What is this gray stuff on my picks?

[Klaiviel]

So lately I have noticed that my picks keep getting dirty with what appears to be some kind of graphite like silver stuff.  This concerns me so in an effort to discover what it was and keep my hands from constantly turning gray, I disassembled a Schage deadbolt I have down to the pins and washed every piece in soapy water (yes I know, probably not the best idea in the world).  I put the lock back together with no lube at all and after making sure everything was clean including my picks, I tried picking again.  For a while things remained clean, until after about 20 times of picking the lock again, the substance started to reappear on my picks.  At this point I have only a couple theories as to where this could be coming from.  The most obvious would be wear on the pins from picking; however, I examined my pins and they seem to be in good shape.  My second guess would be some leftover graphite lubricant or something similar; however, as I said earlier I believe I washed all existing lubricant away.  This leaves me with my last guess: after purchasing a Brinks R70 the other day I noticed the package said "This product contains substances the state of California has linked with birth defects"; is it possible that this substance is lead or something similar?  If so I would not see where lead would be used in a lock, but I don't know so that is why I am asking.  If anyone could clear up this mystery for me it would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[Legion303]

It's brass dust from the pins and keyway, and it's normal.

-steve

[Klaiviel]

Thank you Legion303 for your prompt reply, it is good to know that this dust is not dangerous. I still have a couple questions though.

What is the best way to contain the mess? I am working in a carpeted bedroom on a cardtable and I have already seen what this stuff does to clothes and the card table, I can't imagine what it would be like in carpet.

Also what is the best way to remove it? I have been using soap and water, just wondering if something works better.

Finally since I have de-lubed my lock, in your personal experience what is the best lock lube? I have seen many mentioned on this board such as graphite, silicon oil, and wd-40. I am just wondering which one you think is best?

Thanks!

[Schuyler]

I always just wipe my picks on the fingers of my left hand until I'm done picking for the day, then I wash my hands.

[Josh K]

Thank you Legion303 for your prompt reply, it is good to know that this dust is not dangerous. I still have a couple questions though.

What is the best way to contain the mess? I am working in a carpeted bedroom on a cardtable and I have already seen what this stuff does to clothes and the card table, I can't imagine what it would be like in carpet.

Also what is the best way to remove it? I have been using soap and water, just wondering if something works better.

Finally since I have de-lubed my lock, in your personal experience what is the best lock lube? I have seen many mentioned on this board such as graphite, silicon oil, and wd-40. I am just wondering which one you think is best?

Thanks!

A shot of WD-40 would be a good cleaner but a poor long term lubricant. I would look for a dry film lubricant like Tuf-Glide.

[eppiotic]

WD-40 isn't a lubricant at all. Its a water disperser hence the "WD". It was originally designed to keep missiles from rusting. It's basically an oil based spray that sticks to what you spray and gums up to repel water (oil and water doesn't mix well). This gumming phase is what causes locks to lock up.

Graphite is made of finely ground up graphite rock. It was chosen because of its natural self lubricating ability. But to be honest only a little bit should be used, and the best application is to disassemble the lock and apply a small amount to your fingers and rub it on. Most people just squirt a copious amount into the lock which is a bad idea. You can always tell you are working on a lock that the customer uses graphite because when you're done your hands look like you just worked on a car lol.

Both of these products are the first thing that seems to pop into the heads of people and when one doesn't work they use the other. The problem with this is that when you add ground up rock and wet oil it will basically turns into cement.

At our shop we use silicon or teflon based lubricants. Everyone here swears theirs is the best but we use Tri-flow, LPS1, Super Lube Dry-film, and a cheap one from Dupont that stinks.

[rontgens]

Isn't there a spray that just blasts air. perhaps that would be good to get the brass dust out of a lock?

[thelockpickkid]

Isn't there a spray that just blasts air. perhaps that would be good to get the brass dust out of a lock?

Sure you could air blast the dust out, but your missing the big picture, in every lock that you pick, you make more and more dust, this is small metal shavings from your pick hitting the pins and the walls of the keyway, you can clean all you want, the more you pick the more there is.

[Eyes_Only]

There isn't much you can do as far as I can see short of taking the lock apart and cleaning each part with a strong solvent solution. The lock is gonna make brass dust everywhere in the lock when you pick it cos when applying tension on the plug you're binding and scraping the innards constantly.

I just keep a rag close by to wipe my pick off on for this and MAYBE shoot a little CRC Lectra Motive cleaner in the lock once a year if the lock get exceptionally dirty, which is kind of rare.

[loki-aka]

Just a puff of dry graphite is all a lock usually needs for cylinder lubrication. I don't use graphite in a liquid suspension form. It causes problems.

[nostromo]

Try a piece of carpet like a door mat or rear-passenger auto floor mat as your work area.

Not only does the carpet contain whatever powders come out of the locks, it's a downright life saver when you start disassembling locks and little bits like springs, retainer clips, pins and what-not fall out. And the carpet minimizes stuff rolling off the table.

[rontgens]

I must admit I just use a bar tenders cloth it's just like a small towel and I have a couple of them in the top of my toolbox.

[Antique key maker]

I know that on some of my interior locks in my house, they were so old and never used with a key, that my picks have black sticky stuff. Maybe from years of dust and grime, and never having a key put in them.

[Ortin468]

"This product contains substances the state of California has linked with birth defects"; is it possible that this substance is lead or something similar?

So lately I have noticed that my picks keep getting dirty with what appears to be some kind of graphite like silver stuff. This concerns me so in an effort to discover what it was and keep my hands from constantly turning gray, I disassembled a Schage deadbolt I have down to the pins and washed every piece in soapy water (yes I know, probably not the best idea in the world).

LOL what doesn't have this label nowadays. For flushing crap out of locks I use cheap carb spray (probably with that Cali label on it) or brake cleaner. Just be careful of finishes, if on the bench spray away. Provide proper ventilation. I wear latex or nitrile gloves to protect my hands. NOTE: most sprays will eat the latex so use the nitrile for solvents. For cleaning you hands, KEEP AWAY from solvents, it will dry you skin out incredibly fast, soap and water is the best. (solvents... see Cali label.. LOL) If its gonna be messy, use protection.