Stuck Medeco lock - what to do?

[leno...@yahoo.com]

Luckily, the key isn't stuck in it.

I can lock or unlock it from the inside, where there's another key. On the outside, though, I was having trouble locking it, so I sprayed it with graphite. (Well, it didn't warn me on the bottle NOT to do that!) Now I can't turn the key in either direction. At least there's another, different lock underneath, so I use that for the time being.

Granted, it's been a little humid lately, but I never had this problem in the last 17 years or so.

What to do now? Thank you.

[Derek Broestler]

OK, walking you through this...

My guess on this one (without examining it) since the inside still works perfectly, it's not an alignment issue with your door due to humidity, house settling, etc... and that you had a little bit of dirt, dust, pollen, etc that was interfering with the outside lock cylinder... The graphite made the problem 10 times worse...

First off, get rid of the graphite... I mean take the can, and throw it in the garbage... Don't use graphite on locks, period... 99% of people, including the very few locksmiths still heck bent on using the evil stuff, use entirely too much by a factor of about 10000% (the appropriate amount is, rub a pencil lead over a key blank, insert into lock, repeat twice, I'm NOT kidding... any more than that and you're headed for trouble) and especially don't use it on a Medeco or other high security locks... It's just too easy to foul everything up, especially given the Medeco's pivoting pin design...

Secondly, you're gonna have to clean that stuff out of there... Get a good industrial grade cleaner/lubricant/protectant... I recommend Zep 45 NC or TriFlow from the hardware store... do NOT use cheap stuff like WD-40 or liquid wrench, as when mixed with graphite forms something the consistency of Elmer's white glue...

Third remove the lock from the door, again be warned, This is most likely going to be MESSY if you've been using graphite.. and I'll warn you ahead of time graphite stains just about EVERYTHING and tends to go EVERYWHERE (another reason not to use it)... put down a drop cloth first... If you get any graphite on light colored carpet, tile, or wood, do NOT touch it, use a vacuum hose attachment to suction it up WITHOUT rubbing it in (unless you like graphite stains that will NEVER come out)

Third, get plastic container large enough for the lock, a LOAD of paper towels and put on some clothes you don't care too much about... I'd wear gloves, as you should with any GOOD cleaner, but also because it't easier to remember not to touch anything if you have the gloves on.... Take it ALL outside...

Now, irrigate the cylinders with the cleaner, start with the keyway facing up (as if it were on your door, provided you're in the US) to flush out a good bit of what you've put in... once it stops running out dark, repeat with the keyway facing down (upside down if it were on your door, again, if you're in the US... if you're not, reverse that process as Americans mount their locks "upside down" according to Europe). From time to time, insert the key into the keyway, give it a jiggle, remove it and clean it with cleaner and wipe it off....

Once the cleaner starts running out clean, without much graphite in it wipe everything down and let the locks drain out as much as they will, wipe everything down again... Your key's will most likely work like new at this point... If so, once everything is drained out / cleaned up as much as it can be, reinstall them on your door.

Keep in mind, that cleaner, along with traces of graphite will STILL stick to your key every time you use it for several days... So don't plan on wearing anything light colored for a week or so... and be REAL careful to wipe off your key before putting it into your pocket.

Lastly, If that does NOT correct the issues, contact a Medeco authorized locksmith in your area to determine if there is some mechanical failure, worn keys, pins, springs, sidebar, etc... This is a rare possibility unless there is a MASSIVE amount of use on JUST one side (again, as your inside cylinder isn't having any issues)

Good luck,
Derek

[leno...@yahoo.com]

Thanks. I should probably mention, though, that graphite has worked like magic for the OTHER, non-Medeco locks in the building - both the old and relatively recent locks. (The building was built in 1898.)

[Derek Broestler]

On Monday, May 1, 2017 at 5:50:52 PM UTC-4, leno...@yahoo.com wrote:

As for it working great in the past, I get that... I actually specialize in antique locks... and years ago in most areas graphite was a great CHEAP solution for lock lubrication... The problem is as machining tolerances have tightened, thanks to using CNC even in mid to high grade residential and commercial locks (standard security, and ESPECIALLY high security locks) instead of standard hand machining or casting there's more of a chance that the graphite will do more harm than good.

