Originally Posted by
lhcommons
I had a completely different freezing-cold-morning experience today: I got to the commuter rail train station and couldn't unlock my lock:it was frozen. So I poured some coffee (yes, wasted precious hot java) on the lock, and was able to get the key in and partly turned, before it froze up again. Then the train arrived. I poured a little more coffee on it... and could turn it back a bit... but couldn't get the key out of the lock.
So I left the bike on the rack, left my lock with the key in it (removed the key ring with house and car keys from the bike lock key) and got on the train. Fortunately, my wife was able to go by later and put another lock on it. Tomorrow morning is supposed to be just as cold here... but I'll bring a second cup of HOT WATER to try loosening the damn lock!
I always like to use a lighter or de-icer but I would NEVER ever pour a liquid on a lock as it can actually destroy the lock when the ice expands plus it is pretty much guaranteed to freeze up if you do so. The lighter works on the key usually just heating it up enough to get in there or you can try right on the lock itself. I never tried purell but that is definitely a better choice than coffee. Plus the fact that a good cup o' joe should never be wasted! Hope you get that bike free'd up tomorrow, and glad your wife got a second lock on it!