Door hinges squeak: how can I lubricate the door?

What can you lubricate?

To eliminate creaking refrigerator doors, it is often enough to lubricate the upper and lower hinges with a special product. For this purpose, paraffin wax, petroleum jelly and mineral oil are used.

Paraffin wax

A form of wax that contains oil shale, petroleum and coal is called paraffin wax. It is a colorless solid. When the temperature rises above 37 ⁰C, it begins to melt. Its boiling point is above 370 ⁰С. The compound is soluble in benzene and ether, but this cannot be done in water. Paraffin wax is flammable and is a good insulator because it does not allow current to pass through. Most often it is used to lubricate rubbing surfaces and electrical insulation.

Petrolatum

The product is prepared from paraffin resins of deciduous origin. They are cleaned and bleached using special preparations. Vaseline is a viscous, transparent, colorless, odorless substance. Capable of attracting moisture. Does not wash off with water. It fulfills its purpose perfectly, softening the movement of the hinges, but it does not last long. The advantage is accessibility; Vaseline is always on hand in any home.

Mineral oil

It is created from oil using technical plant crops. The production process is quite simple, so the price of mineral oils is low. Solidification occurs at low temperatures. You can find mineral oil for sale for household needs in practical packaging, in a plastic container with a convenient spout. Packaging is about 100 grams.

Lubrication technology

We've figured out the means, now let's look at how to lubricate door hinges with their help.

You can perform this operation in two ways:

1. Superficially, without disassembling the loops;
2. Capital, i.e. in disassembled form.

Lubricate without disassembling

Most often there is a need to quickly lubricate hinges without disassembling them.

In this case, the technology depends on the type of product you will use:

Please note that all these methods only allow you to temporarily get rid of squeaks. Those. Six months/year will pass, and we will have to return to the problem of creaking doors. In some cases, if the cause of the squeak is debris clogged in the hinge, surface lubrication may not help much at all.

Left without lubrication, the hinges will quickly become unusable.

Therefore, if you want to lubricate the awnings once and for all, you need to disassemble them.

After lubricating the awnings, do not forget to lubricate the lock

Lubricate the disassembled hinges

The instructions for major lubrication look like this:

Action Illustrations

Pull out the axis connecting the cards

As a rule, canopies consist of two cards (plates) that are connected by an axis. To disassemble them, you need to unscrew the lock, which is located at the lower end of the axle, and then pull out the axle with pliers. If the axle does not come out, do not try to knock it out with a hammer, as in this case you risk damaging the hinge and the door leaf. It is better to treat it with WD40 and wait a while for the product to eat away the rust.

Process the axle and hinges

Clean the axle from dust and dirt

This is very important, as we have already said, the cause of squeaking is often debris caught in the moving mechanism. Then follow these steps: Thoroughly lubricate the axle with graphite lubricant, silicone or, for example, grease. Do the same work with your own hands with the loops themselves.

Collect a loop and rotate the cards around the axis

Assemble the hinge by inserting the rod and rotate the cards around the axis, closing and opening the door. This will squeeze out excess lubricant.

Wipe the surface of the cards with a cloth

Wipe the surface of the canopy with a rag and remove excess grease.

If the axle is bent, be sure to straighten it

The cause of the squeak may be a bent rod. Therefore, after removal, carefully inspect it and, if necessary, level it with a hammer.

If the awnings do not have a removable axle, lift the door leaf to disassemble them

It must be said that some models of canopies do not have a removable axle. To disassemble them, you need to lift the door or first remove the canopy by unscrewing the screws from the door panel or frame. Otherwise, the process of treating them with lubricant is carried out according to the principle described above.

Some hinge models cannot be disassembled

There are also generally non-separable hinge options. Accordingly, they can only be lubricated superficially.

Causes of squeaking on door hinges

Let's look at several main factors that lead to squeaking. It all depends on which door, where it is located and how it is installed, how intensively it is used - one of the following reasons will certainly arise:

• Warping of the door leaf: this can happen due to improper installation, the use of low-quality materials, or simply over time. Under the influence of gravity, the fastenings become loose and the door begins to cling to the lining.

