Why Dry Graphite Beats Oil for Locks, Hinges, and Gates in Freezing Weather

A lock that won't turn or a gate that won't swing is a common winter problem. In most cases, the hardware is fine. The issue is the lubricant.

Oil works well in mild weather. When temperatures drop below freezing, it can cause the same sticking and binding it was supposed to prevent. Dry graphite holds up better in the cold, and the reason comes down to how each one behaves once the temperature falls.

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