Machine oil for locks. How to properly lubricate a lock on a steel door. Lubricants for outdoor locks
Troubles happen. For example, when you are in a hurry to get home, you try to quickly open the front door, but it won’t budge. And the point is not even that you mixed up the key. This happens if you haven’t lubricated the front door lock for a long time. Of course, it is better to avoid such situations and lubricate periodically, and not when it is too late. But reasoning from the outside is easier than solving a problem when reasoning won’t help.
Modern castles
It must be said that many manufacturers do not answer the question of how to lubricate the front door lock. They categorically argue that this is not worth doing. Modern locks, according to them, do not require lubrication throughout their entire service life. Many manufacturers will refuse warranty claims if they find out that the buyer tried to lubricate the lock.
But it is worth saying that this rule applies to modern doors and mechanisms. If we are talking about old doors with locks, then the locking mechanism in them can and even needs to be lubricated from time to time in order to prevent problems when the front door lock jams. How to lubricate such a door? Let's look at the issue in order.
Why is lubricant in modern locks harmful?
When lubricant gets into the mechanism, it clogs the running elements. Indeed, if you lubricate a modern lock, you may feel the benefit for a while (it will work smoothly), but very soon the lubricant will begin to thicken and also accumulate dust from the environment. It's not very good.
Also, you and the key will begin to introduce dirt into the lock mechanism. Yes, these are microparticles, but little by little each time, and within a month a sufficient amount of dirt accumulates. Sometimes it only takes a little dust to break a neat modern secrecy mechanism. In addition, the metal will be saturated with the lubricant. Each opening/closing process erases metal microparticles from both the key and the lock. Modern locks have special boot channels for these purposes. But if you add lubricant, these channels will become clogged.
Old castles
Older locks had lubricant built into them from the factory. During their operation, the addition of lubricant is required. This is necessary due to the fact that the lock parts in such doors have gaps, as well as rubbing elements. It is to reduce the friction force that lubrication is needed. How to lubricate an old-style front door lock?
Formulation options
There are many options that answer the question of how to lubricate the front door lock. Let's look at the most common ones:
- Silicone Grease. Suitable for versions of locks with cylinder cylinders, silicone ensures clear smooth sliding of the moving elements of the lock, and also prevents corrosion, since silicone repels moisture.
- Graphite grease. A good option; moreover, you can use regular pencil lead to lubricate lever-type locks.
- Regular sunflower oil. An affordable option that is always nearby. This is more of an emergency measure and not a recommendation for prevention or an answer to the question of how to lubricate the front door lock.
- Melted fat. This is another option that will solve the problem, but it will only solve it temporarily. Over time, the jamming of the lock will be further aggravated by fat.
- WD-40. No further comments required. After all, this composition is the cure for all ills! Corrosion protection and corrosion protection. A good remedy.
- Solid oil, or calcium grease, is a good remedy; if you have it, then lubricate the lock with it.
- Litol (lithium waterproof grease). This is a bearing lubricant, but in this situation it will be useful.
- Carbon grease is a conductive graphite grease. The effect of this product will be, but perhaps temporary, the lubricant is easily washed out by water.
How to lubricate the front door lock from this variety? It is preferable not to use improvised means. It is better to take graphite lubricant, grease or lithol. Although all other options are acceptable to one degree or another.
When should you lubricate?
Lubricating the door hardware or door lock is your responsibility as the owner. Prevention is always better than solving a problem, remember this. Lubrication is an improvement in gliding. If you feel that there is friction inside the lock, then the time has come.
If there is a lack of lubrication, a problem arises with the normal operation of the lock. The parts begin to rub against each other, and microparticles of dust brought inside further aggravate the situation; they act as an abrasive.
If there is a lack of lubrication, dust begins to collect in the lock, which over time blocks the movement of the bolts in the cylinder. How to lubricate the front door? For the larva, the same compositions are used as for other parts.
The formation of rust in the lock is the most dangerous situation. Important components from corrosion will begin to deteriorate and seize over time. One day the lock may even jam. If your front door lock starts to jam, what should you use to lubricate it? If the problem is rust, then use means that transform rust. If the issue is simply a lack of lubrication, then use any means that we have listed and described above.
Experts say that the lock should be lubricated approximately once every 6-8 months, but at least once a year. Let's not lie and say that no more than 5% of all people act this way. The rest of the majority lubricate the lock or try to lubricate it when it is already tightly jammed.
Work rules
Before lubrication, you should clean the keyhole; if you have scheduled work, then this is not difficult to do. You need to pour a special cleaning composition into the well and wait. Dust and tiny debris will come out. The cleaning composition must be poured in a sufficient volume so that the liquid flows out of the lock.
