1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Best ignition lock cylinder lubricant?

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by primuspaul, Jun 16, 2017.

  1. primuspaul

    primuspaul Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2014
    244
    11
    0
    Location:
    NYC Area
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    I
    I have some graphite poweder, WD-40 branded Silicone Lubricant, and PTFE lubricant. Which is recommended for applying to the inside of a ignition cylinder lock?
     
    #1 primuspaul, Jun 16, 2017
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,747
    48,962
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    graphite. you don't want anything wet that dirt can stick to.
     
    #2 bisco, Jun 16, 2017
    WilDavis likes this.
  3. KennyGS

    KennyGS Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2014
    1,243
    1,044
    1
    Location:
    Keystone State
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I would use the graphite.
     
    #3 KennyGS, Jun 16, 2017
  4. primuspaul

    primuspaul Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2014
    244
    11
    0
    Location:
    NYC Area
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    I
    I have graphite powder, but I read it gunks up when exposed to moisture, which can happen in a stationary car due to temperature change.
     
    #4 primuspaul, Jun 16, 2017
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,747
    48,962
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    then i would use the silicon.
     
    #5 bisco, Jun 16, 2017
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,747
    48,962
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    btw, i've never had to lube an ignition lock in 45 years. door locks, yes.
     
    #6 bisco, Jun 16, 2017
  7. primuspaul

    primuspaul Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2014
    244
    11
    0
    Location:
    NYC Area
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    I
    I don't "have" to lube it. By the time you have to lube it, it's probably too late. I recently had a lock break that I had to drill out. This is an old one from a salvaged ignition cylinder. I thought I'd put some lube in the keyhole to maybe make it last a bit longer.

    After doing some reading, I was leaning towards Silicone, too, but wanted to hear some input from the people on here before applying it.

    It's this stuff, by the way: WD-40 Specialist Water-Resistant Silicone Lubricant, 11 oz - Walmart.com
     
    #7 primuspaul, Jun 16, 2017
  8. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    7,501
    3,767
    0
    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    If you have the cylinder lock out, I'd be leaning toward the PTFE as it is supposed to leave a dry lubricating film once the solvent carrier evaporates off. I use it all the time around the house – door locks, door hinges, window stays and window catches, to name a few. I use it also on the window tracks on the car and have used it on door locks when I feel them getting sticky.
     
    #8 dolj, Jun 16, 2017
  9. Brian in Tucson

    Brian in Tucson Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2016
    981
    453
    0
    Location:
    Tucson AZ
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Gun oil. Or Tri Flow. WD40 is fairly inferior, but it will lube a little if that's what you need. Do you have a bunch of keys on your keyring? Too much weight on the lock mechanism will cause wear and sloppiness.

    Love Tri Flow, btw. Smells like gun oil.
     
    #9 Brian in Tucson, Jun 16, 2017
  10. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2014
    2,489
    2,153
    49
    Location:
    Top RH Corner of RH Coast on L side of The Pond
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Here you are - I think I got this from HomeBoy Despot, or some such place! Good luck! Graphite1.jpg Graphite1.jpg
     
    #10 WilDavis, Jun 16, 2017
  11. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2012
    3,296
    1,006
    0
    Location:
    Arcadia, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    My vote is with graphite. I think the reason was it is electrically conductive as opposed to the other two choices. I think old security systems measured the resistance in the keys, but I think that was GM, and I'm just getting old....

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #11 jzchen, Jun 17, 2017
  12. KennyGS

    KennyGS Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2014
    1,243
    1,044
    1
    Location:
    Keystone State
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    You too?! :eek:
     
    #12 KennyGS, Jun 17, 2017
    jzchen likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)