Graphite powder is definitely solid for locks, especially older ones—I live in a historic home with original hardware, and WD-40 just gums things up after a while. Graphite doesn't attract dirt or dust, but yeah, it can get messy pretty quick if you're not careful. Best trick I've found is to use a small squeeze bottle with a thin nozzle to apply it sparingly right into the keyhole—less mess that way.
As for smart locks randomly resetting...haven't had that exact issue myself, but I did run into something similar once. My keypad lock started acting weird after a heavy rainstorm—buttons were unresponsive at first, then suddenly it seemed like the whole thing rebooted itself. Turns out water had gotten behind the keypad seal and shorted something temporarily. Once I dried it out and sealed around the edges with some clear silicone caulk, it never happened again.
If your keypad is outdoors or exposed to weather at all, you might want to check if moisture is getting inside. Even humidity alone can sometimes cause issues over time, especially if the lock isn't fully weatherproofed. Also worth checking battery contacts—I've seen corrosion build up there from humidity too.
Speaking of lockouts though...ever had your smart lock battery die unexpectedly? Happened to me once when I was away on vacation. Had to call my neighbor to climb through a window (thankfully unlocked) and replace batteries from inside. Lesson learned: now I always swap batteries out proactively every few months rather than waiting for the low-battery warning.
Good call on sealing around the keypad with silicone—I had a similar issue with moisture causing weird glitches. After sealing mine, it's been rock solid. And yeah, graphite's messy but totally worth it for older locks...beats WD-40 hands down.
Yeah, silicone sealing was a smart move—moisture can really mess things up. I remember when my keypad went haywire after a heavy rainstorm; sealing it totally fixed things. Graphite's good, though personally, I've found dry PTFE spray cleaner and less messy...but whatever works!
Silicone sealing definitely helps, but I'm a bit cautious about relying solely on sprays or lubricants for keypad issues. From an interior design perspective, I've noticed that sometimes the real culprit is the placement of the keypad itself—exposure to direct rain or even heavy condensation can really shorten its lifespan. Maybe reconsidering its location or adding a subtle overhead cover could offer a more lasting solution...just something to think about before reaching for another spray can.
Haha, been there—standing in the rain, desperately punching numbers into a keypad that's decided to take the day off. Good call on the placement issue. My house is ancient, and I've learned the hard way that tech and weather aren't always best friends. A simple little awning saved me from a lot of soggy frustration. Sometimes the simplest solutions beat out all the fancy sprays in the world...
