A Guide to Lock Maintenance
We use locks everyday but most of us do not think of maintaining them. There is actually an easy method of cleaning locks so that it will last us for a very long time. It will only take a few minutes and can be done a few times a year or even just once a year will do. All it takes is lubricating the parts so that it will move smoothly.
Some people use graphite powder to lubricate locks because it does not collect dust and it does not have a strong smell like rust removers. The problem with this powder is that it expands so that it makes a mess inside the lock. If there is no other lubricant, this will do, but it is not really the ideal one to use. One of the best comes in aerosol bottles that you can spray in and the spray quickly dries leaving the lubricant intact. You can find these kinds of lubricants from your local hardware or locksmith.
You need to clean the locks first. One great way to clean locks is to mix water with lemon juice and some salt. This is a cheap way o f cleaning it. Lemon juice is a natural degreaser and salt is a light abrasive. Use your old tooth brush to scrub everything lightly then quickly rinse and dry everything. If you have a compressed can of air you can use it for quick drying. When everything is dry you can move on to your maintenance task.
If you are using a spray lubricant, make sure to shake the can really well before using. This will ensure that anything that has settled in the can will mix back together. These cans usually have a plastic spray tube which you can place in the keyhole. Then spray two or three, one second bursts of spray. Allow the dry lubricant to penetrate the hole for around 10 seconds and then insert the key. Turn the key a couple of time to make sure that the houdini lock lubricant is spread and to make sure also that it works. If it is still a bit sticky you should repeat the process spraying once or twice. If on the second try the key is still not working smoothly you should take the lock apart to clean it or else it perhaps needs replacement. When the keyway is lubricated, extend the bold and spray a short burst on it. Open and retract the bold a couple of times and see if it works great.
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