Consider WD-40s New Silicon Out Perfoms Houdini!!

Although it is true that all petroleum-based lubricants attract dust, I still love WD-40s original formula lubricant, especially since the manufacturer began fitting the cans with a dual action sprayer. 

If you are lubricating door hinges, commercial store-front glass door locks, and the actual deadbolt bolts and latches, keep on using the original formula.  Why?  Because the oil-based lubricant is going to have a longer life span.

However, now that WD-40 has introduced the silicon based spray, I have quit using the original formula as a lubricant for the pins in the locks themselves.  If you do come across an ancient lock cylinder that is oily-gluey-sticky because of years of being oiled, flush it with the old WD-40.  When you are finished, follow up with the silicon-based product.  When you do, be sure to flush the lock cylinder well.

The new silicon-based product leaves behind a nice dry lubricant while creating a water-proof barrier and a residual dry coating.

As a locksmith, I have since quit using Houdini.  My experience has been that Houdini does not last very long in lock applications.  Not only that, when you spray Houdini, it shoots out like a geyser, soaks you, the door, and your customer's merchandise.  Why Houdini cannot design a nice, easy-to-use spray can is beyond belief. 

Be sure to add WD-40 silicone spray to your arsenal.  You can find it Lowe's or Home Depot.  Just look for the yellow, black, and green can.

Lubricating Locks and Key Cylinders

People often ask if graphite is the proper lubricant to use in a lock.  Well, I hesitate to say any lubricant is not proper; but graphite does have a tendency to build up in the key cylinder over time.  Given the choice of lubricants, I would say that, yes, graphite is okay.

Many people will disagree with me when I say that, after 24 years as a locksmith, I still prefer to use WD-40.  Can you believe it?  You can spray the key hole, the latches and bolts, and the hinges.  WD-40 is especially good when you shut you door and the latch bounces off of the strike without locking.  Just shoot a squirt into the latch and you are ready to go.  Because WD-40 is a petroleum product, it will tend to attract some dust and thicken over time.  If this happens, you can shoot some more into the lock.  This build-up, however, will take quite a while.  I would go so far to say that the oil used by Kwikset in their locks is worse.

What about these so-called lubricants that use Teflon or silicon?  These are often sold as dry lubes or fast-drying lubricants.  One such product is Tri-Flow.  In all my years of experience, I have learned that these lubricants do not hold up over even a small amount of time.  Not only are they quite expensive, bu they are third-rate as well.  I quit using them.

If you need a lock and related hardware lubricant, WD-40 is still the way to go.  Is it perfect?  No.  But it is still better than anything else out there!