I have some graphite poweder, WD-40 branded Silicone Lubricant, and PTFE lubricant. Which is recommended for applying to the inside of a ignition cylinder lock?
I have graphite powder, but I read it gunks up when exposed to moisture, which can happen in a stationary car due to temperature change.
I don't "have" to lube it. By the time you have to lube it, it's probably too late. I recently had a lock break that I had to drill out. This is an old one from a salvaged ignition cylinder. I thought I'd put some lube in the keyhole to maybe make it last a bit longer. After doing some reading, I was leaning towards Silicone, too, but wanted to hear some input from the people on here before applying it. It's this stuff, by the way: WD-40 Specialist Water-Resistant Silicone Lubricant, 11 oz - Walmart.com
If you have the cylinder lock out, I'd be leaning toward the PTFE as it is supposed to leave a dry lubricating film once the solvent carrier evaporates off. I use it all the time around the house – door locks, door hinges, window stays and window catches, to name a few. I use it also on the window tracks on the car and have used it on door locks when I feel them getting sticky.
Gun oil. Or Tri Flow. WD40 is fairly inferior, but it will lube a little if that's what you need. Do you have a bunch of keys on your keyring? Too much weight on the lock mechanism will cause wear and sloppiness. Love Tri Flow, btw. Smells like gun oil.
My vote is with graphite. I think the reason was it is electrically conductive as opposed to the other two choices. I think old security systems measured the resistance in the keys, but I think that was GM, and I'm just getting old.... Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
