Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
Recently had to have a key made for van door lock I had no key for.
Locksmith lubed the lock and it wasn't graphite based. I asked why and he said because of the high humidity here in the mid-south graphite is NG. When combined with moisture it hardens like cement. Have to take his word for it. Well established locksmith. Not some matchbook cover graduate working out of garage and car. What did he use? WD-40! ...and the WD-40 thread war is on again :-) Just an FYI. Just a messenger here. |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
On May 1, 11:34*pm, Red Green wrote:
Recently had to have a key made for van door lock I had no key for. Locksmith lubed the lock and it wasn't graphite based. I asked why and he said because of the high humidity here in the mid-south graphite is NG. When combined with moisture it hardens like cement. Have to take his word for it. Well established locksmith. Not some matchbook cover graduate working out of garage and car. What did he use? WD-40! * * * * ...and the WD-40 thread war is on again :-) Just an FYI. Just a messenger here. graphite doesn't absorb water. i've heard this in theory and you can see it in reality, with a tube of powdered graphite and a glass of water. graphite is perfectly nonpolar, and as such mixes as badly with water as oil does. TALC absorbs water. it's a decent lube otherwise. that's why you don't put baby powder in a lock, but you can use it to put an inner tube in a bike tire. |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
Where I am (NY state, near Rochester) they salt the roads a
bit too much. Drivers door locks turn to a lump of grey silver metal if not oiled once or twice a year. I use WD, or other liquid lube on drivers door locks. Actually, it's one of the very few times I use 10w30 motor oil on a lock. I've heard from others about graphite in humid states like Texas. I've never lived there, so I can't comment. Looks like I get to start the flame war on WD? Here goes: WD-40 is the wrong stuff for lubricating anything, and only an ignoramussy uses WD. How'd I do? -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Red Green" wrote in message ... Recently had to have a key made for van door lock I had no key for. Locksmith lubed the lock and it wasn't graphite based. I asked why and he said because of the high humidity here in the mid-south graphite is NG. When combined with moisture it hardens like cement. Have to take his word for it. Well established locksmith. Not some matchbook cover graduate working out of garage and car. What did he use? WD-40! ...and the WD-40 thread war is on again :-) Just an FYI. Just a messenger here. |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
Red Green wrote:
Recently had to have a key made for van door lock I had no key for. Locksmith lubed the lock and it wasn't graphite based. I asked why and he said because of the high humidity here in the mid-south graphite is NG. When combined with moisture it hardens like cement. Have to take his word for it. Well established locksmith. Not some matchbook cover graduate working out of garage and car. What did he use? WD-40! ...and the WD-40 thread war is on again :-) Just an FYI. Just a messenger here. Graphite is absolutely not hygroscopic so it doesn't "combine with moisture" at all. Anyone can demonstrate this by attempting to mix graphite with water. |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
"Stormin Mormon" wrote in
: Where I am (NY state, near Rochester) they salt the roads a bit too much. Drivers door locks turn to a lump of grey silver metal if not oiled once or twice a year. Hmm,why not the passenger side door lock,too? ;-} I use WD, or other liquid lube on drivers door locks. Actually, it's one of the very few times I use 10w30 motor oil on a lock. I've heard from others about graphite in humid states like Texas. I've never lived there, so I can't comment. I use graphite on my outdoor mailbox lock,central Florida,and have had no problem with it. -- Jim Yanik jyanik at kua.net |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
On May 2, 7:48*am, Jim Yanik wrote:
"Stormin Mormon" wrote : Where I am (NY state, near Rochester) they salt the roads a bit too much. Drivers door locks turn to a lump of grey silver metal if not oiled once or twice a year. Hmm,why not the passenger side door lock,too? *;-} I use WD, or other liquid lube on drivers door locks. Actually, it's one of the very few times I use 10w30 motor oil on a lock. I've heard from others about graphite in humid states like Texas. I've never lived there, so I can't comment. I use graphite on my outdoor mailbox lock,central Florida,and have had no problem with it. -- Jim Yanik jyanik at kua.net drivers side door gets all the crap from cars going the other way or from the same way if they drive in the slow lane on a 4-lane road. Passenger side not a problem unles driven in passing/middle lane on a 4-lane roadway |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
Jim Yanik wrote:
Hmm,why not the passenger side door lock,too? ;-} My car, a 2007 Nissan doesn't have a passenger door lock. One of the few things that annoys me about it. They seem to assume that I will be using the fob thingie. I don't because I already have enough stuff in my pockets, I don't need any more. Bill |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
Red Green wrote:
