Originally Posted by
ddac
What do you recommend in terms of lock maintenance? In the old days, I heard people used to stick crushed lead in locks as lube.....but I'm sure there's far better ways now. Any recommendations?
Sure.
DO NOT USE POWDERED GRAPHITE IN YOUR BIKE LOCKS.
DO NOT USE WD-40 AS A LUBRICANT ON YOUR BIKE LOCK.
After some time, particulates (foreign material) will get into the keyway. The graphite will cling to this crud and clump up, essentially defeating its own purpose.
WD-40 is a water displacement product. It is used as a cleaner, not a lubricant. When it dries, it will also attract particulates, gunking up your lock. It SHOULD be used on OLD, gunky, rusty, cruddy locks to clean them out. Spray some into the keyway and all moving parts. Wait 5 minutes or so and wipe as much out as you can. Wait as long as you can to let it dry out, and apply a teflon lubricant.
Use any teflon based lubricant. I use 'tri-flow'.
Spray some into the keyway and work it in by running the key in and out rapidly and turning the key in the lock repeatedly. This should be done 2-10 times per year, depending on how frequently you use the lock.