Mailbox

My canada post mail box is exposed to the elements and every winter the pad lock freezes up.

Keep a little bottle of lock de-icer with you, the kind they sell for cars, and you can put a plastic bag over the lock too since the postie doesn’t need to use your lock. Heating the key or the lock with a lighter works though it doesn’t help the lock stay dry for the next time. Silicone spray is better than WD40 for locks, and graphite powder is great stuff to use once in a while. You can buy fairly weatherproof locks, too. I had one from Lee Valley which was fine for about a year on my mailbox. Until I lost the key and had to pry it open, but that’s another story.

6 Responses

1. misterpoopypants Says:
   March 9th, 2010 at 7:42 am

   Keep the inside drenched with WD40.
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2. robert C Says:
   March 9th, 2010 at 7:51 am

   keep it inside an old baby’s sock
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3. T C Says:
   March 9th, 2010 at 8:41 am

   Combine both of the above answers.
   Moisture is what causes the lock to freeze up…… WD40 repels moisture, and the sock will help prevent moisture from getting in.
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4. locksmith Says:
   March 9th, 2010 at 8:51 am

   I prefer a silicone [ not water base ] type spray. This will displace moisture and provide lubrication.
   References :

5. Karen L Says:
   March 9th, 2010 at 9:15 am

   Keep a little bottle of lock de-icer with you, the kind they sell for cars, and you can put a plastic bag over the lock too since the postie doesn’t need to use your lock. Heating the key or the lock with a lighter works though it doesn’t help the lock stay dry for the next time. Silicone spray is better than WD40 for locks, and graphite powder is great stuff to use once in a while. You can buy fairly weatherproof locks, too. I had one from Lee Valley which was fine for about a year on my mailbox. Until I lost the key and had to pry it open, but that’s another story.
   References :

6. dogwarrior2001 Says:
   March 9th, 2010 at 9:45 am

   I work at a place where our locks are outside in all weather, a lot of these ideas are great, the one putting the lock in a zip lock bag is good because a sock will only attract and hold moisture. Getting a lock specific for foul weather is the key, we use a graphite mixture that is bought in stores to lube the locks, however, possibly use a combination lock in a Zip lock bag (keep extras in the mailbox so if you tear the one in service and you don’t leave the lock exposed).
   References :

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