Recently had to have a key made for van door lock I had no key for. Locksmith lubed the lock and it wasn't graphite based. I asked why and he said because of the high humidity here in the mid-south graphite is NG. When combined with moisture it hardens like cement. Have to take his word for it. Well established locksmith. Not some matchbook cover graduate working out of garage and car. What did he use? WD-40! ...and the WD-40 thread war is on again :-) Just an FYI. Just a messenger here. And NEVER squirt graphite into an older GM car's ignition lock, the ones where the ignition key has a resistor set into it's shank. DAMHIKT, but I did fix that screwup with liberal injections of denatured alcohol followed by compressed air. G Jeff -- Jeffry Wisnia (W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE) The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight. |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
Red Green wrote:
Recently had to have a key made for van door lock I had no key for. Locksmith lubed the lock and it wasn't graphite based. I asked why and he said because of the high humidity here in the mid-south graphite is NG. When combined with moisture it hardens like cement. Have to take his word for it. Well established locksmith. Not some matchbook cover graduate working out of garage and car. I was told years ago (by an experienced locksmith) not to use graphite on locks. What did he use? WD-40! ...and the WD-40 thread war is on again :-) Not a bad cleaner for some purposes, I wouldn't count on it to actually lubricate anything. |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
On Sat, 02 May 2009 08:15:54 -0500, against all advice, something
compelled BillGill , to say: My car, a 2007 Nissan doesn't have a passenger door lock. Neither does my Audi. But the door on the left side does, and I can use it to unlock both doors. I can also roll down both windows before getting into the car, if I want to. -- Real men don't text. |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
On Sat, 2 May 2009 07:43:59 -0700, DGDevin wrote:
Red Green wrote: Recently had to have a key made for van door lock I had no key for. Locksmith lubed the lock and it wasn't graphite based. I asked why and he said because of the high humidity here in the mid-south graphite is NG. When combined with moisture it hardens like cement. Have to take his word for it. Well established locksmith. Not some matchbook cover graduate working out of garage and car. I was told years ago (by an experienced locksmith) not to use graphite on locks. What did he use? WD-40! ...and the WD-40 thread war is on again :-) Not a bad cleaner for some purposes, I wouldn't count on it to actually lubricate anything. lubricant of cloice now for locks, Remington gun oil! |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
Your locksmith probably used spray dry teflon lube. It sprays as a
liquid, then dries to a teflon powder. The advantage in locks is that the dry teflon doesn't attract or hold dirt like oil does. On Fri, 01 May 2009 22:34:19 -0500, Red Green wrote: Recently had to have a key made for van door lock I had no key for. Locksmith lubed the lock and it wasn't graphite based. I asked why and he said because of the high humidity here in the mid-south graphite is NG. When combined with moisture it hardens like cement. Have to take his word for it. Well established locksmith. Not some matchbook cover graduate working out of garage and car. What did he use? WD-40! ...and the WD-40 thread war is on again :-) Just an FYI. Just a messenger here. |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
On Sat, 2 May 2009 10:49:01 -0500, Mike Dobony
wrote: On Sat, 2 May 2009 07:43:59 -0700, DGDevin wrote: Red Green wrote: Recently had to have a key made for van door lock I had no key for. Locksmith lubed the lock and it wasn't graphite based. I asked why and he said because of the high humidity here in the mid-south graphite is NG. When combined with moisture it hardens like cement. Have to take his word for it. Well established locksmith. Not some matchbook cover graduate working out of garage and car. I was told years ago (by an experienced locksmith) not to use graphite on locks. What did he use? WD-40! ...and the WD-40 thread war is on again :-) Not a bad cleaner for some purposes, I wouldn't count on it to actually lubricate anything. lubricant of cloice now for locks, Remington gun oil! I used to use that but when there was a car backfire, the lock exploded. |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
On May 1, 11:34*pm, Red Green wrote:
Recently had to have a key made for van door lock I had no key for. Locksmith lubed the lock and it wasn't graphite based. I asked why and he said because of the high humidity here in the mid-south graphite is NG. When combined with moisture it hardens like cement. Have to take his word for it. Well established locksmith. Not some matchbook cover graduate working out of garage and car. What did he use? WD-40! * * * * ...and the WD-40 thread war is on again :-) Just an FYI. Just a messenger here. The big problem with graphite in locks is that people use too darn much of it and it just gets packed into the lock. I ve seen people put half of one of those squeeze tubes in a lock. Also people use graphite when lubrication is not the problem. Their are graphite bearing aresols that are very good for locks but you can overuse those too. Often all you need to do is run a pencil lead (graphite) on your key if there is a lubrication problem. JImmie |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
|
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