Tighten the fasteners more tightly and the problem will be eliminated for a while. But it is better to seek the help of a qualified professional. It may be necessary to completely reinstall the door, replacing the entire mechanism or adjusting the rubbing parts.

• There is no bearing: the presence of a special ball in the door hinge facilitates sliding. This is especially important if the door is heavy - iron, or made of solid wood. In this case, you need to add the missing part. However, to do this you will have to remove the hinges.
• Rust: most often this misfortune happens to street doors, but interior fastenings are not immune to corrosion. Here the best remedy is prevention, but if it does happen, first clean the hinges from oxidation, and then thoroughly lubricate them. And quickly, otherwise you will have to replace the entire mechanism.
• Needs lubrication: The most common and easy to fix reason is simply lubricating the door hinges. The lubricant dries out, decomposes, and becomes clogged with dust and debris. It needs to be updated regularly. Preventive measures help to significantly extend the service life of door canopies, both indoors and outdoors.
• Lubricated with what was used: poor-quality or unsuitable lubricant can also be the reason why the door hinge squeaks. The lubricant simply cannot cope with the load, does not eliminate friction and does not protect the mechanism from premature wear and rust. Thorough cleaning and application of a suitable composition will help with this problem.

Causes of squeaking

Depending on what kind of door is installed, the reasons for the creaking may be different.

Craftsmen who are faced with door repairs most often identify the following reasons that provoke squeaking:

Incorrect installation. In this case, the hinges may be welded incorrectly, and then to solve the problem it will be necessary to completely replace the door and door frame; Lack of lubrication. Perhaps, after installing the product, its hinges were not lubricated, so you just need to purchase a lubricating solution and fill the hinges with it

It is important to know that the composition should not contain grease - over time, its particles become abrasive, which can also cause squeaking; No balls. If there are no bearings in the hinge mechanism, the canvas will need to be removed and the hinges disassembled, supplementing them with the necessary parts; High humidity

Due to constant exposure to moisture, the door may swell, resulting in friction against the door frame, causing creaking. This situation involves complete dismantling of the old door group and installation of a new one. Before carrying out this process, you need to get rid of the source of moisture so that the problem does not recur; Wrong choice of cladding. The material may come into contact with the door frame, causing friction and squeaking. In this case, replacement of the cladding material will be required; Faulty elements. Check all parts of the door and door frame for suitability; perhaps over time, some of them have become faulty and need to be replaced; The hinges are not securely fastened. You need to change the mounting bolts and check the result; The side part of the panel may touch the trim and cause squeaks; to eliminate the unpleasant sound, adjust the door;

The owner of the apartment, hearing a creak in the door, immediately gives preference to any available oil-based product. Most often, people use vegetable oil, which is fundamentally wrong. You can and should use oil only when the problem is really related to the hinges.

In this case, you should use machine oil, which is sold in car dealerships. It has an appropriate composition that cleans door hinges and prevents them from clogging, which cannot be said about sunflower oil.

How to lubricate hinges on a door without removing the door: causes of squeaking, what to do at home

When opening old doors, a squeaking sound often occurs, which is annoying for many people. Hearing such an unpleasant sound, you want to get rid of it immediately. To prevent creaking, you need to figure out in advance how to lubricate the hinges on the door without removing the door.

Causes of squeaking

There are several reasons for the appearance of an unpleasant creaking sound when opening or closing a door.

Incorrect fastening of hinges during installation

Among the common causes of squeaks are incorrect installation of hinges. In this case, extraneous sounds appear during the first days of operation of the installed door.

To fix this problem, you will have to reinstall the hinge parts.

If they are not screwed to the door frame, but are welded, you will have to turn to specialists with a welding machine for help.

Hinges and facing touch each other

Sometimes squeaking sounds appear due to the contact of the door trim with the installed hinges. Most often they come into contact due to size mismatch.

