Car key lock lubrication

[zahc]

I still have a car that uses old fashioned keys for unlocking. Here in the Idaho winter, I have discovered that sometimes it doesn't want to turn. Should I squirt anything in? I have heard different theories on what should be done. I'm thinking about flushing with Brakleen first and leaving dry.

[bedlamite]

Spray in lock de-icer, and either powdered graphite or silicone spray lube.

[charby]

Spray in lock de-icer, and either powdered graphite or silicone spray lube.

X2 from land of snow and ice dweller

[Hawkmoon]

Spray in lock de-icer, and either powdered graphite or silicone spray lube.

Yes on powdered graphite. Absolutely NOT spray silicone. After a year or two that will turn into super glue.

[Boomhauer]

I use a dry moly spray to lubricate hinges and locks. I blow out the lock with a solvent and compressed air then spray it in. 90% of the time this solves any sticky or non functioning lock. It’s only issue is it is runny until the carrier liquid evaporates and stains.

Powdered graphite is what I use at home we just have the dry moly in the supply system at work. The graphite is less messy for automotive applications.

[230RN]

"Trunk lid"  on my beloved Subie station wagon is that way, like I was afraid of torquing the key off in the lock.  I blasted it out with windshield de-icer (alcohol), then used that graphite "Lok-EZE."  Worked fine until the next winter, when it clogged itself up again. Fortunately, spare keys are cheap (give 'em VIN number and dealer cranks them out for about $8 apiece) and it can be locked/unlocked electrically from the driver's seat so although I'd hate to have it happen, if the key does break off, I guess/hope I'm still covered.

Driver's side keyhole works fine.  Go figure.

[HankB]

I lived in Minnesota for 17 years and I used pure silicone spray on all my locks and door latches without ever having any difficulty.

Don't use WD-40, since that seems to turn into varnish over time.

[MillCreek]

I use a DuPont dry film Teflon lube spray that I also use on my bicycles. It seems to work well for door locks.

[Declaration Day]

I use either silicone spray or white lithium grease.

[charby]

Yes on powdered graphite. Absolutely NOT spray silicone. After a year or two that will turn into super glue.

Never had a problem with silicone

[230RN]

From the suggestions, it appears there's some extra unassessed variables involved.

Airborne dust?  Temperature extremes? Something.

And I think Declaration Day is talking about the door latches now, instead of the actual delicate key-lock mechanism, with the lithium grease.

I guess theoretically, the best treatment would be to blast out all previous and gummed up lubricant and goop with a zero residue solvent (alcohol, ether from starting fluid?), then lube with a dry, stable lube like graphite or maybe moly di, which won't let dust stick to the mechanism.

[HankB]

. . . I guess theoretically, the best treatment would be to blast out all previous and gummed up lubricant and goop with a zero residue solvent (alcohol, ether from starting fluid?), then lube with a dry, stable lube like graphite or maybe moly di, which won't let dust stick to the mechanism.

If the OP's Idaho winters are anything like the Minnesota winters I put up with for 17 years, there will be freeze/thaw cycles that allow water into the mechanism - I'm not sure that a dry lube like graphite would be sufficiently hydrophobic to keep things from freezing up. I used to use "Pure Silicone Spray" from Brookstone, but I don't think it's available any more. There must be something similar on the market. Maybe Break Free CLP spray would work? (I'd try to keep it off the paint)

[230RN]

^
"If the OP's Idaho winters are anything like the Minnesota winters I put up with for 17 years, there will be freeze/thaw cycles that allow water into the mechanism "

Well, that's another variable.  I'm talking day-to-day normal operations.  I do know that pressure-washing and then an overnight freeze and all bets are off, despite the litte gate they have in the keyway.  Locks up the car good and plenty the next AM.

[HankB]

^
"If the OP's Idaho winters are anything like the Minnesota winters I put up with for 17 years, there will be freeze/thaw cycles that allow water into the mechanism "

Well, that's another variable.  I'm talking day-to-day normal operations.  I do know that pressure-washing and then an overnight freeze and all bets are off, despite the litte gate they have in the keyway.  Locks up the car good and plenty the next AM.

They used to sell little pressurized cylinders of lock de-icer, which was probably alcohol and silicone. Insert into lock, give a little squeeze, and presto, you were in. (Unless the latch further inside the door was frozen, too.)

[230RN]

They used to sell little pressurized cylinders of lock de-icer, which was probably alcohol and silicone. Insert into lock, give a little squeeze, and presto, you were in. (Unless the latch further inside the door was frozen, too.)

Luckily, I had a (warm) can of windshield de-icer handy since I expected to have to clear the windshield that morning, so that did the trick in the frozen lock.  I found pressurized stuff doesn't work too well if it's been sitting in a very cold car overnight, so I kept it in the house and brought it out with me.

Just dumb luck, though.  Couldn't call it smart luck.

Terry

[Firethorn]

Yes on powdered graphite. Absolutely NOT spray silicone. After a year or two that will turn into super glue.

You want to avoid oil based lubes for this, but silicone is fine.  WD-40, for example, would be a horrible choice.  It produces varnishes.

You want silicone because it won't turn into superglue, leave varnishes, etc...

I used to use "Pure Silicone Spray" from Brookstone, but I don't think it's available any more.

Find the lube section of your local home or hardware supply store and look around, you'll have lots of options.  You simply want something long lasting that won't leave residue.

For example:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Blaster-11-oz-Industrial-Strength-Silicone-Lubricant-Case-of-12-16-SL/205048085

[Bob F.]

Triflow on all locks. Originally recommended by my locksmith, an old=timer.

[K Frame]

"WD-40, for example, is a perfectly fine choice."

Perfectly fine for what? Gumming up your lock so badly when that crap turns to varnish that you'll never get a key to turn in it again?

[Firethorn]

"WD-40, for example, is a perfectly fine choice."

Perfectly fine for what? Gumming up your lock so badly when that crap turns to varnish that you'll never get a key to turn in it again?

....  I must of been on something, or autocorrect turned "horrible" into "fine"

WD-40, if it can be called a lube at all, it oil based and should be avoided.