How Do You Free Stubborn Lock Cylinders?
Sticky, jammed up lock cylinders can often be salvaged. Rarely does the lock need replacing. The first step is choosing what product to use. When dealing with older locks, stay away from liquid graphite and oils. These products both work well, but are only meant to lubricate. A spray such as wd-40 works great at blasting out small dirt trapped inside the lock. When applying a spray, use the straw that comes with the can. Place the tip of the straw inside the keyhole and saturate the cylinder; holding the trigger for a few seconds until the spray comes rushing back out. Allow this to work in for a few minutes. Place key in lock and work back and forth. Do not force the lock if it hasn’t loosened up. It’s very easy to snap the key off inside the lock. Sometimes, you need to repeat this process three or four times. Hopefully this has helped you, but if you have tried these steps with no progress, then it’s probably time to change the cylinder.
