Lubricating BMW luggage Locks

[Clearandlock]

Hi All,

my top box (the bmw ones) lock is increasingly difficult to get the key into.

What is the best thing to lubricate the internals of the lock with? WD40?

thanks for any advice.

clayton

 

[gwigglesworth]

There is special grease called lock crease... or carbon grease... that is best in locks... it does not make a paste or something I dunno I bought some ages ago and it works great on locks..

If it is the mechanism i.e. the hinges etc I use copper slip.

 

[Simon_h]

3 in 1 is good also. Do not use WD40.

 

[mirboo72]

My top case lock was not locking right, after I noticed I just had to turn the lock meaning someone with a screwdriver or key just had to turn the barrel and opened it..
lucky i noticed this
Squirt of WD40 fixed it.

 

[Simon_h]

wd 40 in the short term works, but leaves an oil that attracts dirt and will grunge the lock up worse than it was originally especially when it's hot.

 

[mirboo72]

Point taken..

 

[rce]

wd 40 in the short term works, but leaves an oil that attracts dirt and will grunge the lock up worse than it was originally especially when it's hot.

It also flushes out any remaining original lubricant and replaces it with a very thin oil that works great for a short while then quickly makes matters worse.

 

[Grey Beard]

There is special grease called lock crease... or carbon grease... that is best in locks... it does not make a paste or something I dunno I bought some ages ago and it works great on locks..

If it is the mechanism i.e. the hinges etc I use copper slip.

+1 for the carbon based oil. It is graphite based and I have used powder from a pencil lead if no special graphite oil lubricant is available. Graphite is a good lubricant for these sorts of applications, because the chemical bonding between the layers of the graphite molecule is easily broken down.

Grey Beard

 

[RSavage]

It also flushes out any remaining original lubricant and replaces it with a very thin oil that works great for a short while then quickly makes matters worse.

It's odd. The locks on my ARDcases became so stiff on their first serious outing that I nearly broke a key. I took the cases to a locksmith when I got home. He said on no account use graphite lock lube - such as supplied by Maplin - as it builds up into a gritty paste but that I should use WD-40 which is an excellent lubricant for locks! This entirely contradicts everything I have ever heard or experinced about WD-40. Anyway, I've solved the problem by fitting small brass padlocks to the ARDcase clamps and don't use the locks.

Richard

 

[skyenet]

Been using WD40 in all sorts of locks since mid seventies and never had any problems at all. Never a seized or sticky lock ever.