If the lock mechanism is jammed, try to remove the key first. Do not use force for this, try to swing the key smoothly. If that doesn’t work, you’ll have to disassemble the lock and pull out the cylinder itself. If completely disassembled, it can be lubricated immediately. We have already discussed how to lubricate the door lock.
If you have a lever mechanism, then initially you need to remove it from the door and disassemble its “secret”. After this, the crossbars are lubricated (it is better to do this with graphite powder or graphite lubricant). After lubrication, work the mechanism with a wrench several times.
How to lubricate the lock of a metal entrance door? All work is identical, as on any other door, only the problem will worsen if you have to remove the lock, because, for example, it is problematic to press a closed metal door. If you cannot solve the problem yourself, then call a specialist.
Other lock malfunctions
There is not a single perfect mechanism in the world. Over the years, any thing can break. The main reasons for the lock not to work properly:
- Various mechanical damage to the mechanism.
- Failure to comply with correct operating conditions.
- Skewing to one side or sagging door leaf.
- Incorrect installation of the door leaf.
Do not underestimate the problems voiced. They are relevant and lead to serious consequences. Keep an eye on your door to avoid problems with it and the lock.
Accessories
After we looked at how to lubricate the door lock of the front door, it’s time to talk about the fittings, namely the hinges. They can and should be lubricated on all doors (both modern and old). Lubricating door hinges is a multiple extension of their service life, as well as eliminating or preventing the nasty squeaking that sometimes occurs on any type of door.
Conclusion
If you regularly do maintenance (lubrication), this will significantly extend the life of the lock. Today we have completely discussed the question of how to lubricate the door lock of the front door and what to do it with. The most important thing to do before lubrication is to find out whether your mechanism can be lubricated. This is usually stated in the instructions.
If you notice that the lock is starting to work incorrectly, but you are not sure that it can be lubricated, and you simply do not want to do this, then call a technician who will give you advice and perform all the necessary steps for qualified repairs or maintenance.
In pursuit of soft lock operation, Russians love to use lubricants. This habit comes from the Soviet era: rubbing parts made of low-quality raw materials with huge gaps between each other needed to be lubricated for smooth operation. If you don't lubricate it, it won't work as it should.
Since then we have been pouring either “anti-freeze” into the garage lock, or sunflower oil into all other mechanisms.
Remember lubricant for modern door locks is harmful. Dirt from the key, atmospheric dust and worn-out metal of the key will then stick to it. A thick substance is formed - coke, which will stick to the elements of the lock and will interfere with its correct operation. For most modern locks, it is critical for grains of sand larger than 0.2 millimeters to get inside.
All modern locks leave the factories clean inside. The presence of lubricant in the secrecy mechanism today is a sign of hackwork and low quality.
Why do we strive to lubricate our people?
Usually, in this way he tries to restore the correct operation of the lock. And locks often begin to “stick” and “bite” for a million reasons that have nothing to do with lubrication.
An even bigger mistake than sunflower oil in a door lock is the use of “anti-freeze” or “brake protection” on garage locks. This is supposedly necessary to prevent the locks from freezing in winter.
The problem is that these liquids are hygroscopic, that is, they subsequently attract moisture to the parts from the air, as a result of which the lock mechanism, even if it has special treatment, quickly begins to corrode and become unusable.
Comrades, remember, in order for the lock to work well (regardless of where it is installed), it needs to create ideal conditions. That is: absence of dirt, grease, frost, condensation and ice. All other measures taken will only make life more difficult.
This is what is wrong:
When can you use lubricant? Are there such cases?
Yes.
The lock had not been used for several years - it stopped opening with the original key. In this case, it makes sense to spray WD-40 liquid into the lock mechanism. After successful opening, the lock must either be cleaned or completely replaced.
Conversely, there are situations when the lock does not open due to global wear and tear. In this case, the code elements and the key have decreased in size so much that they are unable to “reach” the required positions. In this case, for emergency opening of the lock, it is necessary to use, on the contrary, a thick lubricant like “Litol”.
If it helps, the lock needs to be cleaned and wear removed - Use with lubricant is strictly prohibited..
Door locks, like hinges, need to be lubricated regularly. This extends the life of the locking mechanism. Almost all types of locks on steel doors are lubricated. For this purpose, special compounds are used.
Why do you need to lubricate the door lock?
Door locks are subject to even more stress than hinges. These are complex mechanisms, so without proper care they will quickly fail. Most often, owners begin to carry out preventive maintenance on locks when any problems appear. For example, the mechanism is lubricated if it begins to jam. Ideally, such work should be carried out regularly.Locks are lubricated to extend their service life. Lubrication protects the mechanism from:
Corrosion and rust;
- dust;
- rubbing and complete wear.
Corrosion is the enemy of all steel structures. A lock that has been exposed to moisture or steam will not last long. Corrosion is especially dangerous for lock structures in steel doors of private houses.