Therefore, to prevent the door from creaking when opening, you will have to independently adjust the dimensions of the cladding with the hinge parts of the door.

Lack of lubrication or use of the wrong substance

Often, after prolonged use of doors, an unpleasant squeaking sound appears. Extraneous sounds coming from the hinges may indicate a lack of lubrication. The lubricating fluid applied during installation of the door structure lasts for 4-5 years. After this, you need to replace the lubricant with a new one.

No special balls in the design

Hinged designs have special balls that prevent squeaking. Some door hinge manufacturers do not add enough balls to them, which leads to squeaks. There is only one way to get rid of this problem - to disassemble the structure and equip it with everything you need yourself.

Great wear

Door hinges, like most other parts, wear out over time. Determining that a product has begun to wear out is quite simple. To do this, just carefully examine the loop. A worn-out part begins not only to creak, but also to sag. If the hinges sag too much, the door will no longer close tightly.

Rusty hinges

All metal products face the problem of corrosion. Most often, traces of rust appear on doors that are installed in private houses on the street. Due to prolonged rains and high humidity, rust forms on their surface. Over time, it gets from the surface into the inside of the hinges, after which they begin to creak.

Manufacturing defects

Sometimes people buy door hinges with factory defects. Common consequences of using such parts include the following:

• loosening loops;
• creaking;
• contact of the platband with the door frame.

Door hinge device

When making loops, high-quality metal alloys are often used. Also, such parts can be made of Teflon materials or stainless steel. To become familiar with the design features, you need to understand its main elements:

• Door part made of durable iron insert.
• A Teflon spacer that is installed near the frame.
• The frame part, which includes mounting pins.

What can you use for lubrication at home?

If the door creaks, you need to start lubricating the hinges. There are several products that are often used as a lubricant.

Vegetable oil

Sunflower oil is found in almost every home and therefore it is used most often. Before lubricating the part, the liquid is drawn into a medical syringe, after which it is carefully squeezed out. After applying the oil, the door is opened and closed several times so that the liquid is better distributed over the surface.

Pencil lead

Vegetable oil dries quickly, and therefore experts advise using other means for treating loops. Popular anti-squeaking agents include pencil lead.

It is carefully placed on the hinges, after which the position of the door leaf is changed 2-3 times.

When the lead crumbles, the door must be closed and opened again so that the pencil particles can spread better.

Warm vegetable paraffin or wax

Non-standard methods of eliminating squeaking include the use of vegetable wax or molten paraffin. To stop the door from creaking, a burning candle is placed above its hinge parts. At the same time, it should be in such a position that hot paraffin or wax gets into the crevices of the product.

Special means

There are several special products that are often used when lubricating iron parts.

Sewing machine maintenance oil

Some people do not have machine oil on hand and have to use other means. It can be replaced with oil fluid for lubricating sewing machines. This product should be used in the same way as car maintenance oil.

Special lubricants for machine mechanisms

Means for treating machine mechanisms include litol and grease. A distinctive feature of such oily compositions is their high density. Apply the product to the surface of the mechanism using a cotton swab or finger.

Methods

There are various methods for eliminating squeaking, which you need to familiarize yourself with in advance.

Without dismantling the door

A squeaky hinge can be lubricated without removing the door leaf. The lubrication procedure consists of the following sequential steps:

• opening the door;
• raising the canvas by 1-2 centimeters;
• removing old grease and debris from fittings;
• applying oil liquid;
• lowering the door.

With the canvas removed

Sometimes lifting the canvas is not enough and you have to remove it completely. To do this, the door is opened slightly and a metal lever is placed under it. Then, with its help, the canvas is lifted and removed from the hinges. Having got rid of the door, the hinges are treated with a lubricant.

Processing rules

Before lubricating door hinges, you need to familiarize yourself with some rules for processing them.

The work must be done carefully so as not to damage the door leaf and hinge mechanism. The lubricant must be applied so that it evenly covers the entire surface.

