Ok, with all the freezing, snow, and storming we have had the past couple of months, I have had to deal with locks and doors frozen closed, several times.
I have found one bit of good news that I will pass on, and I would like to hear about solutions the rest of you have for these problems.
I use RainX on my windsheild. Done so for almost as long as the product has been available on the retail market. I can remember when it was only car dealers that knew about the stuff, and when it first became available to us peons who just drive the cars…
Anyway, in the middle of all the frustration with iced up locks, and iced closed doors… I discovered that when I go to take the ice off the windsheild…. It just breaks up and slides right off…
=0)
To apply the RainX in the yellow bottle, I don’t actually follow instructions. I do what I think 99% of people do… I clean the windsheild. Get the wipers running. And then stand there and squirt the RainX on the windsheild in short squirts, aimed in different places so that I get the whole windhield covered.
Hey, it works. And it’s simple. So sue me for not following instructions. LOL I only have to do this maybe twice a year. And THAT usually only because I have had to clean the glass with window cleaner too many times.
To maintain in between times, I put the pink stuff, in the washer water container.
~~~
Now, how about the rest of the truck ?
I got one of those little squeeze bottles of “lock de-icer”.
It gave no joy, mainly because the entire mechanism in the door seemed to be frozen.
After much careful banging and such on the passenger side, I finally got things loosened up just enough, to get that door open. Unlocked all the doors with the electric lock, and then got the drivers door open. (I wish I had one of those keyfob thingys so I could unlock the doors remotely. LOL But I have no idea whether I can even get something aftermarket to do that.)
Getting the doors themselves open was a chore as well, because of all the ice.
So… What do you recommend for eliminating, or at least alleviating the problem enough that it doesn’t take half an hour or more to get into the truck in the morning ?
The obvious answer that is also obviously absolutely worthless to me is a garage.
Throwing a tarp over the car is not a good solution either. You end up with scratches all over. And you still have to deal with the tarp before you can get into the truck.
An electric heater in the engine compartment is not needed. The engine always starts. And heating the engine is not going to help with the doors.
Heat tape for the doors is not a good option because of what you would have to do to even get that rigged up, and the damage it might do in it’s own way as well. Plus, just as with the tarp… then you have to deal with that, instead of the ice. 6 of one, half a dozen of the other.
I am looking for good solutions that will allow me to just go get in the truck and take off, as per normal conditions…
I plan on mixing some of the pink RainX up in a standard spray bottle, and cleaning all the side and back windows with it, as well as the door weatherstripping.
We’ll see how that works, when the time comes…
But what can I lubricate the locks and the mechanisms inside the doors with, so that they do not freeze up again. I need lubrication and anti-freeze together.
WD40 just freezes up…
Maybe silicone spray ?? Doesn’t that freeze up as well ?
~~~
One last thing…
Armorall will degrade the rubber and vinyl in/on your car. I had a nova once with a great vinyl roof. It had been a great vinyl roof for almost 20 years. Still was in perfect shape. My ex insisted on using armorall on it, and before the end of summer the vinyl was shrunken, cracked and peeling off.
I have watched the dashboards of several different cars do the same after armorall was used on them.
I am curious if anyone knows whether RainX would do the same to the weatherstripping and such ?
I have already considerd a water mix with the pink stuff, for washing things down with. But I wondered if I shouldn’t just wipe the full strength stuff in the yellow bottle, on the weatherstripping ??? I just don’t want to trade one problem for another…
Get over it……. The angry going eat you up. ~Brownbagg ’06
Replies
Luka,
I use the Rainx solution that is fomulated for the window washing in my truck all yr round.
As for door locks, I have always used the powdered graphite. Can't say it is 100% but rarely do I have to thaw locks out. As for the rest , well I moved here to escape that drudge, but it seems to come around every once in awhile.
