Best way to clean locks?

[Boberto]

Ive been given an Ingersoll padlock. It looks like a wafer lock and the barrell will turn about 20 degrees just with tension. Im sure the shackle comes off when its open. However its so bunged up with grit and black oil and dirt I can open it. It has a key but I dont think its the right one.

So whats the best way to really clean it out. I was thinking a petrol bath or two then a good oil. So what really is the best way to clean a lock up?

[femurat]

I'd give it a good petrol bath. Then wear safety glasses and flush it with compressed air. Petrol should leave enough "oil" to lubricate the lock without gumming it up.
Try a little search and you'll find dozens of posts like this here on the forum...

Cheers

[Boberto]

Thanks,

I did a few searches but only found one about cleaning but the fella never said how he did it...

Regards,
B.

[dls]

petrol to dissolve the grease.
then blast out the dirt with air.
a small magnet or magnetic screwdriver will remove any iron based particles that remain.
and a long soak in vinegar will remove most of the corrosion in the brass parts.
after all that wash out again tapping the lock on a block of wood with the keyhole facing down.
lastly an ultrasonic bath will finish the job nicely but dont use air this time just tap the lock on a block of wood again any dirt left will only get pushed back into the lock with air

[Boberto]

Nice thanks, I was thinking along those lines.

What could a locksmith do "on the job" with such a lock. Lets assume its not a padlock.

[dls]

As a locksmith you are charging for your time so the customer deserves to get their moneys worth. If the lock can be disassembeld and cleaned then i will always do that but only if i can stand over its future reliability or suitability for the job(many locks in use are not up to their intended purpose). if its a padlock or cant be disassembled and in very poor condition then replacement is usually the best course of action, nobody will thank you if the lock breaks again even if its years later if you tried to wash it out.

[Boberto]

Cheers dls, thanks for the insight.