Features of working with various doors

To quickly get rid of squeaking, you need to familiarize yourself with the lubrication features of different doors.

Plastic

Lubrication of products made of plastic is carried out in the following sequence:

• the hinge cover is removed and cleaned;
• special silicone lubricant is sprayed;
• the balcony door opens 1-2 times as much as possible so that the lubricant flows inside;
• installation of overlays.

Wooden

The most popular are doors made of wood.

An interior wooden door is lubricated as follows:

• Removing the loop rod located at the top of the mechanism. To quickly remove the rod, it is better to use pliers.
• Applying lubricant. The liquid is applied to the surface of the removed rod and poured inside the loop.
• Installation of the rod. After lubrication, the part is installed in the hinge mechanism.

Glass

Manufacturers of glass doors make permanent hinges that can only be lubricated with liquid compounds. The most suitable is WD-40, which is poured into each gap using a syringe or pipette.

Metal

Before installation, the metal entrance door is carefully treated with a lubricant. However, over time it dries out and a characteristic squeak appears. Therefore, in order to get rid of extraneous sounds, the loop must be lubricated with machine oil or grease. To do this, you will have to lift the door leaf and pour lubricant into the mechanism.

Accordion door

The peculiarity of such a door is that there is not a single hinge on it. Instead, special guides are used, which also creak over time. They need to be cleaned 1-2 times a month to remove debris that gradually accumulates inside.

Sliding

The hinges on which the sliding door panels are hung are treated with machine oil. First, the door is opened wide, after which liquid is poured into the openings of the mechanism. To make it easier to fill in the oil, you can use a syringe. The door leaf is rocked back and forth several times to better distribute the lubricant.

Lubricating parts

There are several parts that need to be lubricated regularly.

Hinges

The door leaf is opened and closed using special hinges. If you care for them incorrectly, an unpleasant squeak appears. Machine or sunflower oil, which is poured into the gap between the hinges, will help get rid of the creaking sound.

Awnings

This is another part that needs to be lubricated periodically. Metal sheds begin to squeak if they are not treated with oil for a long time. Therefore, they must be lubricated with grease or liquid oils every six months.

Guides

The accordion door opens not with hinges, but with special metal guides. Experts advise periodically washing them and cleaning them of debris. To make the door open smoother, the surface of the guides is coated with machine oil.

Door lock

Over time, the iron lock begins to work worse, which makes the key difficult to turn. To prevent the door lock from jamming, a lubricating compound is poured into it using a pipette, enema or syringe. 2-3 drops are enough.

Butterfly loops

Many doors have butterfly hinges that need to be lubricated regularly. It is better to use motor oil as a lubricant, which will extend the life of the hinge mechanism. Engine oil should be changed every four months.

Preventative care

To prevent the doors from starting to creak, you need to properly care for them. Experts advise regularly lubricating the hinges with grease, machine oil and other means. If the door is installed not in an apartment, but on the street, its hinges are processed once every three months.

Conclusion

Sooner or later, door hinges begin to creak when moving. To get rid of an unpleasant squeak, you need to familiarize yourself with the reasons for its occurrence, the most effective means for treating the mechanism and recommendations for preventive maintenance.

How to lubricate a car door and how to do it correctly

As mentioned above, if the door seals and hinges are in order, you can solve the problem of squeaking with lubricant

However, it is important to first make sure that the doors have not sagged, there is no need to adjust locks and hinges, etc.

So, in order to eliminate the squeaking of car doors, you first need to carefully remove dirt and remnants of old grease from the hinges. It happens that a thick layer of dirt adheres to the old lubricant, and the lubricant itself hardens and loses its properties.

The result is that small particles of dirt in the lubricant wear out the mating surfaces, the lubricant itself does not perform its functions, the hinge works hard, creaks, crunches, etc.

To fix the problem, you need to clean and degrease the surface of the hinges. Gasoline or kerosene is suitable for degreasing; you can use carburetor cleaner. The product is applied with a brush, after which dirt is actively removed from the hinges. Next, the brush is cleaned.

