Quote:
Originally Posted by Gene Horr
Any locksmith who recommends WD-40 is REALLY just looking for future business. This is the worst possible substance you can use on a moving part. It is designed so that the lubricating portion will offgas in a month or two leaving behind a gummy tar like substance. Fine for when you are wanting to waterproof something but horrible for moving parts.
At this point then people spray in more WD-40. The volatiles will temporarily dissove the tar, allowing the part to move. But when they evaporate you now have twice as much gum. After a year or two the lock is useless.
The best substance is plain light grade oil. But it will run over everything so keep napkins handy. Graphite is good for certain installations. It won't "dry out" (it is a powder, not a liquid) but does not have the rust prevention of oil.
There are plenty of locksmiths who don't know their rear end from a hole in the ground as you can see from reading the above posts.
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I don't like the implication there Gene. As I was the previous post referring to my brother a locksmith. I take it you disagree, well you are free to disagree but don't say "know their rear end from a hole in the ground" to me. Thank you!
I was not implying using WD40 as a lubricant, which it is not really, its more of a solvent. What I meant to say is I suggest using it to wash out graphite from a contaminated lock.
Used in that way WD40 will restore the pins to proper movement. In Colorado they use hot WD40 to unfreeze locks in the winter. Its really made primarily from fish oil, didja know? I use it mainly to clean engine blocks and old electrical cables (black rubber SJO and similar).
The ONLY lube I will use in a lock is Triflow. Its a teflon loaded thin oil fluid and has never caused me any problems. Its excellent in guns and will not form varnish.
My brother has opened enough stuck locks in CO to buy a Mercedes (well, a used one maybe) and seen what graphite does. Its nasty stuff and yet they still package it for sale. Like I said, it brings Locksmiths business so maybe its made for that reason? hey I like conspiracy theories
