Restoring an old lock

[xylac]

I got a padlock for Christmas that I'm interested in restoring. It's pretty rusted-- none of the keys supplied with it work. It's a lever lock (although I guess it could just be warded too), and the shackle moves slightly, even though the padlock is closed. The condition of the lock is similar to that of the Golddoor in http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?p=436607#p436607

I'd like to restore this lock to working condition, just because I think it'd be cool to have. I've heard of CLR, baking soda, saltwater, and coke being used to remove rust, but there's no resources comparing them that I found. Has anyone had luck with one of these methods, or knows of a good way to clean up a lock to be in working condition? I'd like to damage the lock as little as possible. Thanks!

[Squelchtone]

Congrats on getting locks for Christmas, it's nice when our family and friends know what we like!

If you'd like to share with us what the lock actually looks like, we'd like to see the photos. You can upload them to http://imgur.com/ or to http://tinypic.com and then Copy/Paste into your reply here.

That GoldDoor in the other thread looks like its seen better days.

cool project, can't wait to see it come along,
Squelchtone

[bembel]

The shown example lock has a light rusty shackle. I'd try vinegar or vinegar essence. I always use that for rust removal on nuts and bolts and other stuff.
Other acids (like the phosphoric acid in coke) or baking soda should work as well.

[billdeserthills]

Lots of rust removal info here:
http://keypicking.com
under Electrolytic Rust Removal, also in
http://keypicking.com/viewtopic.php?f=111&t=9799

[FletcherMunson]

I have had decent luck with Loctite Naval Jelly on badly rusted tools and mechanisms that I couldn't take a brush or wire wheel to. Soaking in deisel or kerosene (for at least one day) may help. Once the lock is cleaned up, I like a bit of Tri-Flow as lubrication.

[nite0wl]

Having received several antique/junk-store locks for the holidays myself, I would recommend a long bath in WD-40 as a first step. It may mean emptying a small can of the stuff but I am always surprised at how well it works of all manner of blockages, from rust to decades of built up graphite and grease.

My first step is to just do a short spray of WD-40 into the keyway and other accessible areas, then probing with appropriate tools (bypass knife/half-diamond for pin-tumbler, warded picks for warded and some lever locks, etc); this gives you an idea of how serious the blockage is, some times this is all it takes. If the blockage is very serious letting the lock soak, submersed in WD-40 for a couple of hours or over night may be enough and help you avoid more troublesome/dangerous/expensive methods.

Of course all of this depends on the specific lock and it's condition. If it is anything like the condition of the Golddoor in the thread you linked to, it should be sufficient though.

Once all the parts are moving again careful rinsing with rubbing alcohol, soap and water, then lubrication with a standard lock lubricant (graphite or PTFE) is usually in order.

[hag3l3]

The absolute best way to remove rust is with water. Water puts it on, water will take it off.
old farmer's solution. Works 100 percent of the time. Once everything moves fine. Then clean it up. Soak it in hot oil to Removerify the water. Time consuming but works.