I had graphite in the locks.They froze solid...=0|
Get over it....... The angry going eat you up. ~Brownbagg '06
I guess leaving the doors open isn't an option? ;-)
Seriously, powdered graphite is excellent.
Have you considered replacing the seals on your doors? There might be aftermarket ones of some material that is less freeze-prone...
Edited 1/17/2007 5:02 pm by torn
Well, if I leave the doors open, someone else will own a truck that has ice all over the inside. There are freaks here who would steal the truck in a heartbeat, ice or no.Graphite does not work.Replacing the weatherstripping just for this would be kind of expensive. Not only that, what kind of replacement is available that would do any differently than what is on there ?No, I am hoping that wiping RainX on them will cure that particular problem. But I am worried about seal degradation by the RainX, as I showed earlier about the armorall. I am hoping someone has some real world experience/knowledge. You research Armorall, and everythig they ever write or say on the subject swears it PROTECTS vinyl. When real world experience shows it to deteriorate vinyl. So I don't know that I would trust anything the RainX people would say on the subject, either.
Get over it....... The angry going eat you up. ~Brownbagg '06
I apply industrial grade (mold release type) silicone spray to the weatherstripping. It eventually wears off where the 'stripping touches the door frame..so renew from time to time.
Whenever we go from a really mild wet spell to a really cold spell, I dry all the gaskets with an old towel, then re-spray. Works for me.
Door locks: graphite powder, but I can't find any here. So I use the spray type hardware store lockdeicer, with so-so results.
I've used "lockEase" in the past and it works fairly well. Powder graphite squirted into a lock never hurt when I lived in the NE. Nothing of, course, will help in freezing rain or sleet. Staying under cover is the best bet. Remote start is always good if you remember to set the heat and fan. It will thaw things as the interior warms. Just prying the door open is going to get you torn weatherstriping and lots of wind noise with more moisture getting in.
A heat gun and long cord are a real pain and take forever. I watched a neighbor do that once.
Moving to Florida might help.
...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...
Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home.
I've seen windows exploded by people who were not careful with heat guns...;o)I don't need remote start. I need remote unlock. LOL=0)Absolutely right on the door prying. That is why I am hoping to find something that will prevent the weatherseal from actually freezing to the door itself.There are lots of ways to get through the ice and fix the problem, once it has happened. Including carfully pouring hot water on the doors, and all around their edges. Or very carefully using that heat gun.What I want are ways to not have to do any of that in the first place. Keep the problem from happening, and you don't have to deal with the problem.
Get over it....... The angry going eat you up. ~Brownbagg '06
Go to a BMW dealer and ask for Gummi Phledge (don't know if the spelling is right). This is a non-silicone based product designed for weatherstripping and it is supposed to prevent freezing. Never tried it- read about it on other car forums.
To protect vinyl, get some 303 Aerospace Protectant. I have used this, and it works good on vinyl and weatherstripping. No silicones and not shiny like Armor All. Doesn't attract dirt, either.
Some new cars might have electronics near the lock cylinder, so graphite (conductive) and heat may not be a good idea.
PS, Lock-ease is what did not work for me, once the locks were frozen...
Get over it....... The angry going eat you up. ~Brownbagg '06
One trick that has worked for me is heat up the key with a lighter and then put it in the frozen lock for a minute to thaw the lock out.
sometimes we get cold spells here, I have big foam pads used for roofing from old couches, I just lay them on my windshield at night, There heavy enough not to blow off, Just take them off in the morning, windshieds perfectready to go, My locksmith said dont put anything but grafite in your locks
You have no idea what kind of huge winds we get here on a regular basis. Those cushions wouldn't stay on the windsheild here unless you tied them down.Again, a bunch of trouble. I am looking for ways to alleviate all the hassles, not just replace them with others...;o)
Get over it....... The angry going eat you up. ~Brownbagg '06
get some magnets and a piece of visqueen for covering the door(s)....
I tried keeping a handwarmer with me to heat the key, but I never could find the thing when I needed it...
