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each of the pin chambers,
gravity working in our
favour.
The levers in mortise
locks have a large surface
area rubbing against each
other, and an oil of higher
viscosity will result in the
levers binding with each
other. 3in1 is a great oil for
these locks, and can easily
be sprayed down onto
the levers with the latch
retracted (in sash-locks
– a really quick and easy
service).
But what of the greases?
White grease works
excellently on the internal
part of a night-latch, and
effectively, that is, to stop
you from opening the lock!
Add+It clear grease can
be sprayed inside these
locks. It will penetrate well,
but quickly thickens up,
helping to buy you more
time as you pick each pin.
I have opened a number of
BS locks using this method
in much quicker time than
without. But care should
be taken to wash the grease
out afterwards with a good
jet of light oil, such as
3in1, to prevent the pins
from sticking in the future.
The story is also similar
with automotive locks especially laser locks. This
‘care should be taken to wash the
grease out afterwards with a good jet
of light oil, such as 3in1, to prevent
the pins from sticking in the future’
clear grease is brilliant for a
smooth MPL mechanism.
That is not all though…
While you might opt for
an oil like 3in1 to pick a
euro or car lock, it is not
always the correct choice.
We have already looked – at
the start of this article - at
feeling inside the lock with
our pick, and by now, we
should know how strong
the springs are (or how
easily the discs will move
in a car lock). Many locks
now meet British Standards
(BS) in one form or another,
and these can usually be
identified by the stronger
springs (if there is no
Kitemark). Unfortunately,
a light oil can help these
springs to do their job more
time, I prefer to use the
Add+It white grease. The
first time I tried t