Lubricating 5 lever mortice lock

littlemoney

I gave two 5 lever mortice locks which are difficult to turn. One is stuck in the locked position and I can't open the door. The other is unlocked but not in used as I'm concerned I might get locked in or out. Both are second external doors on porches with a another door I can lock.

What is the best lubricant to use please. There's conflicting advice when I look online.

TadleyBaggie

I had a front door lock that was becoming harder to turn. Used a PTFE WD40 lubricating spray. Worked a treat.

beckstar1975

when ours got stuck I have to say I used sunflower oil as that's all we had to hand and we were literally stuck with a non-functioning lock. I've since bought silicone spray as advised and given them a good go with that and they're still fine (about 18 months after using the oil) and no ill effects

CliveOfIndia

PTFE or Graphite spray are pretty good for locks - better than standard WD40 which can end up just trapping dust over time and getting gummed up.

The real old-school method is to rub a pencil lead on sandpaper to create your own graphite dust, which you can then work into all the moving parts - also coat the key with it, then insert, turn and remove the key a few times to get it into the actual lock.  But graphite spray is probably a lot more convenient and easier to apply.

grumpy_codger

Personally, I disasemble a lock, even new, and grease the sliding plates and the springs. My 10-15 y.o. lock works flawlessly.

ButterCheese

WD40 is not strictly speaking a lubricant (even though it's slippery).  It tends to wash away after time and is very thin.  A better solution would be silicone grease which you can buy in a can from Toolstation or similar.  It's also rubber safe (they use it in the runners of car windows etc) and will stay put longer than WD40

TadleyBaggie

ButterCheese said:

WD40 is not strictly speaking a lubricant (even though it's slippery).  It tends to wash away after time and is very thin.  A better solution would be silicone grease which you can buy in a can from Toolstation or similar.  It's also rubber safe (they use it in the runners of car windows etc) and will stay put longer than WD40

I was referring to the specialist WD40 (brand) PTFE lubricant spray, not the regular WD40 product.

GlitterMedusa

I use graphite powder (I don't make my own though, I just buy it!)

bjorn_toby_wilde

ButterCheese said:

WD40 is not strictly speaking a lubricant (even though it's slippery).  It tends to wash away after time and is very thin.  A better solution would be silicone grease which you can buy in a can from Toolstation or similar.  It's also rubber safe (they use it in the runners of car windows etc) and will stay put longer than WD40

I always understood that was the case but someone pointed me in the direction of the WD40 website, which says that’s a myth and it does contain lubricants.

I prefer GT85 though. Just because I’ve always got a can or two around for use on bike cables, etc. and I really dislike WD40’s new nozzle design!

diveunderthebonnet

bjorn_toby_wilde said:

ButterCheese said:

WD40 is not strictly speaking a lubricant (even though it's slippery).  It tends to wash away after time and is very thin.  A better solution would be silicone grease which you can buy in a can from Toolstation or similar.  It's also rubber safe (they use it in the runners of car windows etc) and will stay put longer than WD40

I always understood that was the case but someone pointed me in the direction of the WD40 website, which says that’s a myth and it does contain lubricants.

I prefer GT85 though. Just because I’ve always got a can or two around for use on bike cables, etc. and I really dislike WD40’s new nozzle design!

Another vote for GT85 ,we used it a lot at work and as now retired have to buy it but still think it is good ,WD40 used to be best for car ignitions when we had distributors ,visible spark plugs and HT leads as the name stood for Water Dispersant ,when younger always used to marvel at how you could spray liquid onto an already sparking/shorting HT system and make it work . 

TELLIT01

As the OP has said the one door is locked and can't be opened their only real option is a spray of some form into the keyhole.  I've successfully used WD40 on a lock in a similar situation.