Often all you need to do is run a pencil lead (graphite) on your key if there is a lubrication problem. I recommend against using pencil lead as a lubricant. It *does* contain graphite, but it also contains clay. (The amount of clay is what determines the hardness.) The clay is abrasive and will not do good things to the lock. -- Steve Bell New Life Home Improvement Arlington, TX USA |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
On May 2, 11:14*pm, "SteveBell" wrote:
I recommend against using pencil lead as a lubricant. It *does* contain graphite, but it also contains clay. (The amount of clay is what determines the hardness.) The clay is abrasive and will not do good things to the lock. -- Steve Bell New Life Home Improvement Arlington, TX USA the clay might be hygroscopic.... which brings us back to the original post. |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
Where I am (NY state, near Rochester) they salt the roads a bit too much. Drivers door locks turn to a lump of grey silver metal if not oiled once or twice a year. Hmm,why not the passenger side door lock,too? ;-} CY: That took me many years to figure out. The answer is that as cars pass each other, the salt sprays up from the tires. The drivers side faces other traffic. On the passenger side, it's either parked cars, no cars, or cars moving at the same speed. So, the drivers side get much more salt. I use WD, or other liquid lube on drivers door locks. Actually, it's one of the very few times I use 10w30 motor oil on a lock. I've heard from others about graphite in humid states like Texas. I've never lived there, so I can't comment. I use graphite on my outdoor mailbox lock,central Florida,and have had no problem with it. CY: One vote yes, graphite, from central Florida. |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
I've resolved never to buy a vehicle unless it's got
passenger side locks. I'm not sure how long I will be able to keep my resolution. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "BillGill" wrote in message ... My car, a 2007 Nissan doesn't have a passenger door lock. One of the few things that annoys me about it. They seem to assume that I will be using the fob thingie. I don't because I already have enough stuff in my pockets, I don't need any more. Bill |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
Someone, possibly yourself, mentioned that. But, it's a good
reminder. Thank you. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "jeff_wisnia" wrote in message ... And NEVER squirt graphite into an older GM car's ignition lock, the ones where the ignition key has a resistor set into it's shank. DAMHIKT, but I did fix that screwup with liberal injections of denatured alcohol followed by compressed air. G Jeff -- Jeffry Wisnia (W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE) The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight. |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
What did this locksmith use for lock lube? Maybe something
is better, and we should switch over? -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "DGDevin" wrote in message m... I was told years ago (by an experienced locksmith) not to use graphite on locks. |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
I thought you were going to say people kept putting bullets
in your lock? -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "mm" wrote in message ... lubricant of cloice now for locks, Remington gun oil! I used to use that but when there was a car backfire, the lock exploded. |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
Don't know if it's still sold. Used to be, you could buy
blue and yellow cans of "Lock Ease, graphited lock fluid". I hate that stuff. Gets sticky and messy. Well, it did make me a lot of money at a motel near me that used it every couple weeks on all their room locks. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "JIMMIE" wrote in message news:1eccd83b-7bd4-4bbe-ab3d- The big problem with graphite in locks is that people use too darn much of it and it just gets packed into the lock. I ve seen people put half of one of those squeeze tubes in a lock. Also people use graphite when lubrication is not the problem. Their are graphite bearing aresols that are very good for locks but you can overuse those too. Often all you need to do is run a pencil lead (graphite) on your key if there is a lubrication problem. JImmie |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
Top-posting,screwing up the thread "Stormin Mormon" wrote in : What did this locksmith use for lock lube? Maybe something is better, and we should switch over? "DGDevin" wrote in message news:2u6dnboJrveywWHUnZ2dnUVZ_hmdnZ2d@earthlink. com... I was told years ago (by an experienced locksmith) not to use graphite on locks. maybe that "experienced locksmith" wants people to not lube their locks properly so he gets more business. Yeah,squirt some gummy WD-40 in there. -- Jim Yanik jyanik at kua.net |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
BillGill wrote:
