In article ,
says...
"david lang" wrote:

s--p--o--n--i--x wrote:
Don't use WD40 as ignition barrels switch fairly high currents. Any
oily contamination can catch fire.

Hirsty's wrote:
run a soft lead pencil up and down the key as it will not clog the
lock like WD40 does ( locksmiths use it all the time)

Why have so many people on this NG got such a downer on WD40? The solvent
carrier in WD40 could catch fire true, but its gone in a few seconds and
there is no reason why it should clog anything up - quite the opposite, it
cleans things. I've used it on all sorts of locks for years and years and
never had the slightest trouble.

IMO a wonderful product.

WD40 has a place as a moderately good water dispersant. But it's not
a particularly good lubricant, it's certainly not a penetrating fluid
and it's worse than useless for lock barrel lubrication.

The only lubricant that should ever be used for locks is powdered
graphite.

Anyone who happens to leave their car outside during cold weather will
have no end of problems getting into the car if WD40, or oil, or ****,
or lock defroster, or deicer, or a hot kettle has been used to get the
key to work. A flush through with isopropyl alcohol followed by dry
powdered graphite and the locks will still open when its -25 deg C
(and even lower)

Quite a few vehicle manufacturers actually recommend that NO lubricant
at all is used on ignition key barrels.

I'm intruiged - how does one apply powedered graphite to lock barrels?
Is it available in aerosol form?

Cheers,
--
James Dore,
IT Officer,
New College
james.dore@new / it-support@new