Lock Cleaning

[spuds]

Thanks Guys

[jbrint]

I want to throw something out there and see what the consensus is. I have a couple quarts of "gun soak" which I have used for years and pick up at the local gun swap. Not sure what it is but you basically disassemble your side arm and throw it in there for a while and wipe it off, when the toxic solution turns black its spent. My logic is if its safe to throw a gun in there why not a lock? I haven't done it yet but did buy a literal bucket of locks and half are gummed up something fierce. Ive tried brake cleaner, Pj's, WD-40 and a few other things. Being a newb I obviously want to get them clean so I can pick them open for experience. Thoughts? I would upload a pic of the solution but just envision a plastic quart container with a white sticker printed from an inkjet printer that says "gun soak".

[GWiens2001]

Don't know what chemicals are in gun soak. Some chemicals may be safe for use with a firearm, but not such a good idea with a lock, as the metals and alloys are different.

Gordon

[kwoswalt99-]

What type of locks, and what materials are they made of? And what are Pj's?

[jbrint]

Its a mixed bag of Kwikset, Schlage, Titan and Defiant deadbolts all 5 pin residential type locks taken out during replacement. I have keys for about half and the locks all work with key but when I feel the pins with my pick generally in the center of the stack its like pushing into a wet sponge. I hit these with brake cleaner first (which ate the finish off anyone that was bronzed or had any coating) and then PJ's which is a lubricating/penetrating oil used to loosen stuck nuts/bolts. I don't yet feel comfortable disassembling these locks because i don't know well enough what to do if I make a mistake. Thats what got me to thinking about soaking them in gun soak.

[GWiens2001]

Yeah, brake cleaner is some harsh stuff. After using it, use compressed air to blow out the lock until the brake cleaner has evaporated. Do not leave locks to soak in brake clean, either.

Gordon

[averagejoe]

Yeah, brake cleaner is some harsh stuff. After using it, use compressed air to blow out the lock until the brake cleaner has evaporated. Do not leave locks to soak in brake clean, either.

Gordon

Why not? I haven't had any problems and it helps with the ones that are really gunky.

[billdeserthills]

I like alcohol, it cleans very well & costs less than brake cleaner and is a natural cleaner, which won't take your skin off.
You can soak parts in it as well & it works fast.

[spuds]

Seems to me we need a good tutorial on what to use on all locks and metals used on Locks If there is one one here please point us to it thanks

[GWiens2001]

Yeah, brake cleaner is some harsh stuff. After using it, use compressed air to blow out the lock until the brake cleaner has evaporated. Do not leave locks to soak in brake clean, either.

Gordon

Why not? I haven't had any problems and it helps with the ones that are really gunky.

Have seen a few locks discolored. Also, if the lock has plastic components internally like some of the really cheap locks, the brake clean will react with certain plastics.

That said, I do use brake clean frequently on dirty locks. I just don't soak it overnight. (That is when I saw discoloration on some brass locks). Most of the time, I use WD-40 for heavy cleaning, blow it out with compressed air, then use brake clean to get the WD-40 out of the lock. Blow it out with more compressed air, then a small shot of Tri-Flow.

Gordon