I also used Denatured Alcohol in the washer fluid,it seemed to help prevent the crystals from forming while the defroster was warming up...and I could catch a buzz from the vapors too....
.
.
.Imagination is more important than knowledge.....
Albert Einstein..........Wer ist jetzt der Idiot
?
Go down to Car Toys and have them install a remote start/unlock, I did it for my wifes old explorer. She could fire it p from inside 10 mins before she was ready to go, go outside, push the unlock, and have a nice toasty ride to work. I think they're $100-200 range installed.
I wonder if coating my whole truck with rainx would cut down on the washings?
I spray windshield deicer into iced up locks. Generally followed by wd-40, then after the wd-40 dries out, lock ease.
The catch is, I have to get someone elses deicer because mine is LOCKED inside the truck. Unless it's at home, but then the garage lock is frozen also.
I also use graphite for locks, but the stuff I have is in a aerosol can, with a plastic straw -- so you can spray it into the lock cylinder. This helps in most cases, but sometimes I still have to spray the de-icer into the lock. I have also used one of those windshield covers they sell in auto parts stores. I tucked it under the windshield wipers, and held it in place at the top of the windshield with a couple of these rare earth magnets:http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=42359&cat=1,42363I wonder if you could use a couple of these magnets to hold a piece of plastic in place over your door locks?********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
my new van dosn't have it but my '59 studebaker pickup has covers over the keyhole on the doors. The '59 stay warm in the garage these days but it was a good idea back then. p.s. the heater in the stude will MELT your shoes! Maybe I should take it out of retirement for the winter? nah.
Your mention of the Studebaker reminds me of the first new car I bought back in the 60's. It was a VW Beetle, and I had it equipped with a gas heater that was located in the front luggage compartment. Even if it was 20 below, that thing would produce heat immediately, which was a real luxury. The idea of a gas heater passed quickly though, since I assume it was a terrible hazard. Like riding around with a bomb in your lap.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Actually those are great and safe heaters. VW just improved the heaters on the old rigs to the point that the gas heater became obsolete.
Really? Instant heat was always great to have in my kind of climate, but as I recall, such gas heaters were only available for a few years.So I assumed it was because they were dangerous.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
I use a tarp when my car has to sit outside. It may not be pretty. But it sure beats trying to chip ice off the outside of the car so I can get a door open.I just use one of the cheap blue ones. Never had any problems with scratches.But my car probably isn't as nice as your truck.(-:
Newspaper ad: "Home wanted for friendly Labrador. Will eat anything -- loves children"
The Bad News: If your locks (both doors?) are still freezing after graphite, there is a buildup of old lube and gunk, that over the years is hodling moisture and freezing. The only cure is to remove the door trim, douse the works with carb cleaner, dry everything (compressed air, dryer, whatever) and apply fresh graphite. Old door seals don't fit as tight as new, and will definitely let moisture settle and freeze. Depending on year, make and model, new ones can be quite reasonable.The Good News: This cure will last for years. Try a dab of painters tape over the locks to prevent wind driven moisture from entering. RainX will speed up rubber break down. You don't notice it as much with wipers, 'cause you're not applying directly to them. Good Luck, Stay Warm!
Thank you.Well, there's another project for when it warms up again. LOL
Get over it....... The angry going eat you up. ~Brownbagg '06
I think the previous post has a good read on the lock cylinder issue.
For the door seals, try getting a little tin of plumbers silicone grease (Gunk is a common brand), and applying a thin layer to the door seals.
The silicone grease is inert and has none of the solvents and.or propellants that can degrade the rubber....plus it seems to last a bit longer than the spray.
RJB has the same method I use, although I just wipe down the rubber with a paste wax. I do think that the plumbers grease will last longer, going to try that next time.
I have cleaned out padlocks and other dirty keyways with ether. I'll take the little spray tube off a can of WD-40, attach it to the ether and spray out the keyway. The ether evaporates fast and then i'll do the graphite treatment.
