
Sliding glass doors have a more complex operating system than a typical door. This is why they require maintenance regularly. Let’s get into the details of the lubrication process and look at the pros and cons of lubricating sliding glass doors with WD-40.
Can You Use WD-40 on Sliding Glass Door Tracks?
You can use WD-40 (on Amazon) to lubricate and loosen corroded, rusted, and stuck sliding glass door tracks. WD-40 is dense, fast-acting, and allows for long-lasting lubrication. The lubricant is also very easy to apply and doesn’t drip.
How to Lubricate Sliding Glass Doors With WD-40
The constant use of sliding glass doors inevitably leads to a few common issues like creaking noises or trouble sliding the door. You’ll need to execute regular and proper maintenance by cleaning and lubricating the door with WD-40 so that it stays in excellent condition for years to come.
Let’s look at how to lubricate your sliding glass door properly.
Materials Needed
Before you can lubricate your sliding glass door, you’ll need to gather a few materials. They include:
- Screwdriver
- Vacuum cleaner
- WD-40 Specialist Long-Lasting Grease Spray (on Amazon)
- Blotting paper
Clean Debris and Dust from Tracks
Cleaning the tracks before applying lubricant is very important. This step ensures that you get rid of debris that can cause the lubricant to clump up, obstructing access to the tracks. Use a toothpick or untangled wire to remove debris stuck in tight areas on the track.
Inspect the upper roller and its relative door track, then clean and lubricate them. You can also adjust or reverse the sliding glass door when necessary. If the door sticks or grinds against the lower track when you slide it, you need to adjust the roller lower so that it pushes the door upward.
To access the sliding system, use a screwdriver to remove the upper covers of the door on both sides. Turn the adjusting screw at the bottom of the door between the track rails.
Turning the screw clockwise lowers the wheel and raises the door. Turning it in the opposite direction raises the wheel and lowers the door. But if you back the screw out entirely, it enables you to remove the wheel for replacement.
Once you’ve confirmed everything is okay, use your vacuum cleaner to blow away all the loose bits of dirt and dust. First, clean one side of the door, then the other and repeat the sequence for the door frame and the track area as well. The track area may be full of loose pet hair or other debris, so ensure you get it all while cleaning.
When you’re done, grab a non-abrasive home cleaner and spray a little over the door. Use blotting paper to rub the solution on the door until it’s sparkling clean, then apply the lubricant.
Apply WD-40 and Reapply Covers
Apply WD-40 directly on top of the sliding door track. Next, spray the lubricant on the bottom door tracks, wheels, and rollers, then slide the door back and forth a few times to ensure the entire track is well lubricated.
Take a clean rag and wipe off any lubricant outside the track to avoid creating potential slipping hazards. Reapply the upper covers, and your sliding glass door is ready to roll.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Lubricating Sliding Glass Doors With WD-40?
WD-40 is an excellent lubricant with several benefits, but it has a few downsides too. Here are its pros and cons:
WD-40 Pros
- It’s a water-resistant lubricant that works on both metal and non-metal surfaces such as plastic, rubber, vinyl, and glass surfaces.
- It dries fast and doesn’t leave behind a staining film that attracts dirt.
- It’s VOC compliant.
- It’s a dense and fast-acting silicone lubricant.
- It can withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -100℉ to 500℉.
- It improves the sliding capabilities of any surface exponentially.
WD-40 Cons
- Inhaling WD-40 may cause nasal and respiratory irritation and other side effects like headache, nausea, and dizziness. When spraying the lubricant on your sliding glass door tracks, take extra caution and put on a mask.
- WD-40 is harmful to your skin, so be careful that it doesn’t come into contact with your skin while spraying it on your door tracks. A little skin contact with the lubricant may cause moderate skin irritation, and short-term exposure can lead to redness, itching and burning. Prolonged or repeated exposure may cause allergic skin reactions and severe skin problems.
- Eye contact with WD-40 may cause redness, swelling, stinging and tearing.
- It’s harmful to children, and if they swallow it, they may suffer from gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, drowsiness and other central nervous system effects. Therefore, keep WD-40 out of the reach of children.