I've had good experiences with powdered Teflon on older locks, actually. I totally get your hesitation though—nothing worse than unintentionally damaging an antique piece. But from what I've seen, powdered Teflon doesn't promote corrosion like some liquid lubricants can. It's dry, which means it won't attract dust or grime, and that's a huge plus when dealing with vintage hardware.
That said, you're spot-on about testing it first. Maybe pick a lock that's tucked away somewhere less visible or one you don't rely on daily. I did exactly that with an old skeleton key lock on a pantry door (hardly high stakes, haha), and after seeing how smoothly it worked without any mess, felt comfortable using it elsewhere. Definitely beats graphite smudges everywhere or risking sticky buildup from oils. I'd say it's worth giving it a cautious trial run...just to see how your particular hardware reacts.
Your cautious approach here makes a lot of sense, especially with antiques. I've restored several older homes, and I can confirm powdered Teflon usually does the trick without causing headaches later. But you're right—testing it first is key. I once jumped straight in with graphite on an old Victorian door lock (rookie mistake...), and ended up spending hours cleaning smudges off painted woodwork.
Since then, I've switched to powdered Teflon too, and it's been reliable so far. Your idea about starting small—like your pantry door—is smart; low-risk trials are always the best way to ease into something new. Vintage hardware can be finicky, each piece seems to have its own quirks, so taking your time and observing carefully is definitely the way to go.
Sounds like you've got a solid plan already—trust your instincts and proceed gradually. Good luck!
"Since then, I've switched to powdered Teflon too, and it's been reliable so far."
Powdered Teflon's decent, but honestly, I've had better luck with silicone spray. Quick spritz, wipe off excess immediately—no mess, no fuss. Might be worth a shot if Teflon ever lets you down...
Silicone spray's handy, but doesn't it attract dust over time? I've stuck with graphite powder myself—bit messy at first, but stays clean longer. Curious if you've noticed silicone gumming up after a while...
"Curious if you've noticed silicone gumming up after a while..."
Yeah, I've seen silicone spray get kinda tacky over time, especially in dusty or humid conditions. Graphite powder's solid, but have you tried powdered PTFE (Teflon)? It's clean, doesn't attract dust much, and works smoothly. I switched to it after silicone started giving me trouble on window tracks—no more sticky residue buildup. Might be worth checking out if graphite's messiness bugs you...