My truck and trailer won't fit in the garage so I place one of those little ceramic heaters on the front seat and plug it into a drop cord that runs into the garage and plugged into a timer that turns on about a 1/2 hour before I typically leave the house.
No scrapping and a warm seat to boot.
Terry
VW sold the gas heaters as an add on I bought one in 1969 for about $70 I think from the dealer- instant heat.
Rain X is good but up here it can leave a gummy residue on the glass.
As for the locks, first you have to get all the water out, any alcohol based liquid is best for that, although i wouldn't suggest you use Stoli on your door locks. Hot Water is always a bad option, it leaves even more moisture behind and can crack your glass, Lots of people like remote starters, and cabin heaters, they have the advantage of gradually drying out the interior and door frames, locks, etc.
I always try the cheapest fix first, put a 60 or 100 watt trouble light inside the cab where it won't melt anything, graphite the locks, Wax the windshield and mirrors, after a good clean, ice forms first on surfaces with lots of dirt. Keep the trouble light going for a week, post back on what works for you.
WW
I've noticed that gummy residue a couple of times.But ONLY when the RainX was applied in below freezing temps. Get the car inside and let it acclimate and warm up, or wait until a day when the temps are in the mid to upper 40's at least, before applying.I considered refilling that little plastic, lock de-icer bottle with plain old rubbing alcohol and squirting that in there, the next time they freeze.The inside of the truck is dry. First one I have had in more than two decades that was actually always dry inside. LOLBut this truck has no rain gutters. Add to that, they decided to curve the side doors and windows quite a bit... The only place for water to go, is along the weather strip. (Or tons of it running in like a river onto me, if I forget and open the window the least bit when it is raining... LOL)I wish there were some kind of aftermarket rain gutter that you could just stick on this thing where the rain gutter should have been. (No drilling, sanding, painting, etc. I don't have the money do do a good looking job of that, and I do not want to make this thing look ugly.)
Get over it....... The angry going eat you up. ~Brownbagg '06
A RV shop should have stick on rain gutters or something like that.
I wondered about that.I wouldn't mind the chrome stuff stuck on there if I can make it look good, and it does the job.Music to my ears. But I am all "researched" out for a while. I'll have to let the search for this product go, until another time.Unless you have a link ?=0)
Get over it....... The angry going eat you up. ~Brownbagg '06
Didn't find any, try http://www.jcwhitney.com for a looksee, if you havent already.
Already tried them. They had nada.For a while I wondered if I could find a piece of stick on chrome trim at one of the big boxes, that might be made to work.
Get over it....... The angry going eat you up. ~Brownbagg '06
Thanks, Luka for the tip, I will get the truck inside and re apply.
WW
You are welcome.Once applied, and allowed to "cure", the temps don't affect it anymore. It just sits there, and keeps the ice from making itself a part of the windsheild.=0)
Get over it....... The angry going eat you up. ~Brownbagg '06
There is some stuff called 303 or 303 for short that is amazing as a UV preservative. I use it on all of my whitewater inflatables and my truck. there are only 2 negatives. its very expensive, and it makes stuff super slippery. Put 303 on a whitewater raft and laugh hysterically as folks slide all over the place.
http://www.303products.com/main.php
jeff
PS I second powdered graphite for locks..
<There is some stuff called 303, or 303 for short>
Ummm - how is that shorter?
;-)
Forrest - askin' the difficult questions
It used to be formula 303, but googled it and its a muscle relaxant... yeah that will help. my bad!
I dunno, dude.Armorall makes everything super slippery too. Armorall makes a lot of the same claims these people do. Including protecting your vinyl roof from UV. And I have seen what Armorall REALLY does to vinyl...
