Silicone spray's pretty decent actually, I've used it a few times myself. Here's what I usually do: first, give the lock a quick clean with some compressed air or a small brush to get rid of any dust or dirt. Then, spray a tiny bit of silicone lubricant directly into the keyhole—just a quick burst, nothing crazy. After that, insert the key and turn it back and forth a few times to spread it around evenly. Wipe off any excess with a rag, and you're good to go.
I agree graphite powder can be messy—I learned that the hard way too. Dropped a container once and spent the next half-hour scrubbing my hands and countertop. Silicone spray seems cleaner overall, but I've noticed it doesn't last quite as long as graphite. Still, it's easy enough to reapply every few months.
Curious though, how's the keyless entry working out? I've been thinking about switching myself, but I'm still on the fence about reliability and battery life...
Keyless entry's been pretty solid for me so far—here's my quick take:
- Battery life's surprisingly good; haven't had to swap mine yet after nearly a year.
- Reliability-wise, no major hiccups, though once in a blue moon it takes a second try (might just be my clumsy fingers though...).
- Bonus points for convenience: no more fumbling around for keys when my hands are full of groceries or tools.
- Eco-friendly tip: rechargeable batteries work great and cut down on waste.
Overall, I'd say it's worth giving it a shot.
"Bonus points for convenience: no more fumbling around for keys when my hands are full of groceries or tools."
Couldn't agree more on this point. I installed keyless entry on my old Victorian last summer, and it's been a lifesaver—especially when I'm juggling paint cans, brushes, and ladders (the joys of historic home ownership...). Only hiccup I've noticed is that colder weather seems to make mine a bit sluggish occasionally. Still beats digging through pockets with frozen fingers though.
Interesting point about the cold weather—I haven't noticed sluggishness yet, but I'll keep an eye out this winter. One thing I did run into was battery life. Mine drained faster than expected, probably because the kids keep punching in random codes for fun (sigh...). Still, swapping batteries every few months beats getting locked out in the rain or snow. Overall, it's been a solid upgrade, especially when hauling lumber or drywall sheets around.
Battery life's definitely something to watch out for, especially with curious kids around... Have you thought about trying rechargeable batteries or maybe a keypad cover to discourage random button-mashing? Wonder if that'd help at all.