So, having removed the remaining dirt and remaining grease, the hinges are treated with grease. Litol, or the well-known Solidol, is also suitable. The main thing is to lubricate only the areas in contact with each other to avoid contamination of adjacent elements.

You can apply the lubricant with a brush or squeeze it out through a syringe. If you use the product in the form of an aerosol spray, it is more convenient to apply such a composition, since it is enough to spray the lubricant on the hinges.

By the way, according to reviews, Molykote Multigliss performs well. The composition copes with temperature changes, reliably protects hinges, eliminates squeaks, etc. By the way, as for locks, silicone lubricants are the right solution, and hinges can be treated with Liqui Moly spray. As a last resort, you can apply WD-40, but the latter option is not durable.

Let us also add that during lubrication you should not spill the hinges from above. To lubricate them, many cars have special recesses. There may also be a container hidden under the cap. The cap is removed, then the grease is poured in the required volume, after which the cap is put in place.

Then, in order for the lubricant to be distributed along the hinges, you will need to fully open and close the doors 5-10 times. If the squeak remains, you should once again inspect how thoroughly the dirt was removed from the hinges. Also, the door itself may sag, there is obvious wear on the hinge, etc.

The best lubricants against squeaking hinges

In fact, in most cases these problems can be solved quite simply. As a rule, the fact that a door creaks is a consequence of the friction of the door hinge elements against each other. These elements need to be lubricated. There are several popular and effective means for this:

• machine oil;
• diesel oil;
• spindle oil;
• cyatim;
• grease;
• various silicone lubricants and aerosols;
• special compositions for lubrication.

It is clear that the substances and materials listed above are unlikely to be at hand in an apartment or house at the right time. You will have to go to specialized stores for them.

Meanwhile, there are alternative means that can almost certainly be found in any home:

• vegetable oil;
• candle paraffin;
• graphite shavings of a soft pencil.

However, these simple “folk” remedies still cannot compare in their effect with, say, machine or diesel oil.

Special mention should be made about vegetable oil. After lubricating the hinges with this oil, the door structure will most likely begin to make sounds again after a few days. In addition, abundant and frequent use of sunflower oil causes corrosion. This means that instead of the old creaking, an even more unpleasant grinding noise may appear. That is, vegetable oil is quite suitable for achieving short-term results, but in order to achieve a long-term victory, you still need to use something more serious.

Range of lubricants

Vegetable oil
As a rule, in any home there is a sufficient amount of materials that can be used to lubricate squeaking hinges. It is better to use thick products, as they stick to the metal better and do not run off or evaporate.

As for available materials, you can use the following:

1. Vegetable oil. Just a few drops are enough for the harsh sounds to disappear. However, vegetable oil can be considered as a temporary measure - it quickly thickens, creating excessive pressure in the opening.
2. Plasticine. You can add it to the hinges only by first removing the door leaf. But plasticine can only be used in heated rooms. When cooled, this material hardens and becomes an additional source of squeaking.
3. A regular pencil with increased softness. Just 1 cm of lead is enough. The graphite needs to be crushed into powder and added to the hinge opening.
4. Used engine oil drained from a vehicle. You can find it in any garage in unlimited quantities.

At the first opportunity, hinges lubricated with such materials must be completely cleaned and treated with specially designed products. For this it is better to use:

• WD 40 is a liquid that removes rust, lubricates well and protects metal from corrosion;
• litol is a thick automotive lubricant designed for treating rubbing parts, operating in heat and in extreme cold conditions;
• Cyatim is an oil of thick consistency with anti-corrosion additives that protect the metal from rust for a long time;
• machine oil comes with sewing machines and eliminates all squeaks for several days.

Today, lubricant manufacturers offer consumers silicone-based lubricants. This material adheres firmly to the metal without draining or evaporating. An important advantage is that silicone does not collect dust, remaining always clean.

