Lubricant for ignition switch?

[Seth1968]

2003 Civic with 250,000 KM, and a slightly binding ignition.

Some research shows either silicone spray or graphite.

Comments?

[Tik-Tok]

I've never used graphite spray on an ignition lock, but I can tell you that stuff stains like hell, so be careful where/how much you spray.

[Seth1968]

Good to know when I'm putting the keys in my pocket. I've got enough mysterious stains on my groin area fabric

[jacky4566]

Your issue is most likely a worn out key. Get a new key cut and I bet your issues will go away.

[Seth1968]

Originally posted by jacky4566
Your issue is most likely a worn out key. Get a new key cut and I bet your issues will go away.

Good point.

I should have mentioned that all tumblers have seized up, and my unused spare didn't help. I shit you not...both doors, the trunk, and the ignition tumblers have seized up. The latter was replaced 2 years ago. Then there's the airbag recall.

Sometimes I wish to go back to the days when I had my 78 Caprice or even my 88 Sprint. They were so easy and fun to repair. For an extreme example, I pulled out the Sprint engine by hand with feet on the cowels.

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by Seth1968
Good to know when I'm putting the keys in my pocket. I've got enough mysterious stains on my groin area fabric

Once it's dry it's fine, just beware the over-spray, or dips.

[ExtraSlow]

If the tumblers are already seized, I doubt graphite can free them. May need to use one of the spray types that has a carrier that will wick its way in there. If it was me, I'd probably use aerosol silicone.

[zieg]

There is such a thing as lock lube, might be a good place too start. But on a beater that I didn't GAF about, I'd probably just hit it with WD40.

[GTR_Auto]

penetrating oil / wd40 and work them free

[Disoblige]

If you're worried, spray your key mildly with WD40 or silicone and insert in and out repeatedly. See if it helps.

[Seth1968]

I ended up going to CT and getting graphite power that supposedly is great for lubricating car ignitions. Gave it a little spray, and the ignition went from slightly sticky to the key not going in at all.

I told a mechanic there what happened and said to try compressed air and if that didn't work than I'd buy silicone spray. The compressed air didn't help, but the silicone worked like a charm.

[DonJuan]

I generally use penetrating fluid on anything that can get rusty, silicone spray on interior stuff and grab WD-40 when I cant find either.

[Tarrantula]

WD-40 if you want to de-grease, Silicon spray if you want to grease.

I have to remind my dad all the time that WD-40 isnt a lubricant...

[Alpine Autowerks]

Originally posted by Tarrantula
I have to remind my dad all the time that WD-40 isnt a lubricant...

It is never meant to be a lubricant

W = Water
D = Displacer 40th formula

it has abrasives in it - it's harmful to moving parts.