Jim Yanik wrote: Hmm,why not the passenger side door lock,too? ;-} My car, a 2007 Nissan doesn't have a passenger door lock. One of the few things that annoys me about it. They seem to assume that I will be using the fob thingie. I don't because I already have enough stuff in my pockets, I don't need any more. Bill Amen to that- my 05 caravan has 5 doors and 2 locks, drivers door and hatch. Fob thingie is the head of the ignition key, about the size of a serving spoon, and 3/8" thick. Keyring loop is so tiny, that if I put it on the ring, ring won't fit in my pocket without poking me in leg. I went out and paid an absurd amount for 2 of the 'regular' security keys, which are also too thick (like all modern car keys), but at least I can carry they keyring in my pocket. A separate fob, I could almost have lived with. Now I have to remember to unlock the automagic locks when I park at a store, so I can open the offside doors to load the packages when I come back out. A real pain. Never understood the appeal of fobs and remote locks. You are standing at the door anyway. I suppose if your arms are full, they may be handy, but unless your keys are in your hand, you have to juggle packages anyway. And every car I have ever had with electric locks (the last 5 or 6), at least one door had a solenoid crap out, so you had to lock and unlock manually anyway. This 05 was young and shiny enough when I got it, that I paid to have the malfunctioning one fixed, and it was close to $200. My previous van, a 95 (2 generations back) had a keyhole on every door. I think they were that way through 01 or 02. Definitely a poor choice of something to 'decontent' with. -- aem sends... |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
Jim Yanik wrote in news:Xns9C0028E44F94jyanikkuanet@
74.209.136.85: Top-posting,screwing up the thread "Stormin Mormon" wrote in : What did this locksmith use for lock lube? Maybe something is better, and we should switch over? "DGDevin" wrote in message news:2u6dnboJrveywWHUnZ2dnUVZ_hmdnZ2d@earthlink .com... I was told years ago (by an experienced locksmith) not to use graphite on locks. maybe that "experienced locksmith" wants people to not lube their locks properly so he gets more business. Yeah,squirt some gummy WD-40 in there. Like I said...just a messenger on this one Jim. |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
"Stormin Mormon" wrote in news:gtj42s
: I've resolved never to buy a vehicle unless it's got passenger side locks. I'm not sure how long I will be able to keep my resolution. There were those that resolved: chrome METAL trim along the door and fenders a full size spare tire chrome metal bumper vs brushed plated a metal bumper a bumper etc, etc :-) |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
"Stormin Mormon" wrote in
: Where I am (NY state, near Rochester) they salt the roads a bit too much. Drivers door locks turn to a lump of grey silver metal if not oiled once or twice a year. Hmm,why not the passenger side door lock,too? ;-} CY: That took me many years to figure out. The answer is that as cars pass each other, the salt sprays up from the tires. The drivers side faces other traffic. On the passenger side, it's either parked cars, no cars, or cars moving at the same speed. So, the drivers side get much more salt. I use WD, or other liquid lube on drivers door locks. Actually, it's one of the very few times I use 10w30 motor oil on a lock. I've heard from others about graphite in humid states like Texas. I've never lived there, so I can't comment. I use graphite on my outdoor mailbox lock,central Florida,and have had no problem with it. CY: One vote yes, graphite, from central Florida. took me many years to figure out. Took me 10 seconds. Cheap f'rs cutting cost. |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
Red Green wrote:
Recently had to have a key made for van door lock I had no key for. Locksmith lubed the lock and it wasn't graphite based. I asked why and he said because of the high humidity here in the mid-south graphite is NG. When combined with moisture it hardens like cement. Have to take his word for it. Well established locksmith. Not some matchbook cover graduate working out of garage and car. What did he use? WD-40! ...and the WD-40 thread war is on again :-) Just an FYI. Just a messenger here. Master recommends light oil for padlocks. After all, the usual problem is corrosion. The argument against oil is that dirt can stick to it. If you oil your lock, your key may get oily. You drop your key, and it picks up dirt which ends up in the lock. Wiping the key could help. Why doesn't somebody invent light oil mixed with solvent in an aerosol can with a plastic straw? You could use it to flush dirt out of a lock. Master says graphite can jam padlocks. I've found that to be true if you use a pencil to lubricate a car lock and the tip breaks off. I was glad my neighbors didn't know who had done it. I considered it a learning experience and used oil on my own car. |
Graphite in Locks? ...not good sometime
On May 2, 11:33*pm, z wrote:
On May 2, 11:14*pm, "SteveBell" wrote: I recommend against using pencil lead as a lubricant. It *does* contain graphite, but it also contains clay. (The amount of clay is what determines the hardness.) The clay is abrasive and will not do good things to the lock. -- Steve Bell New Life Home Improvement Arlington, TX USA the clay might be hygroscopic.... which brings us back to the original post. That tiny amount of clay will cause no harm. You will get way more dirt into the lock just from normal use than any amount of clay from the pencil lead. My father had a business for 44 years. Opened it every day except Sundays 4 doors with locks 2 deadbolt and 2 padlocks and never had a problem with any of them. All he ever used was a little pencil lead once in a while. In the last couple of years he had the business one lock did fail when a car ran into the door. Im 55 years old, been using pencil lead all my life and have never had one related problem on any home, vehicle, or business in my care. The use of pencil lead is intended to maintain the lock, its not any good at repairing one that is all gunked up. One variation I have seen on ths over the years is to dust a key with graphite powder, tap off the excess and then place that in the lock. Jimmie |
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