Stop using WD-40 on elevator guide rails. It's not a solution.

I keep running into maintenance guys who spray WD-40 on guide rails to quiet down a noisy elevator. That stuff is a cleaner and a light lubricant, it's not meant for the weight and friction of elevator rails. I had a job last month in a 12-story building where someone did this and the car started jerking after three weeks because the WD-40 just attracted dust and gummed everything up. You need a proper rail grease like Shell Gadus or an OEM spec lubricant. If you're using WD-40 on rails, what are you actually using for the ropes and bearings? Has anyone else seen this shortcut cause a call back?

3 comments

3 Comments

calebc401mo ago

Yeah that dust and grit sandwich is a real headache to clean out later.

phoenix5731mo ago

That dust and grit sandwich is brutal to clean, but did you find any damage to the rail surface itself from the WD-40 buildup?

laura_chen411mo ago

That 12-story job sounds like a nightmare, I've seen the exact same thing happen after someone tried to cheap out on maintenance. It's frustrating because the right grease costs a bit more but saves a ton of callbacks.