teflon/silicone

[rover]

Can someone recomend a type of lube to use on a lock. If you can tell me a brand name and what type of spray it is I would be very greatful. Thanks.

[Varjeal]

It probably depends on where you are from as to what brands are available, but here in Canada these are the two brands I've found most effective.

1. Super Lube. It comes in a silver can with yellow lid, costs between $4-6 and is a combination silicon, teflon lube if I recall correctly. It is my personal favorite.

2. Second to that is a silicone lubricant called 12/34 which is about the same price for a larger can that is orange with black lettering. It's not as good as the Super Lube, but since it gives ya more for the buck I usually end up buying this.

Hope that helps.

[rover]

How much do you think this will help to pick a lock? Lately, I have been trying a lot of locks and am not having much luck. I hope that I just need more practice (or that a teflon lube will help).

[Varjeal]

Flushing out a lock with a lubricant may make the difference between getting a lock picked or not. A good lubricant will remove debris from the lock and lubricate the pins and springs.

Depending on the age of the lock, a good lube may also remove some corrosion, especially important in the case of springs that have corroded stiff.

Lubing a lock is extremely important for locks (no matter what quality) that may have tight plug to shell tolerances from design or by accident. Any kind of debris in the lock would only provide more resistance.

As a tip to help with your picking, especially as a beginner, make sure of these things:

1. Be in a comfortable position preferrably in a warm, dry place with good lighting. Try to avoid distractions.
2. Set aside plenty of time and be patient. Locking picking is like anything else, you have to practice to be really good.
3. If you start getting frustrated, put the lock and picks down and step away from it for awhile.
4. Choose "easy" locks to practice on before attempting to pick something that you "know" is difficult. Lubricate and clean the lock prior to picking it.
5. Did I mention practice?

If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to post. There's lots of people on here skilled in locking picking who can answer your questions.

Hope that helps.

[baron]

What stores carry SuperLube ?

Canadian Tire seems to have the following lubricants which sound like
they have good potential, although Varjeal seems to be the "lube master",
so I'd love to hear his thoughts.

1) MotoMaster Silicone Lube (spray can)
2) MotoMaster Dry Graphite (spray can)
3) MotoMaster Wet Graphite (spray can)
4) Lock-Ease (spray can)
5) Lock-Ease (oil)

[Varjeal]

I get mine from my supplier, but Home Hardware, Peavey Mart, etc. would be places to check.

I would recommend staying away from graphite lubricants, and oil is a definite no-no. The silicone lube should be adequate.

I gotta run, but I'll reply in more detail when I return.

Hope that helps.

[Varjeal]

I'm back. Had an interesting experience with a '90 Dodge ignition, but I'll share that in a different forum.

The problem with graphite, is that it is extremely easy to over apply to a lock and end up causing more problems than it is worth.

I always carry a tube of graphite, (which I haven't had to refill in three years) and occasionally use it when masterkeying new cylinders. Graphite is an excellent lubricate, but has a tendency to collect dust, and when used in winter conditions, tends to gum up a lock, which is the last thing you generally want. As well, graphite is extremely messy, and unless you get it off immediately, does not come off of skin or clothes or upholstry very well at all.

The nice thing about silicon and teflon lubes is that they cannot be "over-used" in a lock. Too much lubricant simply "washes" out the lock and makes it cleaner. They will not freeze in a lock unless water is present, and are generally less expensive than other alternatives.

Oil is probably the worst product to use. Oil is fine in an engine because it is in a "sealed" environment. Locks are exposed to the elements, and nothing will collect dust, dirt, grease, and other foreign substances like oil, so stay away from this stuff.

Well, that's been my experience anyways.

Later.

[rover]

Here is a nice link if anyone else is interested. I hope this stuff will do.

http://www.precisionreloading.com/superlube.htm

--rover

[Varjeal]

Thanks for the link, rover, that's the EXACT stuff that I use and recommend to everyone. Nice find.

[Mack]

home depot carries it, look where they have all the locks.