Aerosol lubricants

spider · Unread post by **spider** » 26 Apr 2011, 19:54

No one say WD40 please

For locks specifically (door / boot etc) , any particular recommendations and thoughts about this ?

Possibly ignition too, although its generally not recommended to spray into there unless you 'really' need to.

I guess really it would be sensible to take them out and give them a coating of grease (again, moly or something else?) but I wonder if any of the spray greases available are worth using mainly to ensure the tumblers are not getting too sticky.

I thought about graphite powder but that along with anything applied to the key is likely to be more messy.

Any thoughts ?

Unread post by **myglaren** » 26 Apr 2011, 20:23

I don't have any personal experience of it but my son uses GT85 and claims that there is nothing to touch it.

I bought him his last can from Evans Cycles for £5. (400ml.)
Probably available on the net and from motor factors.

He uses it on the mysterious bits on his downhill racers that cost him 10x what I pay for cars. He is very protective of it except when descending mountains at terrifying speeds.

HDI · Unread post by **HDI** » 26 Apr 2011, 20:29

I use gun oil, in my case, Parker-Hale. It has a specific property of migrating over all parts in a very thin, long lasting film with very good anti corrosive properties. I just apply it to the key, a few tiny drops to each of the working surfaces, then insert and remove the key about 10 times to distribute it. This lasts a long time before another application is necessary.

Another application is household door locks, same technique.

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 26 Apr 2011, 21:16

Yeah; gun oil isn't bad - as you say, it creeps nicely.

There is also a product called Locksaver which may be sold in the UK.

Chlorate · Unread post by **Chlorate** » 28 Apr 2011, 22:48

Although it's not a spray:
When my door lock went funny I filled the lock up with a liquid grease type stuff specifically used for multiplier fishing reels.
Seemed to do the job lovely.

Perhaps that 3-in-one lithium grease in a can?

xmexclusive · Unread post by **xmexclusive** » 29 Apr 2011, 08:27

Nothing you do to a old lock cleans out all the crap that builds up on the tumblers. Strip, clean and lubricate on rebuild is the best method provided you do not loose any of the bits or their orientation.
Insitu a good blast with compressed air or a solvent before you lubricate may well shift a bit of the crap.
Lubrication on its own is only really effective if done regularly from new.
Electrical contacts and keyway are totally seperate in an ignition switch so you are unlikely to cause electrical problems by cleaning and lubricating the keyway.

John

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 29 Apr 2011, 09:15

what you must never put in a lock especialy in extenal locks,
is any lube that is affected by water, as it turns it to a thick sticky paste that clogg's/james up the tumblers,

regards malcolm