Any locksmith out there?

[yorkshirelad1]

Not long back home to find that my back door key will turn / unlock-lock from the inside but not from outside.

The key goes all the way in front both sides and works perfectly from the inside. It wont turn from the outside. I've tried different keys.

It's a 4 or 5 year old UPVC door with 5 point locking. I've just applied lube to all the bits I can see with no success.

Google suggests the lock may be goosed?

Silly question, but what lube did you use. I had this (lock not turning), and the advice from the lockmaker was (definitely not WD40) but a graphite based lube. Popped down to the local helpful hardware store, got a graphite lube, and 5 mins later all sorted. Just saying....

[Tedx]

It's just normal 3 in 1 type spray lube. In fact its still out there in the shed soaking away (because the new lock works fine....it'll probably still be there next year) .

I did read about using a graphite based lube when originally looking for a solutionm but thought I'd give the 3 in 1 a go first.

Cheers though.

[jaizan]

I have found WD40 to be good for freeing off seized locks (WD40 is apparently the same as 3 in 1 spray lube).

Once it's freed off, nothing stops you using graphite, which may well be better as a long term lube.

[BullDog]

Not long back home to find that my back door key will turn / unlock-lock from the inside but not from outside.

The key goes all the way in front both sides and works perfectly from the inside. It wont turn from the outside. I've tried different keys.

It's a 4 or 5 year old UPVC door with 5 point locking. I've just applied lube to all the bits I can see with no success.

Google suggests the lock may be goosed?

If I were you I'd look at what they call the gearbox part of the locking mechanism. Take a look on YouTube and it's surprising how easy they are to remove. The lock barrel is held in place into the gearbox by a screw. Once it's removed you'll see if there's any sign of wear or malfunction on it. The gearbox is held in place with two screws. Again, once it's removed it's a piece of cake to see if it's functioning or not. When I did this I found a small piece of metal had snapped off from somewhere and was lodged in the gearbox. Once removed, everything worked again just fine. Cost repair zero. Just time invested watching a YouTube video and half an hour working on the door locking mechanism.

PS - I bought some specialist key/lock lubricant. It's actually very fine graphite powder and works a treat. You apply it to the key and actuate the lock to lubricate it.

[Urbandreamer]

I have found WD40 to be good for freeing off seized locks (WD40 is apparently the same as 3 in 1 spray lube).

Once it's freed off, nothing stops you using graphite, which may well be better as a long term lube.

3 in 1 is NOT the same as WD40, although they are now the same company.

The thing about WD40 is that it was not designed as a lubricant at all but a solvent. The name comes from Water Displacement and I understand that it was the 40'th formula tried.
https://wd40company.com/our-company/our-history/

However as you say, using a better lube once the lock is freed makes sense. The advantage of graphite is that it doesn't dry to a gummy mess.

[jfgw]

Not long back home to find that my back door key will turn / unlock-lock from the inside but not from outside.

If I were you I'd look at what they call the gearbox part of the locking mechanism.

If the key works one side but not the other, it is very unlikely to be the gearbox. It will be the cylinder.

Most gearboxes are easy to replace but I had to drill out some rivets on one that I replaced once. The new one came with screws.


Julian F. G. W.

[jaizan]

3 in 1 is NOT the same as WD40, although they are now the same company.

I recently e-mailed WD-40 about a related issue and was told that the 3 in 1 spray is exactly the same as WD-40 spray.

Obviously the old fashioned bottles of oil are different, but when it comes to the penetrant sprays, I'm told they are the same.

[Mike4]

3 in 1 is NOT the same as WD40, although they are now the same company.

I recently e-mailed WD-40 about a related issue and was told that the 3 in 1 spray is exactly the same as WD-40 spray.

Obviously the old fashioned bottles of oil are different, but when it comes to the penetrant sprays, I'm told they are the same.

Which is a terrible shame as WD40 is a poor penetrant in my experience compared to the old, thin, watery and filthy black "Three-in-One Penetrating Oil".

This was fantastic stuff about the same viscosity as petrol and would soak down rusty threads and loosen them a treat. Long discontinued, sadly.

[staffordian]

Which is a terrible shame as WD40 is a poor penetrant in my experience compared to the old, thin, watery and filthy black "Three-in-One Penetrating Oil".

This was fantastic stuff about the same viscosity as petrol and would soak down rusty threads and loosen them a treat. Long discontinued, sadly.

Several YouTubers swear by Bulldog BDX as a penetrating nut loosener. No personal experience or connection, but maybe worth a try

[Tedx]

Just to let you know the old lock is still out there in the shed, sitting in oil and the new lock is working fine.

In 2 years time, the old lock will probably be exactly where it is just now.

[XFool]

Just to let you know the old lock is still out there in the shed, sitting in oil and the new lock is working fine.

In 2 years time, the old lock will probably be exactly where it is just now.

So then you will decide to throw it away. A couple of days later you will find it is exactly what you need...

[Tedx]

It's always the way eh?

[UncleEbenezer]

I recently e-mailed WD-40 about a related issue and was told that the 3 in 1 spray is exactly the same as WD-40 spray.

Obviously the old fashioned bottles of oil are different, but when it comes to the penetrant sprays, I'm told they are the same.

Which is a terrible shame as WD40 is a poor penetrant in my experience compared to the old, thin, watery and filthy black "Three-in-One Penetrating Oil".

This was fantastic stuff about the same viscosity as petrol and would soak down rusty threads and loosen them a treat. Long discontinued, sadly.

I recollect that penetrating stuff loosening recalcitrant thingummmies. Very satisfying!

I thought it was just the enfeeblement of advancing years that had relegated that superpower to a bygone, erm, century. But perhaps there's another explanation? These days if a drop of cooking oil won't penetrate then the job is for the handyman. Or the bodge.