how to stop gate freezing shut?

ali-t

I have a metal gate in my garden and the latch is slightly rusty. when it is frosty the latch freezes shut and I either have to fight with the gate (if I am outside it) or spray it with de-icer or pour hot water over it if i am on the inside.

Any tips to stop this happening? Does it need painted again or will something like WD40 make a difference?

phill99

WD40 Should certainly help. Or a thin coat pf 3D oil.

ali-t

what is 3D oil? Where can I get it?

Lorian

Vaseline or grease will have effect for longer.

27col

A smear of grease is the answer as Lorian says.

phill99

3D oil is a light lubricating oil. It can be got from Bike shops, Halfords, Wilkinsons etc. But as Lorian says, Grease or Vaseline is good. Vaseline is a petroleum based product (as they all are except WD40) and has a lower freezing point than other non petroleum based products. Additionally, you may well have veseline in your medicine cabinet etc so it won't cost you any thing.

ali-t

vaseline it is. thanks everyone - another problem sorted.

DVardysShadow

[QUOTE=ali-t;27801537... the latch is slightly rusty. when it is frosty the latch freezes shut and I either have to fight with the gate (if I am outside it) or spray it with de-icer or pour hot water over it if i am on the inside.

Any tips to stop this happening?[/QUOTE]
Your hot water and possibly the de-icer are making the rusting worse

brightonman123

a new latch methinks..

ali-t

brightonman123 wrote: »

a new latch methinks..

It is a metal gate with a handle attached and all looks welded together. The fence is a bit like this and the gate matches to give you an idea. Can the latch on these be changed?



http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&amp;fh_secondid=9789225&amp;fh_view_size=50&amp;fh_start_index=0&amp;fh_eds=?&amp;fh_location=//catal!!!1/en_GB/categories<{9372012}/categories<{9372019}/categories<{9572012}/specificationsProductType=metal_railings&amp;fh_refview=lister&amp;ts=1260722494713&amp;isSearch=false

brightonman123

pic linky not working for me.. can only sugest getting old one cut out, or using a bit of rope..?