Getting smell out of locks

by pH » 5 Sep 2006 10:41

So I was going through an old toolbox yesterday and discovered two padlocks, a master No 1 and No 3. Since I just started my lockpicking hobby these were perfect additions to my small collection. The only problem is, they have been in this toolbox for 6+ years closed in with a box of clove cigarettes, so they have this awful smell to them. I've been airing them out but they still smell.

Has anyone had success getting smells out of locks? I was thinking of putting them in a closed shoebox with some baking soda for a few days, but I'd like to hear others' experiences.

by **Shrub** » 5 Sep 2006 10:44

Give them a spray with wd40 on the lock body and then hang them on the washing line for a few days,

by **Squelchtone** » 5 Sep 2006 12:24

pH wrote:So I was going through an old toolbox yesterday and discovered two padlocks, a master No 1 and No 3. Since I just started my lockpicking hobby these were perfect additions to my small collection. The only problem is, they have been in this toolbox for 6+ years closed in with a box of clove cigarettes, so they have this awful smell to them. I've been airing them out but they still smell.

Has anyone had success getting smells out of locks? I was thinking of putting them in a closed shoebox with some baking soda for a few days, but I'd like to hear others' experiences.

hey pH! Nice bumping into you at HOPE 6!

I'm glad to see you're interested in locks too, that's great! You'll have fun with those Masters, as long as they aren't too rusty.

welcome to the site =)

Squelchtone

[MA 2600 - Dataprophet]

;-)

by pH » 5 Sep 2006 20:06

Hi Squelchtone! It was good to see you at HOPE 6 as well and better to catch up w/ you on here. The No 1 is easy pickings, I'm having trouble with the No 3, but it is all gunky inside so I think I need to lube it up first since I can barely manipulate the pins. Plus I don't want to keep it in my hands for more than a minute at a time since it makes my hands stink

Thanks for the advice Shrub I will try it out

by **skedone** » 6 Sep 2006 4:48

you could try the old lemon/onion trick and put it in a sealed box (lunch box) with either a onion or lemon it should suck all the smell out the critter works in fridges and alike worth a go

by **Temple** » 6 Sep 2006 8:45

Another trick, and this will also help get the gunk out of the inside is boil the lock in water for about 5min. Then remove it from the pot of boiling water and shake as much of the water out the rest will evaporate frome the body of the lock being hot. after it is dry lube it in a good coating of light weight oil.

This has worked for me on a couple of "gunky" locks.

by **Shrub** » 6 Sep 2006 9:22

Dont put oil in your lock it will need cleaning again not long after,

Have a look around site at what to use buy you should be looking for a ptfe based spray,

by **UWSDWF** » 6 Sep 2006 9:41

urine might work... has many cleaning properties.... might want to wear gloves though, careful on copper it causes quick oxidization

by **Izekieal** » 6 Sep 2006 9:50

Use WD-40, or a cleaning agent (carb cleaner, break cleaner etc). Using anything acidic (urine, citrus juice) will actually oxidize the metal at a very rapid rate!

GL!

by **f0ku5** » 8 Sep 2006 7:46

You might want to try it dry. Put a glass of milk (or lemon might work as well) next to them. If thats doesn't cut it you should go wet.. :lol:

Water+natron (baking soda) works very well to get rid of smell, you should have a strategy at hand to get the locks dry afterwards though.

by pH » 10 Sep 2006 11:38

I just wanted to post my results in case someone found this thread seeking advice. I sprayed the outsides of the locks with WD40 and let them sit out for a few days. The smell is completely gone. Unfortunately I didn't get much entertainment out of them as I was able to pick them both easily but I guess they're classics so they're good to have around. Thanks for all the advice everyone.

by **UWSDWF** » 10 Sep 2006 11:45

pH wrote:I just wanted to post my results in case someone found this thread seeking advice. I sprayed the outsides of the locks with WD40 and let them sit out for a few days. The smell is completely gone. Unfortunately I didn't get much entertainment out of them as I was able to pick them both easily but I guess they're classics so they're good to have around. Thanks for all the advice everyone.

no still being made in high volumes and just as cruddy everyone of them.... easiest locks on earth

Getting smell out of locks

Getting smell out of locks

Re: Getting smell out of locks

Who is online