Lubricant for Kwikset Smartkey

[Pintickler]

What is the best lube for Kwikset Smartkey cylinders ?

[Frodillicus]

Hi pintickler,

I believe it's graphite.

Phil

[FarmerFreak]

STOP don't use graphite on that lock. I'm 99% certain it left the factory with some oil in the lock cylinder. Graphite + oil/grease/whatever wet lube they use=mud. Use a spray lube.

[Frodillicus]

Lol, I did not know that, so you're saying something like mucoff Teflon chain lube would be suitable? Nice long directional nozzle, maybe motorbike disc brake cleaner or similar to clean it out first?

[FarmerFreak]

Personally I would use tri-flow, but that is because that is what I always have with me. I'm sure there are plenty of lubes that would work great.

Just avoid using graphite in anything that isn't completely dry or previously lubed with grease, such as all vehicle locks from 1990-2015..

[1mrchristopher]

My personal favorite is Cyanoacrylate, which you can get as Superglue, Crazy Glue, etc. etc. This saves waiting for the lock to randomly fail, and get's you straight to replacing it.

OK, OK, I use Houdini on all locks. It works well, isn't much more than WD-40, and it smells like oranges.

[Pintickler]

My personal favorite is Cyanoacrylate, which you can get as Superglue, Crazy Glue, etc. etc. This saves waiting for the lock to randomly fail, and get's you straight to replacing it.

I know what you mean. I'm not a big fan of the Not so Smartkey either. I always steer customers away from them.

[LockDocWa]

Triflow fan for over 30 years

[Bean44]

It is True the SmartKey cylinder does come from the factory with some type of liquid lubricant, not sure what type. I too believe that Graphite would gum it up. The brake cleener sounds like a good Idea to clean the cylinder and dry, then you could use the Graphite. I have tried it that way and it has worked for me.

Thanks for all the input from all.

Bean44

[phoneman85]

never used triflow, but heard many people swear by it. I use Houdini a lot and it works great, I've also used LPS1 with good results, both are good at low temperatures, and don't easily gum up.

[Lockules]

Nice to know that Houdini is orange scented. I'll have to go in search of.
I'm a Tri-Flow guy, and I believe the spec sheet claims it's a banana scent (at least that's the way it read long ago).
All we need to find are some lemon and cherry and pineapple scents, and we can get those office corridors smelling like a punch bowl

[Tyler J. Thomas]

Personally I would use tri-flow, but that is because that is what I always have with me. I'm sure there are plenty of lubes that would work great.

Just avoid using graphite in anything that isn't completely dry or previously lubed with grease, such as all vehicle locks from 1990-2015..

You don't use lubricants that stay wet in the keyhole. That attracts dirt and other debris. You need a fast drying lubricant; they usually contain PTFE - examples include Lock Saver or Master Lock's Lock Lubricant (which is the bees knees).

Lubricants that stay wet go inside mortise locks, cylindrical locks, bolts, latches, and other hardware with moving parts that are, for the most part, shielded from the elements. Lubricants that are fast drying go in the keyway.

[globallockytoo]

Triflow fan for over 30 years

+1

[sxrhowie]

I use Lock saver in aerosol can to clean gunk out and lube for normal use. but when picking nasty locks I like tri-flo. going on 3 years no problems