Dust is another factor that can destroy the mechanism. Once inside, it can block the movement of the crossbars. The lock will begin to open worse.
Lubrication in the lock is needed for sliding. When there is little or no lubrication, the mechanism has difficulty working. The door does not open well, especially in certain weather conditions. In addition, this creates conditions for friction, rubbing and wear of the lock. The parts of the product begin to rub in, and as a result of friction, chips appear, which then clog the mechanism.
How to lubricate a lock: types of lubricants
Locking mechanisms can be lubricated with the same compounds as door hinges. It is important to choose the right funds. If you choose the wrong composition, you can only ruin the lock. All lubricants can be divided into two main categories:Special;
- folk.
Among folk remedies, such compositions as sunflower oil, graphite, melted fat and grease are well known. Litol and machine oil can also be partially attributed to folk remedies - these products have long been known among the population.
Special compounds are produced exclusively for lubricating mechanisms. This is, for example, WD40 - a universal lubricant that is also used to lubricate hinges and locks of both entrance and car doors. The composition can be obtained from a spray company, it is more convenient.
Silicone is suitable for some types of mechanisms; this is also a professional product. Litol, despite its popularity among the people, still belongs to the category of professional compositions. It is ideal for lubricating locks in private homes and protecting against freezing. The lithol composition prevents the locking mechanism from freezing even in the most severe cold. Carbon lubricant can be chosen instead of the usual graphite. This compound is a conductive graphite lubricant.
Features of lever locks
Reliable steel doors always have lever-type locks. Such mechanisms are also popularly called safe mechanisms. Leveling mechanisms are characterized by increased strength. These structures are best treated with dry lubricant; graphite is ideal for preventing. To lubricate the lock, you must first turn the key completely in the hole so that its mechanism comes out. It is on the “secret” that graphite shavings or dust are applied. Graphite is also additionally blown into the keyhole. Experts do not recommend using other types of lubricants for such mechanisms. Various fluid substances can lead to malfunction of the mechanism.
How are cylinder locks lubricated?
Cylinder locks are mechanisms with a cylinder that also require preventive maintenance. It is not recommended to pour lubricants into such lock structures. It is better to treat only the bolt itself using simple machine oil or WD40 lubricant. If you pour oil inside the mechanism, then very soon dust will begin to accumulate in the cylinder, which will clog the lock. The door will no longer open normally, and this will lead to further damage. Cylinder locks sometimes jam and can become corroded. As a last resort, if you need to check the mechanism, it is better to remove the cylinder and inspect it. In case of serious damage, the lock cylinder is replaced with a new one.
Does the combination lock need to be lubricated?
Like any other locking mechanisms, combination locks are also lubricated. However, it is impossible to give unambiguous recommendations on the choice of product here. Typically, the recommended compositions are indicated in the instructions for the lock. In each specific case, this may be some kind of specialized tool. One thing is certain - it is better not to pour folk compounds into such mechanisms.
Combination locks usually have special holes designed for the introduction of lubricants. The type of lubricant depends not only on the specific lock model, but also on the operating conditions. For example, when installing the mechanism on external doors, frost protection may be required. If the lock is installed on the internal door of an office or safe, then such compounds will not be required.
Lubricants that are developed for combination locks not only penetrate deeply into the mechanism and prevent friction and corrosion. They also additionally clean the lock from dust and dirt that inevitably gets inside.
How to care for door locks
Door locks require regular maintenance. To avoid problems with the mechanism in the future, you need to follow a number of rules.You should not wait until the lock completely jams or until some other problems appear. The best way to protect a lock is prevention. It is recommended to lubricate the doors approximately every six months. If the owner carries out such work less than once a year, then he exposes the mechanism to the risk of wear and premature failure.
You should always use suitable lubricants, and not use products recommended by neighbors or friends. Friends may have different locks and operating conditions for the mechanisms.
Locks on the external doors of private houses require even more careful maintenance. It is advisable to lubricate it approximately once every three to four months. This will avoid problems with mechanisms. External locks are subject to severe stress.
If you take care of your locks, you can extend their service life several times. Today, in addition to lubricants, you can also find in stores various cleaners and even compounds that defrost ice-covered lock structures.
Any lock requires maintenance, then it will serve you longer and without any jamming. The mechanism on the front door requires special attention, as it is directly exposed to the environment. Let's look at which lubricant is better and how to apply it correctly.
Why do you need lubrication?
Keyholes come across our path every day - this is the front door, and the doors of the garage or utility rooms. If any lock stops functioning, it will cause a lot of inconvenience. To avoid this, you should lubricate it on time.
Aerosol use
As a preventative measure, experts advise doing the treatment once a year. This method will remove unwanted dust and dirt and improve the turning ability of the locking elements.
