How to lubricate car door locks
Content
How to grease door locks? This question torments many motorists with the advent of frost. The set of measures to prepare the car for winter also includes lubrication of door locks, trunk, hood, as well as lubrication of seals. For this, special means are used, the purpose of which is to ensure the reliable operation of locks in conditions of even significant frosts. In this article, we will review the most popular lubricants among motorists, as well as give useful tips on this matter.
Lubricant properties
First of all, let's figure out what requirements the means for lubricating door locks must meet. These include:
- preservation of its operational properties at low temperatures;
- resistance to corrosion processes;
- low coefficient of friction;
- resistance to washing off not only with water, but also with various compounds based on salts and alkalis;
- long period of validity.
The agent must be hydrophobic, that is, one that does not dissolve in water. Otherwise, it will easily wash out of the cavity. it should also prevent moisture from entering the volume where it is laid itself.
Lubricants for car door locks
Now consider the most popular means for processing locks of their larvae and mechanisms. On the Internet you can find a lot of conflicting reviews about a particular tool. We have tried to be objective and have collected information for you about lubricants that really effective even in severe frost conditions. it is also worth mentioning that most of the tools below can be successfully used to process not only locks and their larvae, but also door hinges.
also, when processing the lock, pour the funds listed below not only into the larva, but also process the mechanisms with them. This can be done with or without dismantling the lock. It all depends on the design of a particular car. For example, it is better to remove the locks of domestic VAZs completely and lubricate the rubbing parts. And in foreign cars, where dismantling is complicated by design, only accessible parts of the lock can be lubricated.
Molykote Liquid Grease G 4500
Molykote Liquid Grease G 4500
This is one of the most popular means for lubricating the larvae of car door locks. Its operating temperature range is -40°С…+150°С. The lubricant is absolutely harmless to humans, and does not emit harmful substances into the atmosphere. In addition, it is compatible with metals, plastics, rubber and various chemical compounds found in the car body. The manufacturer claims a 3-month warranty for use even in difficult operating conditions. The most popular package size is 400 ml (although there are packages of 5 kg or more). The approximate cost of such a tube in Moscow at the end of 2021 is 2050 rubles.
Grease characteristics:
- base oil - polyalphaolefin;
- thickener — thickener based on aluminum complex;
- operating temperature range — -40°С…+150°С;
- critical load (Timken method) - more than 177 N;
- starting moment at a temperature of -40 ° C - 0,9 N m.
The specified tube will last you for several seasons, depending on the intensity of use.
Step Up SP5539
Previously, this grease was offered under the article SP 5545 (312 g), and now it is produced under the number SP 5539. The temperature range of this grease is also wider - -50 ° С ... + 220 ° С. It is sold in aerosol cans weighing 284 g. The product is suitable not only for lubricating the car door lock, but also for other parts of it. After all, since the lubricant is based on casting, therefore, it can be used to process plastic and rubber surfaces to protect them from moisture and destruction.
The composition of the lubricant includes the original composition of WetOut, which creates a water-repellent film on the treated surface. It will help extend the life of not only the iron parts of the lock, but also rubber seals and plastic trim parts. The price of a tube weighing 312 grams is 520 rubles in Moscow as of the end of 2021.
HI-GEAR HG5501
The lubricant is also created on a silicone basis. When applied to a work surface, it forms a thin but durable polymeric material that reliably protects it from moisture. In fact, the lubricant is universal, therefore, in addition to cars, it can be used in other equipment - with household door locks, rubber and plastic surfaces, drive cables, and much more. it is also possible to use the product in everyday life with products from the listed materials.
The capacity of the bottle is 283 ml. The kit includes a plastic tube that can be connected to the sprayer and apply lubricant to hard-to-reach places. The price of a cylinder is about 520 rubles as of the end of 2021.
Wurth HHS-2000
Grease Wurth HHS-2000
Wurth HHS-2000 08931061 grease is extremely popular among motorists in our country. According to the instructions, it is intended for lubricating parts under high pressure and loads. Like the previous tool for lubricating car door locks, it is universal. Its features include:
- High penetrating power and short thickening time. It can be used to lubricate car door locks. With the help of a tube, it is laid inside the lock, where it almost immediately becomes thick, forming a protective film on the surface of the parts and simultaneously displacing moisture. The composition of the product provides a high lubricating effect.
- High adhesion. That is, the ability to adhere to the treated surface. During processing, the liquid fraction evaporates, leaving only lubricating properties in operation.
- High pressure resistant. Wurth HHS-2000 grease has a long service life even under high loads and pressures.
