BXProject

[Philhod]

There are a number of lubricants for yer locks, that have antifreeze capabilities down to -20.
Once grease hardens up it can cause more problems than it solves.

[catsinthewelder]

Hi Phil, are you thinking graphite type stuff?

Lucky you said, I was just going to splat cv joint grease about same as I've got a tub in the bus. That said would copperslip be any good?

[Philhod]

Actually graphited greases are OK as they don't congeal as easily. Liquid oils speciailly formulated for lock mechanisms are available quite cheaply, from any parts outlet.
The main reason these are better for icy conditions is, as a liquid, it gets right inside, therefore lubricating and stopping ice forming at the same time.
Ordinary vegetable or mineral based greases solidify with age and cold, that's what kills off so many bearings in winter.
Some bastard greased up a distributor for me years ago and I ended up knocking it out with a 2lb hammer.

[catsinthewelder]

Sorry, I think we're slightly at cross purposes here Phil. The locks themselves are fine*, its the mechanism that opens the door when you pull up the door handle which keeps freezing. It seems to have improved for the moment due to the milder weather and half can of Plusgas that's been sprayed in its general direction but I'm still putting the window down to wiggle the outer handle a few times as well as the inner before it frees up on cold mornings.


*The fuel cap lock did freeze up but that's not really a big worry. Also on the coldest morning that we had the central locking was flicking straight back to locked but a quick tug at the right moment sorted that out

[Philhod]

Not really the message about greases still applies to the mechanism and locks

Again +gas is fine but the antifreeze ingredient evaporates after an hour.