Sticky Best

[zazoola]

Hey guys, I have a BEST IC in a doorknob. Someone sprayed a bunched of compressed air with wax in there and its really stiff. Should I just spray some WD-40 in there? Or will that ruin it?

[GWiens2001]

Sounds like it is already in trouble. Tolerances are tighter between the pins and the pin channels in an SFIC than in many of the more common pin tumbler locks. I'll let someone else advise you as to what your next step would be.

Gordon

[Riyame]

If it is the wax making it sticky you will have to use something to get the wax out or the problem will just return. If possible remove the core and replace it and fix the old one.

I am guessing some type of solvent but I do not know what would work.

[mdc5150]

I use a dry silicone spray that cleans and lubes. WD-40 is great for collecting dust and dirt. If is was simply a locksport lock I would say carb cleaner then WD-40.

*I missed the wax part. If you have a core key pull the core and pin up a new one. You dont want that in a customers door it will come back to haunt you. If you dont have a core key pin up a new core and drill that one out.

[zazoola]

I already sprayed carb cleaner in there twice, and it seems to have loosened up a little. It does not have a key, I ripped it off a door I found in my Grandparents junkyard. I'll try WD40.

[keymaster1053]

I agree, remove it any way you can. there is no spray that I know of that will disolve wax. are we talking candle wax? and how the hell did it get in there? the only other thing I can suggest, is a small blow torch, heat the core up so the wax turns liquid, and try to blow it out with more compressed air.
Jim.

[l0ckcr4ck3r]

Its not an ideal solution, but any Non-polar solvent should dissolve the candle wax.... naphtha, Kerosene, zippo lighter fluid etc....

[GWiens2001]

To slightly modify a quote from Groucho Marx...

Use a few tablespoons of gas, and the wax will disappear. Then use a match and the roof will disappear.



My 2 cents is to replace the lock unless you can fully disassemble the lock and be sure of cleaning everything out. An unreliable lock is like an unreliable firearm... just don't risk it.

Gordon

[zazoola]

How do I remove the cylinder?
It's in a BEST doorknob, and I had to use a Sledgehammer just to get it off. Do you guys have any ideas for removing the cylinder? I just bought a new can of Wd40 and am not sure if I should use it.

[Riyame]

WD 40 will not harm the lock but it will not get the wax out either. Try soaking it in some gas or brakleen over night.

The only way to get it out is to either pick it out or cut the door knob away from around it. There is a lug that keeps the core in the housing. http://www.crypto.com/photos/misc/sfic/

[zazoola]

Okay, cool. I'll try gasoline. After that, WD-40. Then I'll attempt to pick it to control with my meager 2 week skills.

[keymaster1053]

Okay, cool. I'll try gasoline. After that, WD-40. Then I'll attempt to pick it to control with my meager 2 week skills.

At risk of stating the blatently obvious, now that you've introduced all these chemicals, DON'T now try the blow torch!

[zazoola]

Haha, for sure. Might get a little more than I had asked for.