Pam Spray OR WD40 in outside Locks for winter?

[meanwhile]

Planning ahead: last winter our Gate Locks froze up several times. We had to spray Pam in one lock to open it. What is best to use in the locks to keep them from freezing up? Any suggestions? We tried to hook a baggie over one lock but that was a pain. Thanks

[salmonslayer]

WD-40 for sure but if you get a lot of wet and ice you may still want to cover the lock.

[Surge223]

DO NOT ever use WD-40 in a lock. When it dries it will gum up the inside so bad it will have to be replaced.

I replace many deadbolts because of WD-40.

[seedspreader]

What Surge said.

Use graphite.

[watcher]

keep a small butane torch in the glove box.

[||Downhome||]

Originally Posted by Surge223

DO NOT ever use WD-40 in a lock. When it dries it will gum up the inside so bad it will have to be replaced.

I replace many deadbolts because of WD-40.

yup !!!! worked for a door company and thats a no-no

Originally Posted by watcher

keep a small butane torch in the glove box.

better option


not sure on the graphite

[Beeman]

Lockease is what you want. It's graphite in a liquid comes in a spray or squeeze can. Works great on locks and cables and doesn't attract dirt.

[Old Vet]

Keep a bottle of alcohol to pour on the lock to melt the Ice. That is what the PAM does and you don't have any residue. Use graphite on the inside. You can get lock ease at any hardware store and alcohol also.

[salmonslayer]

Wow, the WD-40 debate is alive and well and when I just Googled it the responses were about 50/50 for and against for keeping locks from freezing!! We have used WD-40 at home and work in up to 50 below zero on padlocks and door loocks (including a fishing boat) for 15 years with no problems but then we are in an extremely wet environment and have little dust. I like the water displacement properties of WD-40 and have never had it gum up as has been reported (might be due to differing environments).

Graphite doesnt work here in the cold and wet for some reason and the locksmiths discourage it.

[WisJim]

It depends a bit on what you are trying to do. WD40 and other oily lubes will gum up the keyway and graphite is better there. But WD40 would be okay on the inner mechanism of the lock. Graphite worked in on the key is what I use for sticky key mechanisms, and the secret to preventing freeze up of the lock itself is to keep it dry, by covering or enclosing it.To thaw a frozen padlock, use a torch. To thaw other locks, heat the key and put it in the lock to thaw the innards of the lock without damaging the surroundings (such as a car door lock.}

[stormwalker]

Well, for me WD40 has worked fine!
Besides, I don't ever have Pam on hand. I don't think lard or olive oil would be very useful.

[plowjockey]

Neither will keep an outside exposed padlock from freezing. Water or melted snow, runs in from the top.

I have padlocks on the buildings and have cured freezing 100%, by making a rubber "flap" out of thick tire inner tube, that hangs over the entire lock.

Since your lock is on a gate, you might make a removable, notched little "tent", out of rubber or sheet metal, that will slide down over the entire lock. Slide it off when you need to unlock.

[Wolf mom]

Love the rubber covering idea on padlocks. I bet a cut up old tire tube would work.

I carry an old lighter & heat the padlock when it freezes. Sounds like I need to try heating the key instead.

[diane5000]

Yep, Heating the key does the job!!


Diane
http://www.frombeyondthegrid.com

[How Do I]

I had to use rubbing alcohol last year to get ole my truck started during freezing weather. Stuck the key in and it wouldn't budge an inch. Poured a bit of alcohol into the cylinder and it freed it right up. It helps to keep the alcohol somewhere outside in case you get locked out.

[GREENCOUNTYPETE]

always chain the gate and leave the lock tru the last link on the chain and carry a bolt cutters , that way if it is a problem you cut the chain bring the lock inside and you are only out 1 link of chain

if the lock end is at a post you can turn a bucket over the post and sheild the lock from the snow and freeze if it works it is faster than the rubber if it doesn't try the rubber

hard to say every gate is different

[Cabin Fever]

It's kinda hard to hold onto key while you're heating it up with a Bic lighter....even with gloves on. I just use the lighter to heat the lock.

[meanwhile]

I like the little rubber tent idea. I have a piece of black rubber at the barn that will work. I can pick up the LockEase and graffite too. Now...as for the Blow Torch...my kids are going to Vote for that Plan! I can see it now....flames just a flaming....oh Joy....

Thanks everyone.

[texican]

I keep a 18v sawzall w/metal cutting blade, in the truck toolbox. Sometimes a lock get's superglued by evildoers, rendering it just another chain link. Amazing how fast a sawzall will go through the heaviest chain.

I keep graphite in the drivers side door 'well'... my door locks hate me... I have to squirt graphite in on a regular basis.