Tumbler lock lubricants

[Chris Hogg]

We have a BS Euro anti-snap, anti-bump tumbler lock on our front door, fairly new. A couple of months ago it started to feel rough when the key was inserted; the key grated and occasionally had to be jiggled about before it went all the way in (stop sniggering at the back there!). I lubricated it with graphite powder, and for a while it was fine. But it's now beginning to get rough again. I have some 3-in-1 spray that I could use, but mindful of the reasons for not using WD40 for lubricating such locks, are there likely to be any long-term problems with 3-in-1, or should I just try again with the graphite?

[Thomas Prufer]

Take the cylinder out (easy if Euro), pop in a plastic bag with a bit of solvent (white spirit, tri, lacquer thinner), drop in a cheap ultrasound cleaner full of water, run. Repeat with clean solvent. Alternatively spray brake or carburetor cleaner through the lock, operate a few times, repeat. Let dry.

Now lubricate with one of:

- the spray the manufacturer sells or

- TRI-FLOW Superior Dry Lubricant (a usenet recommendation from a locksmith, and a bottle should last you for all locks for a very many years...)

(Or, at the risk of a flamefest: WD-40, or graphite, but never the mix of baked clay and graphite shaved from a pencil)

Reinsatll cylinder, obv.

Thomas Prufer

[Tim Watts]

PTFE powder works well too.

[Chris Hogg]

Thanks for the replies. Some WD40 PTFE spray on the way.

[mail-veil]

I will be interested to hear if you share my enthusiasm for the stuff Chris.

Mike