I have a Kryptonite Evolution lock and thanks to inclement weather, its rusted inside. Everything still works fine still but I'm worried. Rust is never good.

I can pour in thin oil but I'm worried it may get into the lock mechanism and that would be bad. Oil and locks are never good thanks to dirt accumulation. (Locksmiths use graphite for locks.)

If I don't soak the inside with oil I can't reach all the parts inside. Anybody know the insides of this lock? Kind of hard to disassemble! I could use a brush on a wire that can be curved I suppose as a way of reaching more of the inside. And I'll probably never be able to remove the existing rust.

Use some thing like PB Blaster to clean out the rust and once a month or so drip some lite oil ( like triflo ) into it and you should be fine .

At work we have really good results pouring White Lightning Clean Ride into the keyhole.
It's Wax based, not Oil.
So it dries and doesn't attract dirt that might potentially make things worse later.

I just hit mine with WD-40 once a year.

WD-40 was going to be my suggestion, too. Shoot the lock full of the stuff, then exercise the lock a few times and turn it so all the WD_40 will drain out. Add graphite if you wish.


Actually, the last couple times I've bought graphite it was suspended in some sort of light oil. Can you still get the dry stuff? (Is it known to the state of California to cause cancer or something?)

Hello BF2, It sounds like a city bike? That stays outdoors year round. I.ve never had this problem. I'd get a (Spray) can of lithium grease. The only place that sells it is around here is Auto Zone. Give it a good spray. Usually WD-40 is pretty good for your outdoor house locks, padlocks, etc.
A few Home Depot's around here. Sell auto parts, fluids, etc. Located at the front wall of the store. WD-40, Stands for water displacement. But it is useful on bikes. New Index shifting systems, seem to work better, with slightly more maintence. 10-4

bf2, Howdy;

Personal preference is to use a CPL (Cleaner Protector Lubricant), like Breakfree
(I'm just a customer), the military switched to it from WD-40 when they found WD
attracted moisture ... (not good for firearms). Fill up the lock with Breakfree and
allow it to sit for awhile (time dependent on amount of crud in the lock), dump into
an approved container. If you are concerned about the keying mechanism then I
would drip some rubbing alcohol into it to displace the CPL, allow it to dry them apply
the graphite.
For ongoing preventive maintenance I would suggest a light spray of CPL into the
locking mech. on a monthly basis, more often during less then good weather.

hank

Rust is a pretty good abrasive, mixed with lube even better. One option if you have a syringe and needle is
to squirt a dilute phosphoric acid solution (ie diet coke) into the lock or immerse in same and let sit overnite
in warm area. Then wash out lock with clean water repeatedly, then use 90% alcohol to rinse out the water
several times or just put in very warm area after water rinse. Because of the nature of locks some sort of
injector is best with this approach. Then lube with a lock lubricant.

What this does is explained here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosph...ersion_coating
Iron phosphate is a good rust inhibitor by itself.

Google on lock lubricants shows a bunch, graphite included, might be sl messy tho: https://www.amazon.com/Powdered-Grap.../dp/B00ENQ3BAI

WD-40 or PB Blaster, then let it sit for 15 minutes. Turn it over, let it drip out and dry.
I then use a marine silicone lubricant, but perhaps the lock lubricants others are suggesting would work even better.