WD-40 Specialist Industrial-Strength Cleaner & Degreaser
Priced as of May 10, 2026
4.5(1,987 ratings)Subscribe & Save: $14.59 (5% off)Buy on AmazonSaved to your guest loadout. Sign up to also save to your Cabinet (consumables) or Kit (tools you own).
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Prices may varyHealth score is for adult use as intended, per the manufacturer's SDS. It does not model child ingestion, accidental spill cleanup, or off-label use. See the safety panel below for full hazard classification, and /disclaimer for the full editorial scope.
From the Safety Data Sheet
Full SDS ↗ (rev. 2018-07-19)GHS hazard codes are quoted from the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet. PPE tiers below translate those codes and the listed ingredient chemistry; they are not CarCareTruth recommendations.
EyesSituationalMfr. SDS §8SkinSituationalMfr. SDS §8LungsSituationalMfr. SDS §8Ventilation—No PPE in published sourcesShow details for all categories ▾Hide details ▴
From the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet, Section 8
“SDS §2 carries no eye H-code — no H318, H319, or H320 at the mixture level. The overhead-spray scenario (leaning over the engine bay while applying upward into the underside of the hood) is the specific documented trigger. SDS §8 lists safety goggles as a precaution. No chemistry driver forces a higher tier.”
— WD-40
CarCareTruth publishes the cited sources verbatim and does not advise what action a user should take. Consult the full SDS before use.
From the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet, Section 8
“SDS §2 carries no skin H-code — no H314, H315, or H317. SDS §8 directs gloves for prolonged or repeated contact, citing the alkaline pH. Brief contact during normal engine-bay spray-and-rinse use does not trigger glove use; extended commercial exposure does.”
— WD-40
CarCareTruth publishes the cited sources verbatim and does not advise what action a user should take. Consult the full SDS before use.
From the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet, Section 8
“SDS §2 carries no inhalation H-code — no H334, H335, or H331 at the mixture level. VOC is 0% per SDS §9. The enclosed-space trigger captures trigger-spray mist accumulating in a closed garage; outdoor or open-garage use does not require respiratory protection.”
— WD-40
CarCareTruth publishes the cited sources verbatim and does not advise what action a user should take. Consult the full SDS before use.
No PPE specified in published sources for ventilation. Absence does not imply “not needed” — consult the full Safety Data Sheet.
PPE tiers translate the manufacturer’s SDS and U.S. regulatory standards. Not professional safety advice. How we report safety.
The Podium · Top 3 in Engine Degreaser
See the full ranking →This product ranks #3 of 9 in Engine Degreaser.
- Gold · #1Chemical GuysSignature Series Orange DegreaserCCT 7.4
- Silver · #2Purple PowerIndustrial Strength Cleaner/DegreaserCCT 7.4
- Bronze · #3You're hereWD-40Specialist Industrial-Strength Cleaner & DegreaserCCT 7.4
CarCareTruth's Analysis
Last reviewed May 26, 2026
TL;DR Handles moderate engine-bay grime without the DANGER-level chemistry this category usually requires. No GHS classification, EPA Safer Choice certified, 0% VOC, confirmed biodegradable. RTU only; no dilution option.
What it is and how it performs
Water-based, non-aerosol trigger spray sold ready to use at full strength. Community threads on r/AutoDetailing and Autogeek place it in the Simple Green Crystal tier — solid for routine engine-bay maintenance, limited on heavily caked-on grease. Surface compatibility is broad: plastics, rubber, neoprene, aluminum, stainless steel, carbon fiber, copper, chrome, and painted covers are all listed as safe. Built-in corrosion inhibitors protect bare aluminum that aggressive alkaline degreasers can oxidize on extended dwell.
Who should buy this — and who should skip it
Best fit for owners who want clean chemistry and broad surface compatibility for routine engine-bay upkeep. Skip it for a heavily neglected motor — a stronger alkaline or solvent-based concentrate cuts faster. Skip it if dilution flexibility matters; Simple Green Pro HD gives more per-ounce value and adjustable ratios.
Safety and environmental impact
The SDS carries no GHS classification — no signal word, no H-codes, no pictograms at the mixture level. The alkaline pH (10.5–<11.5) means SDS §8 directs situational precautions: eye protection in overhead-spray scenarios, gloves for prolonged contact. No respiratory protection is directed — no inhalation H-codes, 0% VOC.
