Frozen/Iced Locks?
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,586
Likes: 62
Frozen/Iced Locks?
I've had this issue in the past... usually I use a propane torch but I've been experimenting recently - no luck yet.
Has anyone found a lubricant or other product that will prevent locks from freezing/icing up in the first place?
I've tried Fluid Film and the de-icer liquids (some kind of alcohol maybe?) that come in a tiny squirt containers. Nothing has prevented my locks on my cap from freezing yet. The de-icer stuff works once froze up, but takes forever to work the locks loose.
Ideas?
Has anyone found a lubricant or other product that will prevent locks from freezing/icing up in the first place?
I've tried Fluid Film and the de-icer liquids (some kind of alcohol maybe?) that come in a tiny squirt containers. Nothing has prevented my locks on my cap from freezing yet. The de-icer stuff works once froze up, but takes forever to work the locks loose.
Ideas?
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 2
From: Hawkeye Country
Years and years ago when I worked as a detailer for a auto dealer I learned the trick of wd40 and tire-shine for keeping locks and doors from freezing. We would take wd40 (with the straw attached) and shoot it inside the lock cylinder and inside the hinge area, and spray a little tire shine on a rag and wipe down the weather stripping inside the door jam area. It seemed to work well, never had any issues unlocking or opening 100+ cars on the lot.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,259
Likes: 17
From: Gambrills
How about a large pice of masking tape or the blue painters tape over the hole. I had a small can of some kind of key de-icer that had a short strong tube built in/on it, I think I still have somewhere. I kept it in my glove box at first.......I didn't think that one all the way through. Then I moved it now I have lost track of it.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 13,011
Likes: 742
From: Here in No. Calif
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,837
Likes: 96
From: Manteca,Ca
Brake Free you can get it at Walmart too ,I clean my guns and locks the good thing is it don't attract dust , WD-40 ( water Disapation-40 ) works great but still attracts dust.
not sure about PB-40 on locks but It sure keeps my trowels from rusting
not sure about PB-40 on locks but It sure keeps my trowels from rusting
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 1
From: North of Boston MA
We have a fleet of 2012 GMC 3500's at work and the locks freeze on all of them it seems. I usually just leave mine unlocked if I know if will be below 25° or so. But if I forget or have equipment in the truck and need to lock it, I carry a lighter and just heat the key for a few seconds. Works every time. It would be so much easier if they gave us the remote entry fobs but for some reason, either they didn't get them with the trucks or don't trust us with them.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 898
Likes: 3
From: Chillicothe, IA
As a former locksmith, I believe I can help here. What I have found over the years is that some vehicles have locks that freeze, and some dont. Usually though, it is a lock that has some exposure to water. Such as, bad seals around windows, or poorly designed drainage for water. SO with all that said, if your locks freeze, not alot you can do to stop it unless you can keep the moisture out.
Now lets talk about some of the things people have suggested. WD40 is an oil that displaces water. It can and will work great on locks if you use it regularly to wash out dirt that it attracts. Silicone or teflon spray are good lubricants as they usually don't leave any oils behind, and will usually displace water as well. The lock deicers are usually alcohol based with a lubricant in it also, they will eventually melt the ice and lubricate your locks without oil residue. Actually any of these will work good if you use prior to a bad storm or cold temperatures as they will displace the water and keep it out for a little while. My favorite and fasted way to thaw locks was mentioned above and that is to heat your key a little with a lighter. Just be careful if you have a chip in your key, can have worse problems if you damage that.
Biggest thing is to lubricate your locks more frequently in bad weather and you should be fine.
Now lets talk about some of the things people have suggested. WD40 is an oil that displaces water. It can and will work great on locks if you use it regularly to wash out dirt that it attracts. Silicone or teflon spray are good lubricants as they usually don't leave any oils behind, and will usually displace water as well. The lock deicers are usually alcohol based with a lubricant in it also, they will eventually melt the ice and lubricate your locks without oil residue. Actually any of these will work good if you use prior to a bad storm or cold temperatures as they will displace the water and keep it out for a little while. My favorite and fasted way to thaw locks was mentioned above and that is to heat your key a little with a lighter. Just be careful if you have a chip in your key, can have worse problems if you damage that.
Biggest thing is to lubricate your locks more frequently in bad weather and you should be fine.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,335
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
what can be done to keep doors from freezing shut? usually happens after the snow/ice melts,some runs into the seals,then refreezes at night. Happens all the time on my daily driver focus. I don't really trust pulling on the door handle real hard,as they don't seem to be very sturdy.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 898
Likes: 3
From: Chillicothe, IA
I forgot that. Cleaning and dressing weather stripping as stated above will help with that. Now, I said help, not fix. Using something like armor all type stuff. Also, drying them off when you get out.
Last edited by 4x4slik; Feb 3, 2014 at 11:06 PM. Reason: remembered something
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 237
From: NE Ohio
what can be done to keep doors from freezing shut? usually happens after the snow/ice melts,some runs into the seals,then refreezes at night. Happens all the time on my daily driver focus. I don't really trust pulling on the door handle real hard,as they don't seem to be very sturdy.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,881
Likes: 1
From: North of Tulsa, Oklahoma
I've had this issue in the past... usually I use a propane torch but I've been experimenting recently - no luck yet.
Has anyone found a lubricant or other product that will prevent locks from freezing/icing up in the first place?
I've tried Fluid Film and the de-icer liquids (some kind of alcohol maybe?) that come in a tiny squirt containers. Nothing has prevented my locks on my cap from freezing yet. The de-icer stuff works once froze up, but takes forever to work the locks loose.
Ideas?
Has anyone found a lubricant or other product that will prevent locks from freezing/icing up in the first place?
I've tried Fluid Film and the de-icer liquids (some kind of alcohol maybe?) that come in a tiny squirt containers. Nothing has prevented my locks on my cap from freezing yet. The de-icer stuff works once froze up, but takes forever to work the locks loose.
Ideas?
I think you are referring to the handle that sticks out from your bed cap, right? I cant see anyone putting a torch to a flush mounted door lock, as that cant be good for paint.
And you're not talking about padlocks on the bed cap, right?
If it's the locking handle on the bed cap, do they make a rubber bootie you can put over it? Like the rubber booties we can put over our bumper tow *****. If not, you could make some $$$ developing and selling that idea.
I'll gladly accept 2% of the royalties if you do. 