The 2026 Repair Challenge: It's Project Time

Some things are worth saving. That busted-upmotorcyclein the garage. Grandpa's old workbench. The truckthat'sbeen "almost running" for three years. The WD-40_®Brand Repair Challengeexiststoreward those whodon’tsurrender to the junkyard. For 2026,it'sback with a bigger spotlight, more inspiration, and another shot atthe$5,000 grand prize.

Whether you're a professional mechanic, a weekend tinkerer, or someone who just refuses to let a good thing go to waste, this is your invitation to roll up your sleeves, document the process, and show the world what you can bring back to life.

Getting in on the action is simple:

Judging of entries will be based on the following:

Prizesrangeacross multiple tiers — from a $5,000 grand prize down through several runner-up awardsincluding $3,500 & $2,000 cashand$500 & $250gift cardsto Lowe’s.Give it your best shot – astrong entry has agoodshot at winning something!Full prize details and official rules are posted on the Repair Challenge site.

Every year, the Repair Challenge remindsuswhat people are capable of when they commit to a project. One of the standout stories came from the 2024 contest, when an entrant named Bryan entered a1987 Ford Bronco that had sat, motionless, under a tree for two decades. Bryandidn'tknow if the engine would even turn over. Afterfreeing the stuckmotorhe went on to salvage, swap, or repair many partsand finished witha fresh coat of blue paint.

Bryan's Bronco took first place, butit'sfar from the only inspiring build in the Repair Challenge archives — past entries have included restored motorcycles, mended antique furniture, revived heirloom tools, and everything in between. Browse the Repair Challenge galleryto see the full range of stories from past years.

IfBryan's Bronco showswhat'spossible in a home garage, the WD-40 Brand's 2025 partnership with Throtl revealsthe potential ofthat same spiritpushed to the extreme.

Last year, WD-40 Brand andThrotltook on the most ambitious build either team had everattempted: a wrecked, written-offand barely recognizable2005 Ford GT. The team foundone of America's most storied supercars,strippedit downtoa bare chassis, thenrebuiltitfrom the ground up. With no service manualand a tighttimelineto finish before the sheetpullat the SEMA Show,itrequiredan automotive miracle.

TheThrotlteam tore the car down, tackled seized fasteners and corroded components, and rebuilt it with a Doran GT2 carbon fiber body kit, HRE wheels,Wilwoodbrakes, and a full custom suspension and cooling package.Throughout the build, the team leaned on WD-40 Multi-Use Product and WD-40Specialist_®formulas —Penetrantfor stubborn seized bolts,Silicone for rubber seals,Contact Cleaner for electrical connections, and the Precision Penfor detail work — to solve real problems on a car that had every reason to stay in the junkyard.

On bolts thathaven'tmoved in years, a penetrating oil spray gets the job started. The penetrating fluid will work its way intothreads and help preventhardwaregetting over-torquedand broken. For rubber seals exposed to the elements, awater resistantsilicone lubricant keepsthem supple instead of cracking under weather and age.

Notsure what to enter? The Repair Challenge welcomes projects of every size and category. A few ideas to get you thinking:

From a Bronco left for dead to a supercar rebuilt for the SEMA show floor, the Repair Challenge exists to celebrate the people who look at something broken and see potential instead of scrap.It'snot about proving how well WD-40 Brand products work —it'sabout proving what you can do with a little time, the right tools, and a project that means something to you.

Sofind that thing in your garage, basement, or backyardthat'sbeen waiting for some attention. Document the journey, tell your story, and enter the 2026 Repair Challengetoday. You might just walk away with a prize — and either way,you'llwalk away with something saved.