Daniel J. Stern wrote:
> On Wed, 15 Dec 2004, Greg wrote:
>
>
>>A friend is having a lot of trouble with her door locks freezing on her
>>'96 VW Golf. What is the best lubricant to use on these locks? I've
>>heard good and bad things about silicone and graphite. Somebody also
>>recommended lithium grease. I've been warned from using regular oils
>>and grease because they can attract dirt over time.
>
>
> You're getting all kinds of dumb advice (engine antifreeze, insulating
> foam, Dura-Lube oil, etc.). The correct fix is indeed spray silicone
> lube. The CRC brand ("Heavy Duty Silicone") in the red and white can is a
> good kind. The can comes with a straw; push it into the spray head, then
> put the other end into the door lock (past the little flap door) and give
> a few quick spray bursts, moving the straw to spray up, down, and straight
> ahead. Then insert and remove the key several times to distribute the
> silicone on the lock's tumblers, and operate the lock in both directions a
> few times. Repeat for all body locks (doors, hatchback). Then, open the
> doors and hatch and spray the silicone evenly onto the rubber door
> weatherstrips so that the doors don't freeze shut. The silicone's carrier
> will evaporate, leaving the weatherstrips non-greasy but frostproof.

Good to know. No need to buy that expensive stuff in tiny cans made
especially for locks then...

>
> Then, as long as you've got the can out, you can shoot the gas door
> hinges, the latches and hinges for the hood, doors and hatch, the rear
> wiper pivot, the sliding/turning dashboard and steering column controls,
> the antenna...

Umm, yeah right...

>
> DS
Ulf