Couldn't get into the ***** shed!
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dudi
Senior Member
- Location
- Ipswich, Suffolk
once it is thawed, you could wrap a small towel round it and tie a bag onto it to stop it getting wet and freezing up.
Or you could just take out a bit of warm water with you and thaw it with that.
Or you could just take out a bit of warm water with you and thaw it with that.
beanzontoast
Guru
- Location
- South of The Peaks
I've tried -
Oil
WD40
Vaseline
None of these worked when it was really cold, though shaking the lock to remove any water and then wrapping the lock in a bit of insulating material has worked before.
The old kettle of hot water has been used on a few occasions too.
Oil
WD40
Vaseline
None of these worked when it was really cold, though shaking the lock to remove any water and then wrapping the lock in a bit of insulating material has worked before.
The old kettle of hot water has been used on a few occasions too.
John Ponting
Guru
- Location
- Herts
LocLube used to be the stuff to get you in ..
or stick the key in a boiling kettle for a couple of minutes ..
or stick the key in a ciggie lighter flame.
Ultimate tip (but I've not tried it) is to pee on the lock.
Dry the lock indoors for a couple of hours then puff loads of graphite dust inside. Could try the lock under the grill on lowest setting.
or stick the key in a boiling kettle for a couple of minutes ..
or stick the key in a ciggie lighter flame.
Ultimate tip (but I've not tried it) is to pee on the lock.
Dry the lock indoors for a couple of hours then puff loads of graphite dust inside. Could try the lock under the grill on lowest setting.
beanzontoast
Guru
- Location
- South of The Peaks
Something else to watch out for - my latest padlocks (2-3 years old now) came with little snap on covers that clipped over the bottom where the key goes in, presumably to keep the lock clean. Seemed a good idea at the time...
First winter, the rain collected in the lock, couldn't drain away, then froze solid. I soon snipped the covers off and chucked them.
First winter, the rain collected in the lock, couldn't drain away, then froze solid. I soon snipped the covers off and chucked them.
snakehips
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Twixt London and Leafy Surrey
dudi said:
We all carry warm water around with us all the time just waiting to be released. It is particularly useful in circumstances like this.
Snake
My Library
I had that a few weeks ago. Had to go back in and fill a bottle with hot water and pour it over the lock, making sure it went inside.
It worked and luckily it wasn't too cold during the day or it would have frozen solid again.
Perhaps buy a second lock, so if you use hot water to get one open you can put the dry one on.
It worked and luckily it wasn't too cold during the day or it would have frozen solid again.
Perhaps buy a second lock, so if you use hot water to get one open you can put the dry one on.
gbb
Squire
- Location
- Peterborough
Not practical for most people, but at work i've resorted to carrying a blowtorch round with me when opening up in the morning. Thats how cold its been 
It has not been a problem that I have had for a long time. However, I have previously used ski binding oil. It used to come in a little spray bottle. I reasoned that the oil was made for the very cold conditions on a ski slope and the little spray tube was ideal to put into locks. It worked for me.
RedBike
New Member
- Location
- Beside the road
I had the same trouble with my bike lock. I couldn't get it undone. Ended up throwing hot water over it.
Amanda P
Legendary Member
- Location
- York. Well, York-ish...
We had a bit of trouble with ours. It wasn't the lock, though - it was the build-up of snow in front of the door.
hackbike 666
Guest
No problem here.I haven't got a shed for my two bikes so they are under my watchful eye.
Rhythm Thief
Legendary Member
- Location
- Ross on Wye
Ms RT got in her car to go home from work the other night. She opened the doors alright, but then they were so cold the latches froze open. In the end she had to borrow a length of rope and tie the front doors together from the inside before driving home. The next morning I poured hot water over the door mechanisms and it's been fine ever since. Odd, eh?
