This Wreckage

Please advise. I have repeated problems with my D-lock sticking. I've used standard light bike oil which then leaks all over my hands when I handle the lock. I have some 3-in-one PTFE spray: would that be better?

Andrew R Stewart 

What aspect of your lock is sticking? The key cylinder? The "U" hoop's ends that enter the "I" end?

BTW never heard "D" used to describe these locks, we always called them "U" locks. Andy

tcs

Oil isn't great for locks. It picks up dust and dirt and can make things worse by getting the mechanism pretty gunky. Best practice is a dry lube: graphite (old school) or a specialist dry lock lube (available at any hardware or home improvement store). Do your bike lock, then squirt some in every lock in your life.




'D lock' is common terminology in the UK.

This Wreckage

It's the key cylinder. My fear is of being unable to unlock it while far from civilisation... The key often will turn only part way to unlock it. I've now washed it in lots of hot, soapy water to at least partially degrease it and remove dirt, then rinsed it in hot water. I squirted the PTFE spray inside, left it a few hours and eventually it loosened. That also left a lot of oil leaking out (I probably used far too much), and I don't know how long it will last. Others have cautioned against graphite which could eventually scour and damage the mechanism; another recommends highly Abus P88 specialist lock lubricant which is quite difficult to obtain and not cheap.

easyupbug 

Unless you have unusual damage all you need is pressurized air to blow out dust from the keyway and around the shackle and it's hole. PTFE is the best lube, it does not take much if you move things around, keyway and shackle. Graphite can work in small quantities that don't build up.

blacknbluebikes 

Careful not to over invest - you might spend more on the problem than you would on a new replacement. I've always used straight pencil-lead graphite on my cylindrical locksets in the various bike lock units in the household. Always freed up a sticky one, never a subsequent problem.

Iride01 

Don't underestimate the piece of mind that a new lock that functions correctly will do for you.

If this is a inexpensive lock, just keeping some of those cans of lube on hand will quickly eclipse it's price.

FBinNY 

Just blot the excess oil with a bit torn off a paper towel. Hole the towel against the face and stand the lock in a way that gravity and the towel can work together to pull out any excess. After that, simply inserting, removing and drying the key a few times should do the trick

alcjphil

“Never argue with an idiot. He will only bring you down to his level and beat you with experience.”, George Carlin
One of my all time heroes. and, a reminder that if some inexpensive product cannot be made to work using very simple solutions that it is time to cut bait

Andrew R Stewart 

Key cylinders can live a hard life. I've dealt with a number over the years that became inconsistent in the key opening the lock. The usual situation is a lot of exposure to the elements, the lock living on a transportation bike that gets left out for hours daily and in whatever conditions are in your area's weather. Here in the rust belt road salt hastens the cylinder's demise. I might suggest that a lock is far behind one's chain in how well it is cleaned and lubed Andy

tcs

This is especially true if you ignore the maintenance and forgo lubricating your home, car and gym locks, so the $5 lock lube would only be used on your bike lock.

veganbikes

D-Locks is common across the pond in Jolly old England.

If your lock is having issues it might just be time for a new one. I would rather have a functional high security lock then an old lock I cannot rely upon. If the lock manufacturer recommended something I would consider that. I hear sometimes graphite solutions being recommended but if my lock is at the point I am worried about it opening and it is not something new under warranty I am looking at a new lock. If it is say an ABUS plus key or X-plus key lock than I can go to my local ABUS dealer or H2 dealer and potentially order locks using that same key number assuming I have the key-code card (not all shops are hip to it yet which is unfortunate but if you reach out to ABUS in the U.S. they are super helpful and will get you set up with a shop that can do it).

If not ABUS I would just go out and get an ABUS lock ideally with those keys so I can get other locks keyed the same for family or friends or even my personal usage. I was out on a ride and let a friend borrow a bike and it was so nice having only one key to lock up both bikes and the locks used on them. ABUS makes really excellent locks in Germany and some decent enough non-key-a-like-able locks in Asia (in their own factories) and they have great support behind their stuff which rarely has issues.