Dear Heat,

Good p.m. and may this find you well. Petroleum-based lubricants get very viscous - "gummy" or "sticky" - in extreme cold. Synthetic lubricants flow better under such conditions, but will also get "gummy" at temperatures below -50 degrees Farenheit (F, = -45 Celsius).

This low-temperature property of lube oil - the loss of viscosity - is why aircraft on (emergency) missions to Antarctica during the winter (April-October) do not turn off their engines, while loading or off-loading. The engines are not shut down because at -80 to -100 degrees F. - common winter temps in Antarctica - the engine lube oil will become so viscous, that within minutes, it will be impossible to re-start the engines.

Teflon-based lubricants maintain lubricity at -150 to -200 degrees Farenheit. Teflon is not used as an engine lubricant, because Teflon cannot withstand engine operating temperatures. However, Teflon lubricants are fine for door locks, because Teflon will maintain its lubricating properties at ambient temperatures to be found anywhere on Earth (I believe the highest recorded air temperature, was 135.9 degrees F., logged at al-Aziziya, Libya on 13 September 1922).

You locks may be "gummed up" with oil-based lubricants, which get very "sticky", in extreme cold. If a synthetic-based lubricant does not free-up the locks, try to find a Teflon lubricant. An auto supply store should have this item: I do not know of a specific brand, as I have some cans bought years ago.

You will need to warm the lock, to liquefy the petroleum-based lubricant, so that it can be displaced by a synthetic lubricant or a teflon-based lubricant. You can warm the lock mechanism with a hair dryer and also be heating the key, and putting it into the lock.

When using the hair dryer, be careful with regard to the paint. Keep the hair dryer on "medium".

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

spook