Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Spray the lock with WD-40
• Method 2 of 2: Lubricate the lock with graphite powder
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

After frequent use, you may notice that the lock on your door starts to jam, making it difficult to insert, turn, and remove the key. This happens when dust, dirt and other debris build up on the internal mechanism that makes the lock move. A jamming lock can be very frustrating, and it's the last thing you want to deal with when you get home after a long day. Fortunately, you only need one or two cheap products and a few minutes to get your lock mechanism to move smoothly again.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Spray the lock with WD-40

1. Buy a bus of WD-40. Go to a hardware store near you and buy a WD-40 bus. WD-40 is a widely used household lubricating oil that can be used for a variety of mechanisms, from bicycle chains to door hinges. If your lock isn't in a bad shape, it probably just needs a little splash of WD-40.
   • WD-40 is generally a good product to have around the house if you need a universal lubricant quickly, although it will eventually dry out and you will need to reapply.
   • Do not use lubricants that are unsuitable for DIY jobs, such as cooking oil, botanical oil, and sewing machine oil. Most oils only attract dust particles that create new layers on the lock mechanism, making the problem worse.
2. Attach the applicator straw to the nozzle of the can. Attach the red applicator straw that you got with the WD-40 canister. The straw is thin and flexible and fits exactly on the opening of the nozzle where the oil comes out. By using a straw you can get deep into the mechanism of the lock and lubricate it better.
   • Some new vans WD-40 have a straw that is permanently attached. See if you can find such a van in the store, because it is just what you need.
   • A straw also ensures that you only spray the lubricant into the lock itself, instead of all over your front door.
3. Insert the straw into the opening of the lock. Insert the end of the straw into the opening of the lock where you normally put your key. Push the straw into the lock as far as it will go to make sure you cover all clamping parts of the mechanism with WD-40.
4. Spray the WD-40 into the lock. Push the button on the back of the WD-40 can to spray the lubricant into the lock. Don't be afraid to use a generous amount of oil as a clamping lock can certainly use that. Keep pushing the spray button until WD-40 starts to flow out of the opening of the lock.
   • By wearing gloves when working with a lubricant you can avoid making a slippery mess.
5. Test the lock. Let the WD-40 soak for a few minutes. This allows the agent to loosen the dust and dirt particles that have collected in the lock and prevent the mechanism from moving properly. When the waist has been able to retract, take your key out of the lock a few times and take it out. Watch how smoothly the key slides in and out of the lock. If you don't encounter any resistance, then you're done. If the lock is still slightly jamming, it may be necessary to use a stronger lubricant such as graphite powder.
   • Make sure you have coated all parts of the lock mechanism with a layer of lubricant by turning the door a few times on the lock and taking it off the lock. After you inject WD-40 into the lock, the pins in the lock should come off without resistance and the cylinder should spin easily when you turn your key in the lock.
   • Regularly lubricate the locks in your home with WD-40 to maintain them.

Method 2 of 2: Lubricate the lock with graphite powder

1. Buy a tube of graphite powder. Graphite powder is a special dry lubricant that you can buy at most hardware stores and department stores. It is formulated to provide smooth movement between two metal surfaces without attracting dirt, meaning it doesn't solidify like oil-based lubricants do. If your lock is so tight that you can barely take out and insert your key, then you may need something as strong as graphite powder.
   • After use, the graphite particles form a thin film on the surface of the metal, lubricating the lock and "wiping away" dust and dirt particles.
   • You can buy a small package of graphite powder for a few euros at most hardware stores.
2. Cut the plastic tip off the end of the tube. Most graphite powder containers have a tough plastic covering the tip that you must remove before use. Grab a utility knife or sharp pair of scissors and cut or trim the plastic from the end of the tube. Make sure to make an opening large enough to allow the graphite to flow out easily.
3. Hold the tip of the tube against the lock. Place the end of the tube against the opening of the lock. You may be able to insert part of the tip into the opening, depending on the size of the tube. If not, hold the tube at a ninety degree angle to the lock. The powder should still enter the lock deep enough to lubricate the mechanism.
   • Make sure to keep the tube straight so that the graphite does not flow out of the opening.
   • Consider covering part of the door around the lock so that no loose graphite particles fall on the floor.
4. Squeeze some graphite powder into the lock. Gently squeeze the tube to release some puffs of graphite powder into the lock. Try not to use a very large amount, as graphite is a strong agent and a little bit will go a long way. Let the graphite do its job for a minute or two.
   • Start with a little bit of lubricant and use more if the lock still sticks.
   • Handle graphite powder with care, otherwise fine black powder can get all over the place and stain and make a lot of mess.
5. Put the key in the lock. Test the lock by inserting and removing your key once or twice. Now it shouldn't be a problem getting the key in and out of the lock. Turn the key in both directions to see how smoothly it moves.
   • Inserting and removing your key will spread the graphite in the lock to the places that need it most.
6. Repeat if necessary. If the lock is still sticking a little, spray in some graphite powder a few more times. Always test the lock after squeezing the tube. When the graphite has spread through the lock, it removes the dirt that is holding back the mechanism of the lock so that you have a fully functioning door that is not a problem.
   • If the lock is particularly stubborn, also squeeze some graphite on the part of the mechanism that moves in and out of the door frame when you push down on the door handle. This can help ensure that you can easily turn the key in the lock.
   • If the lock is still having problems after trying graphite powder, call a locksmith to come and see your lock. Sometimes the problem is caused by the pins in the lock becoming loose and sliding down, which cannot be solved with lubricant alone.

Tips

• Always wash your hands if you get WD-40 or graphite powder on your bare skin.
• Keep the WD-40 and graphite powder in a place in your home where you can easily access them so that you have them on hand when your locks are getting a cure.
• Try to lubricate the locks in your doors about once a year to keep them working properly, even if they aren't jamming yet.
• The problem is not always caused by the lock. Check your keys for signs of damage and wear. Have new keys made when they are pretty worn out. If the teeth of the key are blunt, it can be difficult to get the pins moving in a lock.
• If you still have problems with your lock after a graphite powder treatment, it may need to be taken apart and cleaned by hand. The lock may also need to be replaced.

Warnings

• Graphite can have a slightly corrosive effect on galvanized aluminum. Before using graphite powder, check whether parts of the lock or door are made of aluminum.
• Be careful when using a knife or scissors to avoid injury.
• Use not too much graphite powder. You quickly use too much graphite powder and it eventually cakes on the lock, making the lock more difficult to use. Liquid graphite becomes tacky after a few years and if you apply WD-40 on it, you can soak the liquid graphite off.
• Using graphite powder can be messy. Keep that in mind when using it to fix a jamming lock.
• Be careful not to inhale the graphite particles, as this can cause you to get sick or get an infection.

Necessities

• WD-40
• Straw that you can attach to the can with lubricant
• Graphite powder
• Craft knife or scissors
• Work gloves and / or an old rag (optional)