Recommendations for lubricating hinges

The process of treating the hinge mechanism with a lubricant is very simple. Although a beginner might still need a few tips on how to lubricate door hinges.

1. The most convenient way is to lubricate door hinges with a special nozzle with a tube, like the WD-40 spray discussed above. If you don’t have one, then a simple syringe will do the job.
2. Excess lubricant should be removed with a dry cloth.
3. Parts that show abrasion require increased attention. They should be cleaned of dirt and thoroughly treated with lubricant.
4. The main hinge mechanism is located inside, so this part needs to be lubricated especially well.

How to lubricate hinges of interior doors and more

It should be said that the process of applying lubricant to the hinges is the same for any door, be it interior, metal or balcony. The processing progress may vary only depending on the type of loops installed.

Processing split hinges

Processing the hinges will be most effective if the door is removed. To do this, the door needs to be lifted, for example, using a crowbar. Then apply lubricant to all elements of the hinge mechanism, both on the leaf and on the door frame.

After this, the door is hung back. In order for the product to be distributed evenly in the mechanism, the door must be opened and closed several times. Wipe off excess lubricant with a dry cloth.

Processing of permanent hinges

If the door is installed on permanent hinges (also called universal hinges), then the lubricating compound is applied to the gaps between the hinges.

Caring for fittings

The occurrence of squeaking door hinges can be avoided if they are periodically cleaned of dirt and treated. This will prevent abrasion of parts and corrosion. If the hinges are already susceptible to corrosion, they should be cleaned with a special rust-corroding agent.

Recommendations: how to care for the hinges of plastic structures

Doors made of metal-plastic can often irritate with an unpleasant squeak. They are often installed in areas where changes in temperature or humidity are common. Rust appears on the hinges, without removing which you will not be able to get rid of annoying sounds.

WD-40 aerosol works best for this task. It is easy to apply, effectively cleans the surface of rust particles and lubricates the hinges, eliminating sounds for a while. It is better to use the aerosol in tandem with machine oil. At the first stage, the loops are treated with an aerosol. On the second, oil is applied from a tube or drawn into a syringe with the needle removed.

If the squeak does not disappear, most likely there are problems with adjusting the blade. To check the geometry, you can use a regular washable marker. The sash should be completely closed and outlined around. Once you open the door, you will be able to notice how uniform the distances are between the edges of the door leaf and the frame.

If the check shows that the canvas is sagging, it must be pulled up to the jamb by adjusting the top hinge mechanism. The spanner is inserted into the adjustment screw, after which several turns are made clockwise.

Adjusting the bottom hinge is more difficult because it has two adjustment screws. The first, located on the upper end, allows you to lift the door upward. The second, placed on the side hinge, makes it possible to center the canvas relative to the horizontal of the jamb.

Recommendations for processing are relevant not only for doors, but also for window fittings

Basic recommendations for caring for plastic doors are presented in the video:

Advice! The mechanisms of plastic doors should be adjusted at least once a year. This will keep the structure as functional as possible for a long time and prevent squeaking and delay the wear of the fittings.

Other methods for eliminating squeaks

If the above methods do not help, there are other methods for getting rid of unpleasant sound:

1. Use of aerosol oils. The most popular option today is WD-40, which is used not only for lubricating doors. It is convenient because it has an additional thin nozzle with which you can penetrate the hinge holes.

Spray the solution directly onto the hinge while trying to open and close the door. The squeak should go away instantly;

1. Repairing the rod. If the sound does not go away, then you should disassemble the loop. The part itself is held on a rod that needs to be pulled out. This device is easy to find - it connects all the hinge plates together.

The rod needs to be wiped well, or better yet, use a metal sponge to remove dirt and blockages. If the part is bent, it needs to be straightened with a hammer.

If rust is found on the rod, use sandpaper to get rid of it. An alternative could be soap, which is used to lubricate the part and install it back into the loop.

After the manipulations have been completed, install the rod back and apply lubricant.

