It's Frozen - The key in the ignition!

Originally Posted by maviczap

Grease is not good for locks, it'll make the tumblers stick once dirt gets inside.

Locksmiths use graphite powder to lubricate locks.

in work we had special grease (well it wasnt normal grease and the lock wouldnt budge) for it as electrical panels wouldnt open. Multi-purpose grease will stick but WD does strip the internals out if you use it to de-ice locks every time it freezes.

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by thefallenangel

in work we had special grease for it as electrical panels wouldnt open. Multi-purpose grease will stick but WD does strip the internals out if you use it to de-ice locks every time it freezes.

Agreed about WD40, but you didn't specifiy what kind of grease, and as you know most folk are going to have a multi purpose grease in the garage Which isn't going to do their locks any good.

At least WD will evaporate, leaving no lubricant behind, but better than using sticky multi purpose grease.

Originally Posted by maviczap

Agreed about WD40, but you didn't specifiy what kind of grease, and as you know most folk are going to have a multi purpose grease in the garage Which isn't going to do their locks any good.

At least WD will evaporate, leaving no lubricant behind, but better than using sticky multi purpose grease.

true and agreed. Can't remember exactly what type of grease it was but it wasn't multi-purpose stuff. Will find out now.

[JediGoat]

I went to start the bike this morning...and couldn't get the key more than half way into the ignition

10 minutes of wiggling, followed by a lightbulb moment when I remembered an old bottle on de-icer in the boot of the car. A quick squirt on the key, and a minute or so later, it turned

So, now added to my essential things to carry on the bike in this weather (waterproofs, disc lock, oyster card, flask of hot coffee) is a bottle of de-icer

Jo

Silicone grease----elect friendly and waterproof

Or heat the key a little with a lighter, or if you out and about on the bike use the engine. Don't melt the grip though by giving it to much heat.

Was frozen today, and I heated the key up with a lighter.

Worked fine

Lighter on the key works - except in the blinkin wind!

Open youre jacket and shield it in the wind..

Or put the lighter inbetween youre jacket and next layer.

Originally Posted by SUPERSTARDJ01

Lock de-icer

+1 contains graphite and isopropyl, works great