Best Solvent or Lubricant to spray into Ignition Key Hole? Topic is solved

[plumsmooth]

Great Idea and, if there is some Gummy residue from a previous usage of a residue leaving substance -- then this would help clear it maybe -- or dissolve it and redistribute it...
Unfortunately it won't dissolve key fragments or other potential un-disolvable blockages.
But, I happen to have some! I bought some to remove a super glued Acoustic Guitar Pick Up from the inside of a guitar. Difficult job!
Thanks for the idea!

[jonesg]

Pardon me for creating another post but I think it is a good question.
I might have some moisture stuck in and freezing my tumblers in my ignition.
There are so many choices here can someone please suggest and maybe make the case for the best choice?

Seems if it is moisture than a product that would displace any moisture would be ideal.

Key will not turn at all. Never had a problem. Was just working fine. Coldest night of the year...

If its condensation freezing the lock, warm your key up with a cig lighter.

[erikv11]

Just slightly warm up the metal part of the cylinder with the heat gun, if freezing is the problem that will free it up. Be super careful not to melt any plastic around it. Heat, move gun away, heat again, move away, etc. Wouldn't spray anything in there if you can't free it up by thawing.

Actually that's a great suggest from jonesg - just heat up the key.

But it's probably not moisture more likely it's broken, this is a super common problem. Be prepared to go back to the other thread.

[plumsmooth]

Be prepared to go back to the other thread.

I humbly accept this advice.
Maybe stuff does break easier in the cold.
IT is hard to accept when something has never had a problem: You have the coldest night of the year -- then, something all of a sudden doesn't work!

[RickHaleParker]

Just slightly warm up the metal part of the cylinder with the heat gun, if freezing is the problem that will free it up.

I use to take a lighter and heat the key then insert the key in the lock. Wait for the heat to transfer to the lock. Might need to do it a couple of times but it only requires a tool many carry in their pocket. If one does have one in their pocket, a lighter is very easy to obtain.

Keep in mind you don't need to cook the lock, just get it up above freezing. My rule was to hold the key at one end and heat the other. If it starts burning your fingers you are overheating the key. That worked when keys did not have plastic on that end.

[plumsmooth]

Hey I got it -- For Now! I ran my heat Gun a little impatiently for about <5 minutes and blew it in there a few times.
Still wouldn't work.

I probably should have been more patient but my battery I am worried is starting to rain as I could open the windows to let cord in so had to do it with door open. Luckily good battery.

I got a little vial and filled it with acetone and dipped my key in about 7 times and repeatedly inserted it and I got it to start.

Now what do I DO! I am going to heat the car up because I accidentally opened the Sunroof which I never use and we have a foot of snow coming soon!

Maybe I shouldn't do anything. I am glad I didn't use wd-40 because -- it might be a little moisture and also some residue or particles in there already?

Maybe I should squirt some acetone in there after I am done warming the car and charging battery?

Maybe I should get some Graphite Powder?

But can someone tell me if it was broken it wouldn't have worked at all right?

I think I am going to do nothing afterwards. And hope a thorough warming of the car will displace whatever is in there a little more?

I'm sure it would corrode the mini spray bottle I have but I could fill one up with Acetone for next time...

[erikv11]

Great! I agree, I would do nothing. If it jams again then it has a broken piece in there. When they break inside it is common for it to get jammed then unjammed, etc. If it was frozen bits then that water was displaced by the acetone, it shouldn't jam again if it was water.

[plumsmooth]

So it is frozen again or stuck or whatever. Could someone confirm that Acetone is not going to melt some plastic components in the lock cylinder? I am asking because if you look at the little plastic vial I used to dip my key in the acetone yesterday it basically melted overnight!

I'd hate to think there is a component of non acetone resistant plastic in there!

Obviously not all plastic is like this and I 'd like to think they wouldn't use a type of plastic in there that a solvent would melt!

Part of the reason I am asking this is because I thought I heard someone make a reference to plastic Tumblers!

[erikv11]

Acetone is not going to fix it.

I suggest reading this up and down until you understand what is likely broken: viewtopic.php?t=67531

[plumsmooth]

Who said it is broken? No, seriously, it is sticking, and if a Solvent freed it up then what does this actually mean. BTW, I will read your post -- thanks! Anyway today if I can free it again I have settled on a "Dry Lube" PTFE based Lubricant! I am going to drive to get one if I can get the Car to start. I'll it does the trick...