best way to clean some locks

[geardog32]

today i got a box 'o' locks and i have about 16 locks that are in pretty good condition other than they are really dirty. i mean filthy. but what can i expect for 15$ for 16 locks(a WB, American series 10, and the rest are what seem to be older yales with a sort of restrictive keyway. but any way what is the best way to clean these bad boys. can i soak them in something? i was thinking of starting them of in some hot water and dawn dish detergent then drying them out good.

[Josh K]

If they're Americans you can drop the cores out and give them a good scrubbing with BKF to remove any rust. Then a mild soap and water followed by some grease should do it.

[geardog32]

one of them is an American series 10 that has a wafer core, but i am having trouble getting the core out because of all the gunk in it. the rest are older yale padlocks and one WB. by the way what is BKF? i have wd40, carb and brake cleaner too.

[Josh K]

one of them is an American series 10 that has a wafer core, but i am having trouble getting the core out because of all the gunk in it. the rest are older yale padlocks and one WB. by the way what is BKF? i have wd40, carb and brake cleaner too.

Barkeepers Friend. It's some amazing stuff.

[geardog32]

looks like CLR cleaner to me(which i have) so ill try that i guess.

[SnowyBoy]

White spirit breaks down the grease that accumulates in locks amazingly well

[Schuyler]

Not WD-40.

Letting them sit in an Acetone bath will clean them up.

[UnlockD]

My boss has a commercial Master padlock no. 3, and the keyway is full of grease. The core is non removable, anyways to clean out the grease (Interfering with key that opens it) without damaging it internally?

[Josh K]

My boss has a commercial Master padlock no. 3, and the keyway is full of grease. The core is non removable, anyways to clean out the grease (Interfering with key that opens it) without damaging it internally?

My advice would be to wash it out with a water pick running 1:10 detergent / water. Then lubricate it with something.

Although it's just a Master lock No.3. You can buy a new one for $5 or so.

[SnowyBoy]

My boss has a commercial Master padlock no. 3, and the keyway is full of grease. The core is non removable, anyways to clean out the grease (Interfering with key that opens it) without damaging it internally?

!!!WHITE SPIRIT!!!

Trust me, it works, it's cheap, it can be found any hardware store. Soak for 20 minutes then agitate for 5 and it will bring the inside of the lock brand new! You will have to wait for the excess to evaporate & regrease the lock accordingly.

[Eyes_Only]

Running a blank key in and out of the lock along with use of chemical cleaners may help get some of the crud out of the cylinder as well. That's also what I do when re-lubing a lock to make sure whatever lube I used has completely circulated in the cylinder.

[Josh K]

Running a blank key in and out of the lock along with use of chemical cleaners may help get some of the crud out of the cylinder as well. That's also what I do when re-lubing a lock to make sure whatever lube I used has completely circulated in the cylinder.

I actually went to my local locksmith shop and had a couple of KW1 and SC1 blanks cut to 111111. I use that and a bit of lube to freeup old door locks I practice on. I think the cuts help it a bit.

[UnlockD]

I ended up using the key + cleaner method. The key seems to open it easier now, before it could be a struggle.
I told her to buy a new one, but she wouldn't.

[SnowyBoy]

Running a blank key in and out of the lock along with use of chemical cleaners may help get some of the crud out of the cylinder as well. That's also what I do when re-lubing a lock to make sure whatever lube I used has completely circulated in the cylinder.

I actually went to my local locksmith shop and had a couple of KW1 and SC1 blanks cut to 111111. I use that and a bit of lube to freeup old door locks I practice on. I think the cuts help it a bit.

Anything that moves the pins through their entire travelling distance has to be a good thing..... good idea with the key

[slimjim123]

Go with white spirit if your having an issue like that with the lock.
It's one of the better quality solvents out there.