What To Spray Inside Ignition.

[goeduck]

I bought a spray can with a tube on it from an old time locksmith. I do not recall offhand the brand but it sure works well. I also use it on a combination padlock I have out in the weather.

I went out in my shop to see what it was the old locksmith sold me. Triflow. See attached link. It is the second one, recommended for lubing locks.

Best Lock Lubricants for Locksmiths Review, WD4, TriFlow and Lock Saver | Mr. Locksmith Video - YouTube

Also commonly used on chains, it does not attract grime.

Triflow - WE GET YOU MOVIN!!!

 

[Gary Fowler]

Somehow we got off of ignition switches and on to what is useful for a lock. Much different requirement. Powdered graphite is great for a lock but not for electrical connections. I quite buying the graphite for locks and just now use the silicone spray lube for everything, locks, electrical components etc.

 

[atsah]

I think the silicone makes the most sense, when I use it on other things I notice it's not sticky.. This particular ignition switch is actually pretty well contained, when you take the key out of the hole it kind of closes so I'm not to worried about a little WD-40 but from now on I will use silicone..

 

[WranglerX]

I went out in my shop to see what it was the old locksmith sold me. Triflow. See attached link. It is the second one, recommended for lubing locks.

Best Lock Lubricants for Locksmiths Review, WD4, TriFlow and Lock Saver | Mr. Locksmith Video - YouTube

Also commonly used on chains, it does not attract grime.

Triflow - WE GET YOU MOVIN!!!

Love Triflow for lots of applications...

Dale

 

[D2Cat]

Might use WD40 with the little tube to spray in the key hole. Then use an air nozzle right behind it. I had a keyed lock on a tractor that I bought a replacement for, but I found this solution before I installed it.

 

[atsah]

I had a keyed lock on a tractor that I bought a replacement for, but I found this solution before I installed it.

That's exactly what I did with this one..

 

[Fuddy1952]

My locksmith friend told me a story many years ago an experiment GM tried on locks.
Half sprayed with WD-40, other half nothing. The WD-40 locks had a higher failure rate because it washed the lube out.
WD-40 is great stuff, but not a lubricate according to him. I like the Houdini lube, but there are other good ones.

 

[PILOON]

I have saved a fair number of key switches with WD40.
I also annually use WD40 on all my vehicle locks, just a wee squirt and never have frozen locks.

20 years or so ago I owned an aviation facility and the WD factory rep stopped by for some service issue on his aircraft.
After some good chatting I started servicing aircraft radios based on his input.

WD is non corrosive and cleans (maybe flushes) dirt and crap, lubricates and generally simply renews the guts of switches.
Early radios had stacks of rotary contact switches that were constantly intermittent and WD was one great solution.
While 'contact cleaners' do clean they don't leave any lubricant behind while WD will and as well is a non conductive lubricant.

When it comes to ignition switches they get dry and the contact lube hardens. WD softens that lube back to specs and the switch is good to go again.

I once had a client with a '50's Cessna 310 that had loads intermittent problems.
He insisted that we service as he was leaving on a long flight.

I wanted to refuse but he insisted so under a signed waiver I 'shot gunned' his troubles by squirting WD in all the contacts, plugs and connectors of all his electronic systems, including the autopilot.*
Weeks later he reported that he flew cross country and back with all his systems functioning up to specs. (and that under IFR conditions)

Being a twin engine AC that 'shot gunning' took about 5 hours as cables ran everywhere and lots of seats, upholstery etc were in the way.

*we opened and closed every contact while damp with WD so as to apply slight friction, even did a squirt in toggle switches.