Prepping Essentials: Duct Tape and WD-40 To The Rescue

Duct Tape and WD-40

“All of life’s problems can be solved with two things—duct tape and WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn’t, you need duct tape. And if it doesn’t move and it should, you need WD- 40.”—Unknown

We’ve probably all heard that quote more than once, and like all funny sayings there is a bit of truth to it.  As a result, Duct Tape and WD-40 are handy items for preppers.  You’ve probably got a bit of both around the house.  If you are like many people, you have a limited supply of tools, . . . and some Duct Tape and WD-40.

The uses for these items is limited mostly by your imagination.

For instance, some of us might think the owner of the vehicle pictured ought to shop for a new one, but the owner of this one wants to get a bit more mileage out of his existing vehicle.  Lack of funds can stimulate the imagination required. 

How to Insure You Have Enough

Duct Tape and WD-40 are available in all sorts of locations.  Not only will you find them in any hardware or home improvement store, but you can often find them by walking down the home improvement aisle of a grocery store.  That would be the aisle that used to have light bulbs, until incandescent bulbs were banned by the Greens.    (Okay, I just violated the No Politics rule, but the point is true!)

In a long running SHTF situation, you may find yourself having to “fix” things, as getting the proper parts, tools, or materials may be impossible due to closed stores, lack of transportation, nuclear fallout, or some other impediment.  As a result, having plenty of Duct Tape and WD-40 on hand would be a good thing if SHTF.

Buy Duct Tape and WD-40 in Bulk

I have a method for insuring that I have plenty of both around.  I buy them in quantity, and then I forget where I stored them!  Then when I see either one in a store, I try to remember where I put it the last time I made a purchase.  If I can’t remember, then it is time to buy more.    I’m pretty sure that I currently have some in each car trunk, my toolbox in the garage, the kitchen junk drawer (the drawer that has all the tools that are supposed to be in the garage that my wife took and never returned), the attic with my preps, . . .  Your method may be a bit more elegant. 

Now that you have a supply on hand, you can let your imagination help you figure out how to solve your problem du jour.  For instance:

On the other hand, that example might also explain why the well blew up in the first place. 

Bug Out Bag

My basic approach to Bug Out Bags is to try to cover each of my Supply Categories for a limited period of time, so I need some tools and materials like Duct Tape and WD-40.  For the WD-40, I like the pen sized containers, and for the Duct Tape, I like one of the small, 20 yard rolls.  I then take the Duct Tape roll and smash it flat so it fits in the bag a bit better.  Toss in a Swiss Army Knife, or Leatherman and some paracord, a flashlight, and you have a decent tool kit for a Bug Out Bag.

Summary

Duct Tape and WD-40 are extremely versatile products, as indicated by the quote that began this post.  Whether you are handy, or not, you should always have some on hand.  If you’re putting together a prepper tool kit, these items belong among your tools.

Don’t forget to bring your imagination as well!