Get over it....... The angry going eat you up. ~Brownbagg '06
I agree about armorall, but 303, thats some good squishy. I have natural black latex seals on my drysuit for the wrist and next, and they are one of the most chemical/combustion/UV sensitive materials I have ever encountered, and with annual 303 applications, they look brandy new... My PVC boats look way younger than actual age as a result of 303 annually as well too. No one can believe the way they look compared to actual river time. We also used it when I was a professional guide up in MA at the end of each season.
At 65+ a gallon it had better be good though!
If you've used it for years, thats a good enough reccomendation for me.I'll get some when I can, and try it out.=0)
Get over it....... The angry going eat you up. ~Brownbagg '06
At this time o year I give all my locks and seals some treatment with sylicone spray. I made sure the door locks were well greased when fitted to the doors, so all I need to treat is the lock barrel; quick squirt with a straw type nozzel into the key slot is usually more than enough to keep it from freezing and lubricated year round.
As for the door seals, I give them a good clean (along with the mating faces on the dors themselves) and lightly spray the seals. The one thing I haven't cracked yet is how to stop the passengers side widow from fogging up before the cab heater kicks in....
Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
For door, trunk gaskets: glycerin.
The day I made the first post in this thread, I just kept thinking... Silicone spray.Won't it freeze up at all ?You'd think WD-40 wouldn't, but it does...
Get over it....... The angry going eat you up. ~Brownbagg '06
"The day I made the first post in this thread, I just kept thinking... Silicone spray.
Won't it freeze up at all ?
You'd think WD-40 wouldn't, but it does..."
Hmm....I was out in the garage the other day using some WD-40, and it was about -2 degrees F at the time. As far as I could tell it was still in liquid form. :-)
Yeah, right there...But in that car door lock, it goes all thick and gummy. And it does not keep the lock from freezing up.
Get over it....... The angry going eat you up. ~Brownbagg '06
I spray WD-40 in the all the keyholes with the little straw before I go to the carwash in the winter and it always works for me. Maybe Ive just been lucky. I know it doesnt thaw out a lock that is already frozen. I also use the silicone spray on the door rubber and it helps, but not always100% with that. Might have to try the silicone grease. One other thing that WD-40 works good for is the snow shovel.The snow will not stick at all.. and Im not employed by WD-40.. I just use it quite a bit.
Edited 1/20/2007 9:22 am ET by wood4rd
I tried the search but no go....anyway, Piffin or Rez or someone had a long list of stuff that WD40 could be used for. Maybe someone could resurect it and post for us, please....The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...
Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home.
WD-40 should take care of everything. The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and de-greaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a "water displacement" Compound. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. The Conveyer Company bought it in bulk to protect their Atlas missile parts. The workers were so pleased with the product, they began smuggling (Also known as "shrinkage" or "stealing") it out to use at home. The executives decided there might be a consumer market for it and put it in Aerosol cans. The rest, as they say, is history. It is a carefully guarded recipe known only to four people. Only one of them is the "brew master." There are about 2.5 million gallons of the stuff manufactured each year. It gets it's distinctive smell from a fragrance that is added to the brew. Ken East says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you. Here are some of its uses: 1. Protects silver from tarnishing 2. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings 3. Gets oil spots off concrete driveways 4. Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making it slippery 5. Keeps flies off cows 6. Restores and cleans chalkboards 7. Removes lipstick stains 8. Loosens stubborn zippers 9. Untangles jewelry chains 10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks 11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill 12. Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing 13. Removes tomato stains from clothing 14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots 15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors 16. Keeps scissors working smoothly 17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes 18. Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a super fast slide 19. Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers 20. Rids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises 21. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open 22. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close 23. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers 24. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles 25. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans 26. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons and bicycles for easy handling 27. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools. 28. Removes splattered grease on stove 29. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging 30. Lubricates prosthetic limbs 31. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell) 32. Removes all traces of duct tape 33. I have even heard of folks spraying it on their arms, hands, knees, etc., to relieve arthritis pain. 34. One fellow claims spraying it on fishing lures attracts fish. 35. WD-40 has been designated the "official multi-purpose problem-solver of NASCAR," a ringing endorsement if there ever was one. <!----><!----><!---->
