PTFE is decent, but honestly, I've had better luck with silicone-based lubricants for outdoor locks. PTFE tends to wash out quicker in heavy rain or snow, at least in my experience. I live in an old Victorian, and trust me, the locks here have seen it all—humidity, freezing temps, you name it. Silicone spray seems to hold up longer and doesn't gum up as much. Might be worth a shot if you're dealing with unpredictable weather...
Interesting take on silicone sprays, but have you tried graphite powder for outdoor locks? I've found silicone can sometimes attract dust and dirt over time, especially in windy areas. Graphite powder doesn't gum up and seems to handle temperature swings pretty well. Granted, it's a bit messy at first, but once it's settled, it lasts ages. Curious if you've given that a shot yet...
Graphite powder is definitely a solid suggestion, especially for outdoor locks. I've used it myself on a few rental properties, and you're right—it handles temperature fluctuations impressively well. I remember one particularly stubborn gate lock that silicone spray just couldn't keep smooth for more than a month or two. Switched to graphite powder, and it's been trouble-free for nearly two years now.
That said, I do agree about the initial messiness. The first time I used graphite powder, I underestimated how easily it spreads. Ended up with black smudges all over my hands and even a bit on the door frame—lesson learned! Now I always keep a rag handy and apply it carefully, tapping gently rather than squeezing too hard.
One thing I've wondered about, though, is how graphite powder performs in extremely humid or coastal climates. I've heard mixed things from colleagues who manage properties near the ocean. Some swear by graphite, while others say the humidity causes it to clump slightly over time. Have you (or anyone else here) had experience using graphite powder in coastal areas or places with consistently high humidity? I'd be interested to hear how it holds up long-term under those conditions...
I've been using graphite powder for a while now too and can confirm—it’s great stuff for general use. But yeah, the messiness caught me off guard initially. I had black smudges all over my fingers and even got some on my clothes the first time... rookie mistake, haha.
About your humidity question—I live pretty close to the coast, and I've noticed graphite powder can definitely clump up a bit after a while. Not horribly, but enough to make locks feel gritty instead of smooth. I usually end up reapplying every 6 months or so, especially after rainy seasons. Still beats silicone spray, though—I've had that stuff gum up locks even worse in humid weather.
Honestly, I think graphite powder is still worth it overall, even if you have to reapply occasionally. Just gotta be mindful of the climate factor and maybe check on it a bit more regularly if you're near the ocean or somewhere super humid.
I've had similar issues with graphite powder in humid areas. Switched to a dry PTFE (Teflon) spray a while back and haven't looked back since. It dries clean, doesn't attract dirt, and hasn't gummed up on me yet—even during rainy seasons. Might be worth a shot if you're tired of the graphite mess...