Door Lock Lubrication

[money pit]

Good afternoon everyone. What type lubrication is good for the door locking mechanism? Is there such a thing as a lubricant that doesn't dry up, cake up, and attract dirt? I have been using the white lithium grease. This has the tendency to dry up and get caked up. Is WD-40 or a silicon spay lube better? I plan on removing my lock mechanism and cleaning them up, since they probably have been in the car since 1970. Thanks.

 

[Xcudame]

White lithium grease is pretty dang good for the price. You really want something better and not concerned about cost? Try Krytox 240AC, but it is not cheap ($470 a tube!)! But it's aerospace (NASA) type grease. I've used it on interior doors parts for years.

Whoops, we couldn't find that.

 

[Chryco Psycho]

I agree with White Lithium for moving parts , the lock cylinder should only have Graphite in it , small parts will stop moving if oil based lube is used as dirt will stick

 

[pschlosser]

it will take decades of driving for the new (lithium) grease to get caked with dirt, or harden enough to be an issue. and that's driving frequently. if it spends most of the week in a garage, i vote it'll be 40+ years before the locking mechs would need another cleaning.

 

[money pit]

White lithium grease is pretty dang good for the price. You really want something better and not concerned about cost? Try Krytox 240AC, but it is not cheap ($470 a tube!)! But it's aerospace (NASA) type grease. I've used it on interior doors parts for years.

Whoops, we couldn't find that.

That's a little pricey. I live near JPL, I'll see if any of my neighbors can get me a dab of this stuff (a little dab will do you), In the meantime I'll stick with lithium grease. Thanks

 

[money pit]

I agree with White Lithium for moving parts , the lock cylinder should only have Graphite in it , small parts will stop moving if oil based lube is used as dirt will stick

Thanks.

 

[money pit]

it will take decades of driving for the new (lithium) grease to get caked with dirt, or harden enough to be an issue. and that's driving frequently. if it spends most of the week in a garage, i vote it'll be 40+ years before the locking mechs would need another cleaning.

I think the Calif sun bakes everything. I park the car outside, covered with a car cover and a thick tarp. I'm in the process of cleaning out my garage so it will stay cool. Thanks

 

[pschlosser]

I think the Calif sun bakes everything. I park the car outside, covered with a car cover and a thick tarp. I'm in the process of cleaning out my garage so it will stay cool. Thanks

note: when i have stored cars outside, for years, covered, I find the cover rubs on the paint, and after a year or two of weathering wind, rain and storms, the paint gets damaged by the moving car cover.

if you're doing this for a season, you'll bef fine.