In celebration of their 50th year, the company conducted a contest to learn the favorite uses of its customers and fan club members(yes, there is a WD-40 Fan Club). They compiled the information to identify the favorite use in each of the 50 states. Naturally I was curious about Georgia and Alabama, and found thefavorite use in both states was that it "penetrates stuck bolts, lug nuts, and hose ends." Florida's favorite use was "cleans and removes lovebugs from grills and bumpers." California's favorite use was penetrating the bolts on the Golden Gate Bridge.Let me close with one final, wonderful use, the favorite use in the State of New York -- <!----><!---->
WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements. No wonder they have had 50 successful years. One person says one thing he has found that you do not get it on anything that is TO BE painted. You won't be able to paint that item. PS........If you are bitten by a fire ant, spray the area immediately with WD40, it will take the sting away. We¹ve tried it, it works. (Just don¹t get too oiled up my friend! a little spray will do ya!) Mosquito Remedy: Pass this on to anyone who likes sitting out in the evening or when they're having a cook out. So you don't like those pesky mosquitoes, especially now that they have the potential to carry the West Nile Virus? <!----><!---->
Here's a tip that was given at a recent gardening forum. Put some water in a white dinner plate and add a couple drops of Lemon Fresh Joy dish detergent. Set the dish on your porch, patio, or other outdoor area. Not sure what attracts them, the lemon smell, the white plate color, or what, but mosquitoes flock to it, and drop dead shortly after drinking the Lemon Fresh Joy/water mixture, and usually within about 10 feet of the plate. Check this out--- it works just super!May seem trivial, but it may help control mosquitoes around your home, especially in the South and elsewhere where the West Nile virus is reaching epidemic proportions in mosquitoes, birds, and humans.<!----><!---->Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Thanks. =0)...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...
Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home.
How about one of those magnetic business cards over the lock at night? Or something similar? It might help keep some moisture out and you probably have some on your fridge already.
Now that's thinking outside the box.=0)
Laughter is the closest distance between two people. --Victor Borge
The problem w/ WD-40 is that it leaves behind some residue that gums things up. I doubt if the WD-40 is acutally freezing, but the gummy residue gets considerably more viscous in the cold. WD-40 shouldn't be used on locks........or guns..........yup, I found out the hard way.
Edited 1/24/2007 2:22 pm ET by bd
the coldest temps I've subjected the Landrover to were in the region of -23C (sorry, I've no idea what that is in auld money).. Locks and seals were fine, but the thermal shock of backslide meeting them vinyl seets.. Oi Vey...!! Sometimes having a narrow azz is a distict handicap.Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
as a kid half my cars wipers never worked... I'd wax the windsheild inside & out... no fog and as long as you were move'n you could see fine.. faster you went better you could see... worked just like rainx to me... like you said ice just pops off
I keep a few cans of spray deicer....at $1.50 a can... it's gold... we don't have the problem you have but for frost covered glass it's a 30 second deal to hit all the glass and outside mirrors... one can lasts me a long time... same stuff works for frozen locks also
if your rubber weather stripping is freeze'n to your door jams... then wax'n the jams and mineral oil on the rubber will keep it from ever stick'n
a remote to unlock your doors is easy... check ebay or JC whittney... for a few bucks more you can get the remote start also... then everything would be thawed out & warm by the time you got to the truck anyway
peace
p
The first year that RainX was available I was told by a supplier that RainX was essentially a window wax.So your experience doesn't surprise me.Their never fog stuff does not work. But I have many times considered using the same stuff on the inside, that I use on the outside. Maybe I'll try it on a side window when the weather warms back up around here.
Get over it....... The angry going eat you up. ~Brownbagg '06