Water displacement 40 to the rescue

Bruce from Can. · Jan 24, 2017

Lock on the fuel tank was frozen, and I couldn't even get the key in. Today was just above freezing, so I thought , today's the day. Key went in , but wouldn't trun . Went and got my trusty can of WD40 and gave the lock a few shots up the key hole. Presto! Opened right up. Now my question for the brain trust is , will this keep the lock from freezing the next time it turns cold? Bruce

fredstev · Jan 24, 2017

A propane torch. Just kidding.

We use lock deicer on RR switch locks, etc., and it works great.

ss55 · Jan 24, 2017

The dried silicone residue may do some lubricating and displace some incoming water. To lubricate a lock, I prefer to dip the end of the key in motor oil and then open the lock with the key a few times to distribute the oil. On padlocks, drip some motor oil on each side of the shackle and cycle the lock a few times.

WI Dan · Jan 24, 2017

My guess is No but my hope is Yes.

JF in MI · Jan 24, 2017

I used to work at a place where every day this guy went out to one of the trailers we had for storage. In the winter the lock was always frozen so he would pour a cup of hot water in it to thaw it out. Never could figure out why the lock would be frozen again the next morning even if it didn't rain.

SDE · Jan 24, 2017

The trunk lock on my car was froze up, or maybe it was rusted shut. I used PB Blaster and after a week of trying it, it opened. I have not had anymore trouble with it.

guido · Jan 24, 2017

Hello fredstef,

Propane torch or cigarette lighter. If its frozen warm the key two or three times if necessary. Melt that
rascal to open every time!

Guido.

old · Jan 24, 2017

I theory it should work for a while up till the WD40 has dried up and a lot of water gets back in. Of course many things come into play will does the lock sit in such a way that rain/snow can and will go into the key slot easily or does it sit so the slot faces down ?

wilson ind · Jan 24, 2017

not kidding I use propane torch

pete black · Jan 24, 2017

Common occurance in the electric utility business. We never used any oil based lubricant in locks as the residual attracted dust which clogged up the tumblers. We kept those long propane lighters on the crew trucks to quickly thaw out locks.

MARK ROBKE · Jan 24, 2017

Bruce,there is a product called Lock Eze (sp?) that is graphite based and it works real well.The WD40 will probably work ok tho,but Lock EZe,or Ease, is the best thing I've used.Auto parts houses should carry it.Mark

DoubleR · Jan 24, 2017

I got a lock that will freeze up in the cold. I cup my hands around it for a minute or so and that will thaw it out most of the time.

1370pwr in ne · Jan 24, 2017

That's funny!Some do the best they can with what they have to work with. Lol!

JMS/.MN · Jan 24, 2017

If that elec pump is 110 volt, borrow the hair dryer from your better half....safer than a torch. My son used a hair dryer to free the dog when gonads were frozen to the ground. Now, that"s a whole other story!

Paul from MI · Jan 24, 2017

Check with your local locksmith. Mine says WD40 no good, eventually gums up the tumblers. He recommends some other lube that doesn't leave a residue, can't remember the name but I bet your local lock guy has something.

GarryinNC · Jan 24, 2017

(quoted from post at 22:43:03 01/24/17) Check with your local locksmith. Mine says WD40 no good, eventually gums up the tumblers. He recommends some other lube that doesn't leave a residue, can't remember the name but I bet your local lock guy has something.

I use something from the locksmith called 'Houdini'. It is thin as water but works great on locks. Available online, about $15/can, which will last a lifetime. Lowes sells the same product under a different name. Don't have the can handy, will check.

Garry

Leroy · Jan 24, 2017

Lock EZ is what I have used for years

Gambles · Jan 24, 2017

I don't use WD-40 as a penetrating oil because I feel there are much better products available for that.
However, WD-40 works great for drying out a wet distributor cap.
I've also heard some people still use it to kill leg mites in a flock of infested birds. (Google it)

mj · Jan 24, 2017

(quoted from post at 15:01:31 01/24/17) ...................... Now my question for the brain trust is , will this keep the lock from freezing the next time it turns cold? Bruce

Probably not. But what [b:0bb6a60fa4]guido[/b:0bb6a60fa4] said works everytime! [i:0bb6a60fa4]Propane torch or cigarette lighter. If its frozen warm the key two or three times if necessary. Melt that
rascal to open every time!
[/i:0bb6a60fa4] 8)

Bob · Jan 25, 2017

I (under protest) have to take SWMBO's dogs out from time to time and the big girl loves wallowing in snow.

Often, once back inside the snap on her lead is frozen preventing her from being disengaged from it so I can return to napping in the recliner.

I simply wrap my (cold) hand around the snap and within a half-minute or less the snap unthaws, no magic jizz involved.

Mite work on a small keyed lock, as well.

YAMMV!

Meangreen · Jan 25, 2017

(quoted from post at 03:20:24 01/25/17) If that elec pump is 110 volt, borrow the hair dryer from your better half....safer than a torch. My son used a hair dryer to free the dog when gonads were frozen to the ground. Now, that"s a whole other story!

You have my attention!! I have got to hear this one!

BarnyardEngineering · Jan 25, 2017

We never used any oil based lubricant in locks as the residual attracted dust which clogged up the tumblers.

You are exactly right. The "wet" lubricants and de-icers are only a temporary solution. The problem will only come back worse next time, until it gets so bad you have to cut the lock off.

Dry graphite ONLY in locks. I fought with the padlocks on my trailer for years. They'd get hard to open, I'd squirt 'em, they'd work for a while, I'd squirt 'em, they'd work for less time, I'd squirt 'em, they'd work for even less time, I'd squirt 'em, then they wouldn't work at all, so I'd have to throw them out and get new locks. The last set of locks has only been lubed with powdered graphite, and they've lasted longer than all the other sets combined.

2underage · Jan 25, 2017

I just take the lock off mine in the winter. Other than me, there are not a lot of thieves that use diesel fuel.

pete black · Jan 25, 2017

why didn't you try the "wrapping your hands around and blowing on them" trick?

Russ from MN · Jan 25, 2017

I just hold padlocks in my hand too, in a short time they are thawed, and that's in N MN where it gets really cold!

olgentdc · Jan 26, 2017

bruce if you set that wd 40 ontop of the hot water heater over nite ,, that hot juice will thaw out a bunch of things

Water displacement 40 to the rescue

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