SDS §12 confirms "readily biodegradable according to OECD 301B." EPA Safer Choice certified, CARB compliant, no Prop 65 warning — the top environmental profile in the category. Rinse onto grass or soil where possible; engine-bay runoff carries dissolved motor oil regardless of the degreaser's chemistry.
Frequently asked questions
Is WD-40 Specialist Cleaner & Degreaser different from regular WD-40?▾
Yes — completely different chemistry and purpose. Regular WD-40 Multi-Use Product is a petroleum-distillate lubricant and corrosion inhibitor; it is not a cleaner. The WD-40 Specialist Cleaner & Degreaser is a water-based, EPA Safer Choice certified cleaner with 0% VOC and a biodegradable formula. Do not substitute one for the other. If you spray regular WD-40 on an engine bay hoping to degrease it, you will add oil residue, not remove it.
Does this product need to be diluted?▾
No — it is ready to use at full strength. There is no dilution ratio to calculate, and the 1-gallon refill is the same RTU concentration as the 32-oz trigger spray, not a concentrate. If you want a concentrate degreaser with dilution flexibility for different contamination levels, look at products like Chemical Guys Signature Series Orange Degreaser or Simple Green Pro HD.
What surfaces is this safe to use on?▾
WD-40's product page lists: plastics, rubber, neoprene, aluminum, stainless steel, carbon fiber, copper, chrome, and painted areas. The formula is non-corrosive per the SDS, and added corrosion inhibitors protect metal surfaces — which is a meaningful differentiator against heavy alkaline degreasers that can oxidize bare aluminum on extended dwell. Do not use on unfinished wood, suede, leather, or absorbent materials. Spot-test painted engine covers before a full application.
How does the EPA Safer Choice certification affect the score?▾
EPA Safer Choice certification is independently verified by the EPA and signals that every ingredient in the formula meets the EPA's criteria for human health and environmental safety. On CarCareTruth it contributes to both the health score (+0.5) and the environment score (+2.0). Combined with the OECD 301B biodegradability confirmation and 0% VOC, this product earns the best available environment profile in the engine-degreaser category.
Will this work on a heavily neglected, caked-on greasy engine bay?▾
Likely yes on moderate engine-bay grime with a 3–5 minute dwell and brush agitation, but expect limitations on extreme accumulated grease. Community consensus positions this product as effective on typical dirty engine bays, similar to Simple Green Crystal, but notes that heavy baked-on grease from a neglected high-mileage work truck may require multiple passes or a stronger solvent-based degreaser. The bio-solvent formula is genuinely milder than the H314/H318 corrosive alkaline degreasers — which means less surface risk but potentially more dwell time or agitation on tough jobs.
From the manufacturer
Marketing copy from WD-40, via Amazon. Not editorial.
- •Powerful grease remover and grime fighter in a bio-solvent formula with durable, shatter-resistance trigger and convenient refill port; no funnel needed and no-mess
- •Safe to use on multiple surfaces. Unlike other degreasers, this formula will prevent glass from etching and aluminum, copper, and metal from corroding and flash rust
- •Non-flammable, non-corrosive, non-abrasive, low-odor formula that can be used in food-processing facilities
- •Formula meets U.S. EPA Safer Choice Standards and is 50-state VOC compliant. NSF Registered A1, A2, A4, A8, B1
- •Excellent for cleaning greasy automotive parts, tools, shop floors, industrial machinery, commercial appliances, and equipment
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Manufacturer videos
Manufacturer images
Manufacturer specifications
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer
- No
- Product Dimensions
- 9 x 5 x 10 inches; 8.5 Pounds
- Item model number
- 300363
- Date First Available
- April 11, 2017
- Manufacturer
- WD-40 Company
- ASIN
- B06ZYF1JSX
- Best Sellers Rank
- See Top 100 in Health & Household
- Item Form
- Liquid
- Scent
- Unscented
- Specific Uses For Product
- Glass
- Surface Recommendation
- Plastic
- Special Features
- Non-abrasive,Refill
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Top Amazon review
↗External — Amazon's most-helpful review for context.
Love the product
I love this product. It's great for cleaning stains and mopping the floors. My house smelled very fresh.