Good Lubricant

[Banjoguyyy]

Hi all, I've just been thinking about the best lubricant to use when lock picking that won't gum up the works and won't cause build up in the lock. I know that if i even mention WD-40 all heck will break loose and fire will rain from heaven, so I need something that will keep my locks fully functional and still work. Anybody have any suggestions?

[GWiens2001]

Dry lubricant: Powdered Graphite. Don't know of any others.

Wet lubricants: Lock Saver, Houdini, Tri-Flow and Crazy Glue. There are others that can (and will) be recommended, but there is a starting point. Three are a good idea, one is not quite as good. You decide which is which.

If your lock has never had dry lube in it before and you wish to try it, clean the lock thoroughly by completely disassembling it and use brake cleaner, electronics cleaner, or alcohol to remove all traces of dirt and previous lubricants.

If your lock has never had wet lube in it before (such as a factory assembled Best padlock, which states to use graphite lube only), and you wish to use a wet lube, repeat the above procedure to clean out all graphite and dirt.

Do not mix wet and dry lube or you get mud. I don't highly recommend using a dry lube if you live in a wet environment for the same reason.

Most locks are factory assembled with a wet lube of some kind. So even if you live in the desert (as I do), if you want to use dry lube, take the lock completely apart and clean all traces of lubricant off, before reassembling and using dry lube.

Gordon

[Squelchtone]

Almighty, are we starting yet another lubricant thread? that's like the 4th one this week.. (I have no idea, that sounds cose to the real number)

can we just get a lubricant sticky (no pun intended) already to avoid all these independent lubricant threads? where's the admin of this forum? I need to have a word with him.

[Mitchell S]

<censored> <censored> Almighty, are we starting yet another lubricant thread? that's like the 4th one this week.. (I have no idea, that sounds cose to the real number)

can we just get a lubricant sticky (no pun intended) already to avoid all these independent lubricant threads? where's the admin of this forum? I need to have a word with him.

Start a survey where everyone can vote, and it gets displayed in a nice graph of everyone's favorite! Make it a sticky, then ban anyone who starts a new thread without searching for the existing thread first. OR keep recommending WD40 to everyone 6 times a day

[deolslyfox]

On a more serious note, Gordon brings up an important issue. If you live in the frozen tundra, a dry lube would be your best bet. If you live in the sand-blown desert, a dry lube is your only hope, and that's with a lock cover. If you live in a nice temperate region without too many extremes, or if the lock is an inside lock, then most any commercial lock lubricant will suffice.

The key (pun intended) is that the lock be CLEAN before you lube it. Liquid lubes attract and hold dirt. Adding more grease to a dirty lock is counter-productive.

If I have a good padlock that I want to clean and perhaps repin for duty, the process I have used for years with good success is as follows: (Note: The term "good" removes Master and all Chinese locks from the list).

1. Disassemble the lock
2. Spray the cylinder and all parts with WD-40 (Looses crud and old oil, grease, etc)
3. Wipe down all the parts including the key
4. Rinse the parts including lock body, shackle/ spring, bearings, key, pins and springs in alcohol and dry thoroughly
5. Inspect the inside works for knicks / dings etc and repair as necessary
6. Replace any worn / bent pins, or replace all pins for enhanced security
7. Replace any worn / damaged springs
8. Reassemble the lock
9. Lube the actuator, bearings, shackle chamber with (your favorite lube)
10. Test for proper operation

Note that the cleaned lock cylinder / pins did not get any lube. A clean lock will run smooth. If yours is "rough" then a shot of DRY lube should fix the issue. Liquid lubes attract / hold dust and dirt.

Just one more note. While you're cleaning the lock, clean and inspect the key. A dirty key just introduces dirt back into the lock. A worn key makes the lock harder to open. (Can I get a duh here?). I added that because I have, on more than one occasion watched people work on a lock that had no issues, simply because the key was worn.

Finally, a cracked key is a chore waiting to happen, and it will happen at the most inopportune time.

Hope this is helpful ....

[Banjoguyyy]

Thanks all, really appreciate the help. BTW, a friend of mine suggested silicon spray, it sprays in wet, then dries to leave a clear dry lube, would that work?

Also Gweins, i tried crazy glue... worked like a charm.

[nick08037]

Hello bangjoguyy,

The various Teflon or Cerflon dry film spray lubricants are popular with the public for their low cost and convenience since they are easily found in most auto parts stores. The specialty products favored by many locksmiths are a better choice for locks in more demanding environments or critical applications.

-Nick

[Banjoguyyy]

Okay, thanks nick.