WD-40 Vs. PB Blaster: What's The Difference?

Whether you're battling a rusty bolt or silencing a squeaky hinge, you've probably reached for a can of WD-40. However, there's a lesser-known contender that may work more effectively for certain jobs: PB B'laster. The two products might seem interchangeable, from application methods to the similar packaging, but there are some important differences that can make one a better choice than the other, depending on the project.

The classic WD-40 most people are familiar with is officially called WD-40 Multi-Use Product. True to its name, it's designed to tackle a broad range of jobs. According to the manufacturer, the uses for WD-40 include displacing moisture, protecting metal against rust and corrosion, lubricating moving parts, and penetrating stuck components. PB B'laster, on the other hand, is specifically marketed as a penetrant and is designed to seep into rusted or frozen components to help break them apart, while leaving behind a residue that helps prevent future corrosion and rust.

In other words, both products can penetrate and lubricate stuck metal parts, but WD-40 Multi-Use has a wider range of uses, whereas PB B'laster has a more specialized focus on stubborn rust and corrosion.

For everyday jobs, WD-40 Multi-Use Product is generally the more versatile of the two. Along with loosening stuck components, WD-40 recommends its flagship Multi-Use product for lubricating and protecting things like hinges, gears, threads, and tools. Its moisture-displacing capabilities also come in handy for protecting rust-prone metals on tools and equipment exposed to rain, chronically damp conditions, or other moisture problems that could eventually lead to corrosion. WD-40 also suggests its Multi-Use formula for cleaning grime from metal surfaces and freeing rusted or frozen locks. In essence, if you're tackling a squeaky hinge, maintaining metal tools, or dealing with a relatively minor stuck component, WD-40 is well-suited to the task.

PB B'laster is the can to reach for when severe rust and corrosion have turned a simple repair into a fruitless battle against chemistry. The manufacturer recommends its penetrant for rusted or frozen nuts and bolts, pipe threads, and virtually any other components that are corroded, frozen, or stuck together. Despite this relatively pigeonholed functionality, its applications vary widely from plumbing and household repairs to automotive, marine, and industrial equipment.

Aside from its flagship product, WD-40 also offers Specialist Penetrant, which is a much closer comparison to PB B'laster. Unlike the company's classic Multi-Use formula, Specialist Penetrant is specifically designed to break apart rusted metal parts and leave a lubricating film that helps prevent future rust and corrosion.