Had the exact same issue with silicone sprays—just didn't hold up, especially during winter. Last year, after getting locked out in freezing rain (not fun, trust me), I switched to graphite powder instead. It's messy at first, but once you get the hang of applying it sparingly, it works wonders. Haven't had a single jam or freeze-up since, even in sub-zero temps. Dielectric grease sounds interesting though...might give it a try on my garage keypad. Honestly, anything beats standing outside your own door at midnight, fumbling around with frozen buttons and cursing technology under your breath.
Graphite powder is a lifesaver, seriously. I had a similar nightmare last winter—got home late after a long drive, freezing rain pelting down, and my smart lock decided it was smarter than me. Stood there like an idiot, phone flashlight in one hand, desperately mashing frozen buttons with the other. Neighbor probably thought I was trying to break into my own house.
Switched to graphite after that fiasco, and yeah, it's kinda messy the first couple times. My hands looked like I'd been fingerprinted at the police station, lol. But once you figure out how little you actually need, it’s golden. Haven’t been locked out since.
Dielectric grease sounds interesting, though. I’ve used it on car battery terminals but never thought about door keypads. If you try it, let us know how it goes—I could always use another trick up my sleeve for next winter.
Had a similar experience last year—came home after a weekend trip, exhausted, arms full of bags, and the keypad decided to glitch out. Ended up climbing through a window I luckily forgot to lock... graphite powder saved me after that embarrassment, messy fingers and all.
I've always wondered about graphite powder—heard good things, but never actually tried it myself. Usually, I just stick with WD-40 or silicone spray, but now I'm curious if graphite might be a better long-term solution. Does it tend to last longer without needing reapplication?
Speaking of smart locks glitching out, I had a similar issue once. Came home late after work, battery died on the keypad, and of course, I hadn't hidden a spare key anywhere (budget-conscious me thought it was unnecessary). Ended up sitting on my porch for an hour waiting for my partner to come home...lesson learned. Now I keep a spare battery handy and check regularly. But maybe graphite powder could help prevent future keypad issues? Might have to give it a shot, messy fingers and all...
"Usually, I just stick with WD-40 or silicone spray, but now I'm curious if graphite might be a better long-term solution."
I've tried graphite powder myself, and honestly, it's pretty solid for longevity. WD-40 tends to attract dust over time, which can gum things up eventually. Graphite doesn't have that issue, but yeah... messy fingers are definitely part of the deal. Speaking of smart lock mishaps, anyone ever had their keypad randomly reset itself? Mine did once—still no idea why. Maybe humidity or something...?