Lubricant is used for several purposes:
- To improve turning.
- Increase service life.
- Prevent rust from forming.
At the same time, preventing contamination will prevent freezing, because freezing occurs in several cases:
- Direct contact with moisture.
- Not designed for outdoor use.
- Presence of dirt.
Moisture visor To avoid thickening of the lubricant, it is better to use a special spray. Let's consider how to treat the device before the onset of cold weather.
Advice: door hinges, which are responsible for the correct operation of the door leaf, also require periodic processing.
Type of lubricant
If you are wondering how to lubricate the lock to prevent the formation of rust and freezing due to accumulated dirt, then you can use various products that will cope well with this task:
- “Working off” is a product that is obtained from used machine oil. This option is suitable for standard models and will help car owners save on the purchase of special products.
- Silicone. Suitable for cylinders, as it will ensure complete sliding of the elements and protection against corrosion.
- Graphite dust. A leveler lubricated in this way will last much longer.
- Sunflower oil. Cleaning in this way can only be done in the most extreme cases, if there is nothing at hand, and you need to lubricate it urgently.
- Melted fat. It will only give a one-time effect, and over time it will only make it worse.
- W.D. A popular anti-rust product. It can be used to lubricate the cylinder and other elements to prevent corrosion.
- Solid oil. Often used to lubricate a wide variety of elements.
- Litol. Waterproof lubricant, most often used for bearings, but can also be treated with it.
- Carbon. The liquid looks like a dark, flowing substance that can subsequently be easily washed off with water.
Lubrication If you are planning to buy a professional product in a store, then give preference to aerosols, as they are easier to apply. You can also separately buy a product such as hinge lubricant.
Important! The products should not be applied using cotton wool, which will only clog the lock more.
How to apply the product
When you have decided what to lubricate, proceed to the process of applying the product itself. To avoid further damage, follow the rules for applying lubricant.
- First you need to clean the well. To do this, pour a special cleaning liquid into it. It will remove dust, dirt or other particles from the lock.
- Wet the device with liquid, and in such an amount that it flows out. Just make sure that the door leaf itself does not get wet.
- To ensure that all debris is removed from the well, rotate the key several times, removing dirt from the key in between.
- Now inject or pour the product into the keyhole. Wipe off excess with a napkin or cotton cloth.
- Wait a little, take out the key and wipe it dry. First check if everything is working correctly now.
- If you are processing a lever lock, you should first remove it from the canvas and open the secret. Then treat with graphite powder and assemble back.
You can pour lubricant separately into the cylinder If you carry out preventive maintenance regularly, then the question of how to defrost a device that has frozen due to accumulated dirt will not arise.
To make it clearer to you how the lubrication process occurs, watch the video:
How to prevent freezing in cold weather
In addition to clean maintenance, two conditions must also be met to avoid freezing:
- Choose a model that is not exposed to aggressive environments.
- Do not allow moisture or condensation to form inside.
To prevent the garage lock from freezing, it is better to install a lever lock. Moreover, in the cold, structures with rigid springs on levers perform well.
Also, the correct choice of the door leaf itself will save your door from freezing. If you install a door with an additional layer of thermal insulation, this will prevent the formation of condensation on the structure, and, therefore, will save you in the cold.
And do not forget to control the process of direct moisture penetration, that is, the door should be under the visor. If you want to secure your garage door, install a small canopy.
Most often, automobile mechanisms are exposed to cold, which subsequently have to be defrosted.
How to defrost a car lock
As already mentioned, absolutely any type can freeze, including slatted ones. Even an electromechanical or combination lock can malfunction when the temperature drops sharply, although it will not physically freeze, since it is located inside the door. What to do if the lock on the car door freezes?
Defrosting with a hot key If your car door lock is frozen, do the following:
- Heat the key. When hot, insert into the keyhole. Wait a bit and try to open the door.
- Open the hood of the car. Place the key in brake fluid or anti-freeze. Insert the key into the lock cylinder and wait until the ice melts.
- If you have a hair dryer, it will quickly heat the required area.
- You can ask a nearby car enthusiast for help and warm the lock with exhaust gases. To do this, you need to select a hose of the required size and connect one end to the exhaust pipe, and attach the other to the lock.
- You can add pure alcohol, just pure alcohol. He can handle ice.
So that you do not have to resort to all these methods, it is necessary to carry out anti-freeze treatment.
To avoid freezing, it is necessary to carry out preventive maintenance, maintain cleanliness and ensure the absence of moisture. You can decide on your own what is best to lubricate in winter, and you can use improvised products or store-bought ones.
Choose from a wide variety of lubricants that are suitable for your type and carry out preventive maintenance at least once a year. Then you won't have to defrost.
Also, take into account the specifics of purchasing a lock for the entrance block and take care of the visor to avoid moisture settling inside.