1. You can use Vaseline and lubricate the loops with it. Next, you need to open and close the door until the sound completely disappears.
2. If you don’t have lubricant on hand, you can eliminate the door squeak with regular soap. It is necessary to lubricate the hinge rod or the rubbing sides of the doors.

These tips will help eliminate annoying door squeaks. When performing sound removal operations, try not to overdo it with the amount of lubricant.

Video:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=mG-ln980G1I

Video:

When do you need to lubricate car door hinges?

As a rule, if a car door squeaks, it is important to figure out the reasons for the squeak, as well as how to lubricate the car door hinges. First of all, the door hinges themselves experience greater loads compared to a regular door in the house.

At the same time, the driver's door opens much more often than other doors in the car. Often it is she who starts to creak first. However, it also happens that creaking suddenly appears on the least loaded doors (for example, the rear ones).

One way or another, it should be taken into account that the lubricant for car door hinges under conditions of such loads and aggressive environments is used, washed off, loses its properties, becomes actively contaminated, etc.

It is for this reason that it is optimal to regularly lubricate the hinges in your car, regardless of whether there is a squeak or not. Renewing the lubricant even periodically often allows you to get rid of extraneous sounds, and also ensures the ease and smooth operation of the hinges themselves.

Let's move on. If a car door starts to creak, what to do in such a situation will be determined by the condition of the hinge itself. Traces of severe corrosion, cracks, or destruction of the elements securing the hinge may be the basis for a complete replacement of the part or attempts to carry out repairs (for example, welding the hinge).

In cases where no critical damage is identified, only adjustment and lubrication may be required. At the same time, it is a mistake to believe that the hinges in a car can be lubricated with anything.

It should be taken into account that the lubricant must have high penetrating ability, protect against corrosion, form a sufficient protective layer, not lose its properties in conditions of high humidity, remain on the surface in severe frosts or extreme heat, etc.

It is important that the composition can penetrate into the gaps between the rubbing parts of the loop and create a film there to avoid dry friction. At the same time, the product must be durable, not aggressive to rubber and plastic parts, not damage the car’s paintwork, etc. . These are the requirements that are put forward if you need lubricant for car locks, lubricant for car doors or hood/trunk hinges, lubricant for seals and other elements. In all cases, a high-quality lubricant includes additives, thickeners, as well as the lubricant base itself

These are the requirements that are put forward if you need lubricant for car locks, lubricant for car doors or hood/trunk hinges, lubricant for seals and other elements. In all cases, a high-quality lubricant includes additives, thickeners, as well as the lubricant base itself.

Just some twenty years ago, a variety of available means were used as lubricants, including kerosene, acetic acid, and even iodine, which is found in every first aid kit. But those times are far behind us, and today the choice of special chemicals is quite wide. Let us consider what properties they should have for each element separately.

Lubricants for locks should not be afraid of low temperatures, have excellent anti-corrosion properties and a minimum coefficient of friction

It is also very important that they are resistant to washing off, do not separate with subsequent oily discharge and, of course, have a long-lasting effect. Also, despite the fact that today there are many options for lubricating car doors, you need to choose a product based not on pricing policy, but on the quality of the product

Hinge lubrication

To do this, you need to wipe the parts with alcohol or gasoline, and then apply a consistent composition - litol or grease. Their advantage is their thick consistency, which does not lose its performance characteristics even in the heat. Also, due to their special structure, these products repel moisture, preventing it from entering the mechanism.

If earlier car service technicians used ordinary soap to lubricate door elements, now specialized products are made to “treat” creaking locks and hinges. Many of them contain Teflon.

Such coatings have the consistency of dry soap, and due to the absence of a greasy film, they resist the adhesion of sand, dirt, and dust. The only drawback of Teflon auto lubricants is their price. But the high cost is compensated by a long service life - about two years. Although soap protects mechanisms about the same - 1-2 years.

The answer is simple: after washing, for example, with Karcher and before winter, when the risk of acquiring an irritant in the form of a creaking door increases. In this case, lubricating the door locks and hinges of the car is simply necessary!