Medeco is a prime example of having tight tolerances, a complicated mechanism that needs to move freely, and a lot of places for dust or graphite to get gunked up in fouling up the lock... So graphite in Medeco is just asking for trouble...

The other thing is, these days there's better stuff out there (like the TriFlow, ZEP-45NC, etc) even for older locks, that DOESN'T get all over the place, stain everything, and jam newer locks up if too much is used that is not much more expensive... Graphite is mostly obsolete in most cases involving residential or commercial structural locks (it's even being phased out in ignitions and other electrically sensitive keyed switches where a liquid spray is not recommended). Trust me on this one, your locks will work better, be better protected against corrosion, last longer, and your locksmith will be happy to not have to deal with it when you do need to call them.

[leno...@yahoo.com]

Oh boy. Guess what?

It turned out that when I take the key out from the INNER lock, there's no problem at all with locking it from the OUTSIDE. So the graphite likely didn't do any damage!

(Granted, I used to be able to leave the inner key in the lock all the time AND lock it from the outside. But at least it works.)

I found this out last November and was going to post the news, but it's not as easy as it used to be to find things in Google Groups.


Lenona.

[Derek Broestler]

I'm glad the situation was resolved... I still STRONGLY URGE you to flush the lock clean of any graphite and use a different lubricant on modern, especially high security locks... It's only a matter of time until things gum up... Bear in mind, I never said that graphite will "damage" your lock... Medecos are TOUGH.... they're made to resist actual damage (unintentional OR intentional) but it WILL gum it up... Again consider what would happen if someone put elmer's white glue in your lock... It's not "damaged" it could be flushed out with hot water.... it just won't function until it's cleaned out.

I didn't know that you kept the inside key in all the time, otherwise my recommendation would have been slightly different, and would have suggested trying the "inside key" on the outside... before recommending you flush out the lock....

So it seems your "outside key" is just worn out.. Still though, you should flush that thing out. I've been a locksmith for over 15 years, and deal with Medecos monthly, and it's the FIRST thing I would do...

Whatever you decide to do in terms of graphite, all you need to do to return things to normal (most likly) is order another key, using your Medeco card either direct from Medeco or from a Medeco authorized locksmith and you'll have two working keys again.

Either way, I'm glad you got the issue resolved.

D.

[leno...@yahoo.com]

Thanks for all the advice.

As it happens, I tried it again and I was able to lock-unlock from the outside, even when the inner key was inserted. But I decided I didn't want to take the same chance again, so I took out the inner key anyway.

How DO you flush a lock with hot water, since even an eyedropper wouldn't fit? Also, how do you make sure it's dried properly?

Lenona.

[Skipfromla]

Use a 50CC syringe, AKA lavage syringe, and small hypodermic needle to
flush it with hot water. Use the same set up to flush it with
isoprophy alchol a couple of times, ten minutes apart. Wait about 20
minutes and dry it with a hair dryer.

Skip

[Derek Broestler]

On Monday, May 1, 2017 at 5:50:52 PM UTC-4, leno...@yahoo.com wrote:

OK, I posted the "hot water" comment as an example of how your lock isn't "damaged" it's just gummed up... while could work, the easiest and best solution is still take your lock off the door and flush it out with a cleaner solvent...

I would recommend Tri Flow or Zep 45 N/C... Both available on Amazon if you can't find them in your local hardware store. Make sure you're not wearing nice clothes for this, graphite stains... Just keep spraying and draining through the keyhole until it starts running clear... Let it drain for a bit, wipe it down, and put it back on.

If you don't want to go through ordering online, you COULD use WD40, which is available everywhere, but it's gonna take a LOT longer, so buy the biggest can you can find (thankfully it's dirt cheap)

[Robert Smith]

I would not use WD-40 on locks though. It is petroleum based and can cause damage. Your better off with something designed for locks such as Houdini Lock Lube.

[Robert Smith]

Also, if this is a Medeco Deadbolt, DO NOT USE Houdini Lock Lube neither. It is not designed for the Medeco Deadbolts. It will push back the gunk to the back and lockup the deadbolt completely. If it is a Medeco Deadbolt, use something very light such as TriFlow as mentioned above.

[Robert Smith]

Another item to mention is that the product Medeco recommends for lock maintenance is called "FLUID FILM":

https://www.medeco.com/en/training/maintenance/