Locks-best to lubricate them or NOT?

[Nomad]

I have a graphite spray (in an aerosol can - with long nozzle), ideal for freeing sticky brake / throttle cables, also lock internals.
Have been told WD etc is good to free the mechanism but after that dirt etc sticks to the oil and causes things to sieze, so it's best to avoid it.

 

[MattF]

If I happen to come across it, I'll post a photo of the WD40 tub I have here. It'll give a good idea as to why WD isn't recommended, gums things up etc. Granted it's a few years old now, but it achieved the state it's in within a few months of when I first used it, as the solvents flashed off & such. It's literally a tub with the bottom filled with thick goop, and the bolts, nuts & such which I could never be arsed to free from it.

 

[mart]

I got some Graphite powder as mentioned in a few posts. It worked a treat where oil/WD40 failed.

WD40 or oils have their uses, and certain types of locks may be one of them uses. Certainly not in the case of my Yale padlock or the locks in my Upvc doors. I understand others have had different experiences.

It would be logical for me to assume that locks vary in how they are made/contructed inside based on the experiences reported here.

When Graphite spray is mentioned ( as opposed to Graphite powder), are we to assume this is simply the powder in a can that is pressured with air? Cannot think what else it could be. Care is needed if spraying fine Graphite dust around.

 

[PhillipM]

It's usually in a solvent carrier.

 

[brightspark]

It's usually in a solvent carrier.

solvent carrier round our way is some evo stick in a polly bag over your face

 

[bump]

Advice from squire for their locks is to use WD40 to clean out and then a good quality silicon lubricant afterwards.

 

[Bryan Williams]

Couldn't get into the tailgate of my t4 once key turned but barrel didn't lift levers, couldn't access it from inside as I had built a kitchen across it..
Someone suggested giving it a slap around the general area of the lock, this did loosen the barrel.
Took the back panel off, nothing obviously sticking with the mechanism apart from the 25 year old barrel.
Blasted it with wd, then soapy water, hairdryed it, then graphite powder off the bay.
Still so paranoid about bieng locked out again I took the number plate off and cut a 2" hole to access the lever that the barrel worked. Taped it up, number plate back on.
Belt and braces.

 

[Burdekin]

I use grease in a spray can.

 

[Cobbler]

My brother has a T5 California, if the tailgate lock plays up on that, you cannot get in. Inside there are the chairs fitted into a door pocket, then the bed stops you accessing the door, it is a nightmare to open it without destroying it. We took the door panel off & tied a string to the lock actuator rod & tied it off in a position we could get to just in case. If I was to do the same again, I would drill a small hole opposite the lock so I could get a thin screwdriver & flip the lock if need be. Then put a pop rivet in the hole. At least you could drill the rivet out if need be.

 

[premmington]

I use silicon lube spray on automotive locks - I do have Graphite powder I use on big workshop padlocks.

Most automotive locks wear - they are not made of good stuff - we change alot of them in our workshop.

Tailgate key locks sieze thru no use...

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Car keys - don't have huge amounts of keys and trinkets on your bunch of keys - it wears the first few tumblers with the extra wieght hanging on them.

How the humble car key has changed - sold one today fitted and coded for VW - at £450 (yeah that is painfull). Don't buy a car/van with only one key is my humble advice..

 

[Arc Tourist]

I like Teflon powder for locks.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

If the locksmith has told you that thing then you must not use Wd40 at all.

https://wd40.co.uk/specialist/anti-friction-dry-ptfe-lubricant/

 

[vmaximus]

I soak padlocks for the gates and garage in a container of WD40 for a day as soon as they start to become stiff, and it stops them freezing up in winter, never had a problem. Pud.

 

[Rannsachair]

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

i did the same on my Defender, lucky a new lock set was cheap and relatively easy to fit. No more WD40 for me.

I found my shed padlocks kept corroding shut, i suspect because I am not far from the Sea and live in a wet climate, I changed to a Marine Grade Stainless Steel Padlock about 8 years ago, no issues now.

 

[bigegg]

I use gt85 on my locks.

As much cos I like the smell.

 

[Farside]

I use gt85 on my locks.

As much cos I like the smell.

Brylcreme for me.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Brylcreme for me.

That's the locks sorted. What do you use on the hair?

 

[bigegg]

That's the locks sorted. What do you use on the hair?

Goldi-locks?

 

[Seadog]

Best not go there

 

[optima21]

graphite powder for me. I recently had to use the front door on my house and the key was sticking badly, due to lack of use. I was surprised about how well the lock works now