Tips: how to lubricate door hinges to prevent them from squeaking

If the door squeaks due to unlubricated hinges, a properly selected lubricant will help solve the problem.

An excellent inexpensive solution is to lubricate the hinges with WD-40.

What is the best way to lubricate the hinges of interior door leaves:

• Sewing machine oil;
• Machine oil, which is used for a car engine;
• Diesel oil;
• Tsiatim - perfectly removes not only squeaks, but also protects parts from corrosion and the effects of aggressive components;
• With a special product WD-40 - in addition to regular lubricant, this substance perfectly fights rust, and you can buy it at any auto parts store.

Do not lubricate a squeaky door with vegetable or olive oil. This gives, firstly, a short-term effect, and secondly, it causes the formation of excess plaque on the fittings, and in the end it will have to be changed.

An excellent home way to lubricate a door is to use a “soft” pencil lead. This is very simple to do - just put the stylus on the hinges and move the door a little in different directions. The material will crumble and get on all the loops.

If the front door of the house creaks, then it is better to lubricate it with substances such as:

• Litol - this lubricant is not afraid of frost and can withstand a temperature range from -40 to +120 degrees;
• Solidol is a fairly cheap product that can act in temperature conditions from -35 to +65 degrees.

If the front door leads to a vestibule or entrance where above-zero temperatures are constantly maintained, then you can use regular machine oil or WD-40.

How to lubricate correctly?

The final result depends no less on the technique of applying the lubricant than on the means by which it is carried out. Hinges need to be able to be lubricated correctly so that they do not creak. The composition applied to the desired area will help solve the problem efficiently and without hassle. This will help avoid subsequent contamination of the mechanism and extend its service life. It is worth clarifying certain rules regarding the lubrication process of any door hinges.

• The product must be applied using a special oil can, using a nozzle with a thin tube or a medical syringe.
• If the hinges are disassembled, you can treat them with a thin brush or a cotton swab lubricated with lubricant. A cloth is less convenient for lubrication.
• To avoid staining the doors with excess oil, you need to use a dry paper napkin.
• When a door squeak is heard in a specific area, that area needs more intensive treatment. It is easy to find by external signs of abrasion.
• The inner part of the hinges needs more generous treatment with oil, since it is the working part of the mechanism that is subject to wear.

To process universal hinges without removing the door, you need to select a suitable lubricant and a bottle with a thin spout. If the product is already packaged in this way, you can get down to business right away. Otherwise, you should carefully pour the oil composition into a convenient container. The lubricant should easily penetrate through dust and cover all working parts of the hinge mechanism with a protective film.

It is convenient to use the product in the form of a spray. Silicone and lithium lubricants are no less convenient. The latter of them is sold in all car dealerships and is great for processing anything squeaky and metallic. This method is very convenient for those who cannot lift a heavy door leaf. Lubricant is applied between the hinges, carefully filling the cracks with it.

The second method of lubricating the hinges on the door is more troublesome. Suitable for detachable hinges. You will have to remove the canvas by lifting it with a crowbar. Place it on top of two stable chairs and process according to the recommendations. In this position, it is much more convenient to inspect the hinges, especially if you have to disassemble or repair them.

Prepare unnecessary old rags in advance. Be sure to be dry and clean to wipe off excess oily grease and clean contaminated areas. They must be cleaned before applying lubricant. Otherwise, all your efforts will be in vain. Abrasive particles with a new portion of lubricant will harm the hinges even more actively. After lubrication, the door leaf must be hung in place.

Prevention

As soon as you get rid of the squeak in one place, it is worth lubricating the remaining door hinges of all entrance and interior doors before they also begin to make characteristic sounds. This will serve as a good preventive measure - it will help avoid unwanted repairs, or even complete replacement of fittings.

In addition to lubricating door hinges, it is recommended to regularly check and tighten the fastening screws, as well as monitor the air humidity in the house, avoiding excessive dampness.