Locks-best to lubricate them or NOT?

[mart]

I always thought it was best to lubricate moving parts I foobarred two locks by lubricating. At Least I assume that was the cause.

The first was one of them lever locks on a Upvc door-are they called barrel locks? I used a spray lubricant on that one and made it worse.

The other was a well known branded brass padlock. I put some oil on that one as it was outdoors on my gates. The next thing it stopped working.

What do you think?

EDIT:
Can anyone recommend a quality padlock that will last many years outdoors please?

 

[Robotstar5]

A locksmith gave me tin of graphite dry lube to use on locks, he said one of the worst things use was WD40 yet everyone used to squirt it into car door locks

 

[123hotchef]

A locksmith gave me tin of graphite dry lube to use on locks, he said one of the worst things use was WD40 yet everyone used to squirt it into car door locks

I use graphite powder in my locks comes in a handy little bottle with a pull up spout

 

[daleyd]

I've used wd40 on padlocks that are starting to stick, I can't say I've ever had a problem. If they are sticky before then they aren't afterwards, and it's certainly never made them worse. I did the same when my Upvc front door lock started to become stiff, again it was much better after.

I have a cheap(ish) Abus brass padlock on my shed door, it's lasted for years with nothing other than the very occasional spray of oil.

 

[Kent]

I always thought it was best to lubricate moving parts I foobarred two locks by lubricating. At Least I assume that was the cause.

The first was one of them lever locks on a Upvc door-are they called barrel locks? I used a spray lubricant on that one and made it worse.

The other was a well known branded brass padlock. I put some oil on that one as it was outdoors on my gates. The next thing it stopped working.

What do you think?

EDIT:
Can anyone recommend a quality padlock that will last many years outdoors please?

On fine detail locks like euro cylinder rub a pencil on a clean key and run it in and out. Regularly
On some padlocks you need to lube with a quality spray lube

 

[rtbcomp]

A locksmith gave me tin of graphite dry lube to use on locks, he said one of the worst things use was WD40 yet everyone used to squirt it into car door locks

I've used the same stuff, also given to me by a locksmith - generous people these locksmiths

 

[PhillipM]

It's usually because all the crap that accumulates on the key then sticks inside the lock and builds up until it jams something - use dry graphite powder instead.

 

[mart]

A locksmith gave me tin of graphite dry lube to use on locks, he said one of the worst things use was WD40 yet everyone used to squirt it into car door locks

That was the spray I used

Also been squirting in to door locks.

 

[Popcorn]

I use multi grade 20/50, winter or summer

 

[mart]

I use multi grade 20/50, winter or summer

Doesen't the viscosity impede the spraying action.

 

[addjunkie]

I must be old I use 3 in 1. We have a matched set of 10 locks for the sheds etc not had a problem, water in them does freeze in winter can make you think the lock is us.

 

[MattF]

Oil will rarely cause problems with a lock, especially a light oil. Never yet knacked a lock by oiling it.

water in them does freeze in winter can make you think the lock is us.

Had to cup my hands around the shed locks a few times, to unfreeze them.

 

[Migmac]

We wrecked our 306’s locks by using WD. Main dealer was great and replaced the full set and gave us a bottle of what I presume was graphite powder. I now only clean locks with WD, I lube with graphite

 

[clift_d]

Dry graphite powder lubricant is the best thing to use on locks. Using oil or WD40 provides a medium that traps dust and can gum the lock up.

 

[Gareth J]

If it's a padlock that is just gummed up and otherwise not too corroded, worn or trashed, you can dunk them in a solvent and work them while submerged. Blow out with an airline and repeat. Should dissolve any gummy oil and loosen dirt.

Then, when clean(er) and dry, you can relube with whatever light oil (not wd40)

 

[MoreWellie]

rub a pencil on a clean key and run it in and out

+1 on door keys. Soft pencils are best

I use 3 in 1

+1 on padlocks

 

[Popcorn]

Doesen't the viscosity impede the spraying action.

Thumbs aren't strong enough to get into spray, with my traditional oil can

 

[Allthegearnoidea]

I work a lot with special industrial locks for safety applications. Some types of lock that look like a round peg recommended WD40 by the manufacturers. Some of the other types of lock recommended graphite powder. I actually found at home the absolutely best thing had been a dry lube for bike chains. I think it’s Teflon in an alcohol carrier. The alcohol evaporated off leaving the Teflon. From what I understand the problem with oils and grease is they attract dirt which eventually ruins the lock.

 

[brightspark]

ive had my chubb padlock on the garage 35 years its only ever had a few squirts of wd 40 and a squirt of 20 fifty engine oil in it

 

[Farside]

The euro lock on my door gets a bit iffy every five years or so. I give it a hosing out with brake cleaner, then a dose of PTFE spray if I've got some, if not, a squirt of ATF in an oil can. Restores the action lovely, it does.