How to keep padlocks from freezing?

[User]

 

[smokeysmoo]

I was going to say lube but you've covered that. I use a spray grease with Teflon, and touch wood haven't had any issues. Then again I'm not trying to unlock mine at 6.30, it's generally closer to 8 when I'm 'opening up' so that extra hour and a bit must help I guess.

 

[col]

Anti freeze, a drop or two inside? or even cover them with a plastic bag and elastic band, its the damp that freezes isnt it, so keeping them dry is the trick.

 

[Terry Kay]

People use graphite based lube on car locks to keep them from freezing.. Still not come across any on my wanders though, so can't comment on its effectiveness..

 

[PatrickPending]

People use graphite based lube on car locks to keep them from freezing.. Still not come across any on my wanders though, so can't comment on its effectiveness..

http://www.maplin.co.uk/graphite-lock-lubricant-444745

not used it myself - will get some next time im near to leicester centre

 

[Norm]

Squirt them with lots of WD40 / GT85, which will drive out any water and coat the internals so ice struggles to form in there.

Alternatively, give a squirt from a car windscreen de-icer when you lock them.

 

[subaqua]

Squirt them with lots of WD40 / GT85, which will drive out any water and coat the internals so ice struggles to form in there.

Alternatively, give a squirt from a car windscreen de-icer when you lock them.

Nooooooooooo the WD stuff leaves a nasty film which attracts crud and then jams the lock. have seen some sectioned locks in work that were cut off after WD40 ing. the amount of gunk inside was really worrying. If you really want to get rid of the water pop em in an oven at 50Degrees C for an hour or so. then a proper graphite based lock lube from a locksmiths not B&Q or Homebase.

putting a plastic bag over won't help as all that does is starts condensation forming which is what you dopn't want in the lock

 

[youngoldbloke]

I use a blowtorch on the padlocks on my gates. It's the only way.

 

[Norm]

Nooooooooooo the WD stuff leaves a nasty film which attracts crud and then jams the lock. have seen some sectioned locks in work that were cut off after WD40 ing. the amount of gunk inside was really worrying.

That depends what the locks are used for. If it was going to be in a dusty environment (such as, for instance, a lock which is attached to a bike frame for transport) then yes, the film from using WD40 will attract crud and may jam.

However, for a garden shed, then there is little chance of much crud to be flying around and the film will keep the water away, which is, IMO, a good thing.

 

[Tynan]

surely a proper oil is all that's needed, proper as in heavy and erm ... oily

 

[youngoldbloke]

surely a proper oil is all that's needed, proper as in heavy and erm ... oily

Then you get oily fingers undoing the lock, and oil on the key, then oil in your pockets, and so on. Anyway the only time you even start to think ' hmm - maybe the padlocks could do with oiling/WD40ing' - whatever - is when you try to unlock them when it's well below freezing. Just keep the blowtorch handy. Of course - when it is really, really, really cold I can't open the gates anyway because of the frost heave in the paving

 

[citybabe]

I've always used WD40

 

[subaqua]

That depends what the locks are used for. If it was going to be in a dusty environment (such as, for instance, a lock which is attached to a bike frame for transport) then yes, the film from using WD40 will attract crud and may jam.

However, for a garden shed, then there is little chance of much crud to be flying around and the film will keep the water away, which is, IMO, a good thing.

OK I will do what the locksmiths tell me and you do your thang.

 

[swee'pea99]

I saw a bloke on telly t'other night recommending a drop or two of fairy liquid worked in as the preventative cure for frozen car door locks - I assume it would work for padlocks too.

 

[Edwards80]

I saw a bloke on telly t'other night recommending a drop or two of fairy liquid worked in as the preventative cure for frozen car door locks - I assume it would work for padlocks too.

This works. Most washing up liquid contains salt so I guess that does the trick!