When choosing the best product to lubricate locks, dry lubricants like graphite powder and PTFE lubricants are best. As mentioned above, oil-based products can attract dust and dirt which can damage the delicate internal mechanism of your lock.
Use a can of compressed air or a small brush to clean the keyhole thoroughly. Lubricate the lock: Sticky locks are often due to a lack of lubrication. Apply a graphite-based or silicone-based lubricant specifically designed for locks. Avoid using oil-based lubricants as they can attract more dust and grime.
Oil, plus the environment – you don't want that in your lock, so you'll want to use a graphite or silicone spray rather than your regular WD-40 or other oil-based lubricants. WD-40 does make a product specifically for locks, WD-40 Specialist Dry Lubricant and we also like 3-IN-ONE's Lock Dry Lube.
WD40 SILICONE is the best thing to use on locks. Also great on upvc windows hinges.
Top of our list is PTFE lubricants. Polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE, is a Teflon-based lubricant that dries inside the lock to leave behind a non-stick, water-repellent film on all the surfaces.
Yes, you can use Vaseline instead of WD-40 if you need a quick substitute. However, keep in mind Vaseline may not work for all applications, including inside locks. While it can work great on door hinges, it may be too sticky for locks and end up attracting dust and dirt particles—which can cause damage to your lock.
At Nye, we do not recommend silicone greases for electrical automotive applications. It has been found that lower quality, light base oil viscosity silicone lubricants present the possibility of outgassing, potentially contaminating nearby switch contacts leading eventually to switch failure and continuity problems.
Don't use oil.
Oil might assist the moving parts of the motor in your car, but it is never a good idea to squirt it in a stiff lock. The oil will just combine with any grime already in the mechanism and compound the situation.
Some of the best door lock lubricants available on the market today include Houdini Lock Lube, DuPont Teflon lubricant, Master Lock 2300D PTFE lubricant, and Lock Saver Lubricant.
If you have a stuck door lock, spray lubricant into the lock's keyhole. Doing so will loosen any debris or deposits sitting inside your stuck lock and prevent your key from turning. Insert the key and rotate it a few times to work in the lubricant, releasing the stuck part.
Simply warm up your key by placing it in a small container of hot water. Once the key is warm and dry, insert a key into the lock mechanism and slowly turn it. Alternatively, you might also try using a blow dryer to blow hot air directly into the locking mechanism to thaw out your door locks.
jimmies; jimmied; jimmying. Britannica Dictionary definition of JIMMY. [+ object] US. : to force (something, such as a lock, door, or window) open with a metal bar or a similar tool. The burglar jimmied [=(Brit) jemmied] the window (open).
WD-40 Specialist® Silicone
Once dried, this formula leaves a clear, non-staining film that doesn't stick or make a mess, so it won't attract dirt. This silicone lubricant spray is great for use on cables, pulleys, guide rails, valves, linkages, hinges, locks and more.
Use it to release as many rusty bolts as you like but if you use WD40 within a lock you only succeed in displacing the last bit of lubrication that was left in the cylinder, making it dryer than ever and even more likely to stick!
To remove light rust, leave parts in the solution for 1-3 hours. To remove heavy rust, leave parts in the rust removal solution overnight. Do not use on parts that have bluing, browning, or protective oxide paints, as those protective coatings would be removed.
Silicone is better for plastic and rubber applications (non-metal), whereas dry lubricants are for metal. Ultimately, both dry lubricant and silicone lubricant sprays are excellent at lubricating two surfaces that have friction restricting movement in them.
Q: Can I use Vaseline as a silicone lubricant? A: Not really. While Vaseline can provide minimal lubrication in very low-stress or low-temperature scenarios, it lacks the heat tolerance, electrical insulation, and long-term stability of a true silicone lubricant.
But as good as silicone-based lubricants are, there are still some limitations to their use under certain circumstances. Silicone lubes cannot be used alongside silicone sex toys, as the mixture between the two silicone products will cause the toy's material to swell, deform, and become gritty over time.
Tri-Flow Lubricant is a superior, light viscosity lube that allows for deep penetration into hard to reach moving parts. The aerosol spray uses high-grade petroleum oils that provide optimum lubrication under extreme temperatures (-60 to 475°F) and humidity. I use Tri-Flow after I rekey most domestic locks.
To lubricate the lock Safestyle recommends using graphite powder, the fine particles mean less residue than oils or sprays which can also be sensitive to hot or cold conditions. Put a little amount of graphite powder inside the door lock to ease any friction inside, making sure not to put in too much.
Most locksmiths recommend using a dry graphite powder to lubricate sticky locks. You can find a powdered graphite powder at your local hardware store, as well as precision straws that allow you to aim the lubricant in the exact right spot.