- The agent prevents sticking of metal surfaces, and also reduces the resistance to screwing.
Wurth HHS-2000 grease is sold in small cans of 150 ml and 500 ml. Since the tool is universal, we recommend that you buy it for use not only in the car, but also at home. The price of a 150 ml bottle is approximately 350 rubles as of the end of 2021.
LIQUI MOLY Pro-Line adhesive lubricating spray
LIQUI MOLY Pro-Line adhesive lubricating spray
LIQUI MOLY Pro-Line Haftschmier Spray 7388 is an all purpose lubricant. Including it can lubricate the locks of car doors. It is an adhesive spray lubricant packaged in 400 ml cans. The product can be used for the processing of hinges, levers, joints, bolts, door hinges, conservation and operation. Lubrication features include:
- wide temperature range of use;
- excellent adhesion properties;
- providing anti-corrosion protection;
- resistance to both cold and hot water (it is practically not washed off);
- resistance to high pressure;
- long service life;
- the possibility of spraying in any position of the cylinder.
The only drawback of this tool is its high cost - 600 ... 700 rubles for a 400 ml bottle. However, if you have the opportunity, we recommend that you buy this tool, since it can be used in various parts of the car, as well as at home.
Despite the entire track record of products suitable specifically for lubricating car door locks, car owners are often in no hurry to overpay. usually they are looking for something to lubricate door locks from freezing or from heavy opening that are at hand, so we will provide a list of folk remedies used for lubrication. Compared to 2017, the prices for the above lubricants increased by an average of 38%.
Additional tools than you can lubricate the lock
The lubricants described above are modern developments and results of the chemical industry. However, before their appearance, drivers used various improvised means for lubricating locks and door hinges for decades. For example, kerosene, acetic acid and even iodine. We will also present for you a couple of, so to speak, “folk” remedies, with which you can lubricate car door locks for the winter. After all, it is in the cold season that locks create additional difficulties in order to get inside or close the door. And the question of what kind of lubricant is better to lubricate becomes more relevant.
WD-40
Processing of locks VAZ 2108-2109
Yes, the good old WD-40 grease can also be used to inject into the lock cylinder, but in no case on all its rubbing mechanisms. The fact is that the main component of this product is white spirit (50% of the volume), in which the freezing point is -60 ° C. Therefore, it washes away the remaining grease. The liquid is sold in the form of an aerosol in a can with a straw, with which you can easily spray the product into hard-to-reach places.
This liquid key can be used to dehydrate the surface to which it is applied, remove corrosion from it and prevent its recurrence, and form a protective film on it. In general, the tool is used very widely. And not only for processing car parts, but also in everyday life.
When processing a correct lock (both machine and household) with a “blade”, it is advisable to apply silicone grease to the same surfaces. You can use one of the lubricants listed above, or use any other.
Lock defrost
Various defrosters
In this case, we are talking about special products, on the packaging of which it says “Lock Defroster” or something similar. Usually they include oil or white spirit, less often silicone. Such funds are inexpensive, but they work well, at least with relatively slight frosts. The disadvantage of these funds is the short duration of action, since they are similar in composition to WD-40.
When buying such lubricants, carefully read the instructions. Often, manufacturers attribute truly miraculous properties to their products. However, you need to understand that if the tool is inexpensive (and most often it is), then you should not expect any miracles from it. Just regularly process the larva and the lock mechanism with "Lock Defrosters" in the winter and there will be no difficulties with opening it. But only in the spring, after using it, it is recommended to process the lock mechanism with a different composition. namely, one that could protect against corrosion and friction.
butter
If for some reason you don’t have any lubricant at hand (from the listed or others), then you can use ordinary engine oil to lubricate the car door lock and from freezing and for stable operation. Its viscosity, brand and consistency are not important in this case. (well, except that it should not be frankly black from soot and debris). Using a syringe or other similar device, you must pour a few drops of oil into the larva and / or process the lock mechanism. This will create a water-repellent film on the surface of its internal parts and prevent freezing.
However, the oil has the disadvantage mentioned above - its action is short-lived, and will also attract dust. Therefore, it can only be used if you do not have more professional tools at your disposal. And as soon as possible, buy any of the above lubricants.
Instead of a conclusion
Finally, we remind you that you need to process the hinges and locks of the doors of your car not only in advance (before the onset of cold weather), but also regularly. This will ensure their reliable operation even in the most difficult conditions. Today, for reasonable money, you can buy professional tools for processing locks with a long service life. The main thing is to buy lubricants in trusted stores, in order not to run into a fake.
