How To Remove A Broken Key?
While the issue of having a broken key stuck in the lock is not too frequent, you can only pray to God that it doesn’t happen to you! Issues like this arise only when they are least expected and you are in a hurry. In most cases, broken keys get stuck in the locks because of silly human errors. We tend to use a lot of force while opening or closing the locks, resulting in issues like this. It can also be caused if the locks are old and require some maintenance.
Whatever the reason may be, it is important to get the key out as soon as possible once it is stuck inside a lock. Many people make the mistake of panicking and calling a professional right away. Unless you can resolve such issues by yourself, there is no need to waste your time and money in seeking professional help.
If you want to get your remove a broken key without facing any hassles and delays, all you need to do is get yourself a can of WD-40 Multi Use Product. The liquid acts as a great lubricant and helps you loosen the grip of the key while it is inside the lock. If used well, you can have your broken key removed within a few minutes.
Here are some simple steps to follow for removing a broken key without getting a professional involved:
Things you will need
Screwdriver
A clean rag
Ice
Step 1
Turn The Barrel Of The Lock
Before doing anything else, make sure that the barrel of the lock is aligned in the right position. If not, use a screwdriver to turn it and bring it to the open or closed position. It would be extremely difficult to remove the key if the lock is in any other position, even if it is not stuck. However, while you turn the barrel of the lock, make sure you don’t end up pushing the broken key further into it to make matters worse!
Step 2
Lubricate The Lock With WD-40
Once you have aligned the barrel of the lock properly, you can go ahead with lubricating the lock using WD-40. Get a can of WD-40 Multi Use Product and spray it gently into the lock. Let the liquid sit for some time as it works its magic on the lock. WD-40 comes with a smart straw that makes it easier for you to penetrate the hole of the lock and spray the liquid effectively. Make sure you keep a clean rag with you to deal with the excess liquid spilling out of the lock.
Step 3
Wiggle The Key Up And Down
After spraying WD-40 inside the lock and lubricating it, you can start making attempts to get the broken key out. Without using a lot of force, all you need to do is wiggle the key up and down while trying to pull it out from the lock. If the lock has been lubricated well, it would not take the key too long to come out. The liquid would make the insides of your lock smooth, allowing the broken key to come out without getting stuck.
If you are not able to get the key out in the first attempt, you can spray the liquid again, wait for a few minutes, and repeat the process until you have your keys removed. Ideally, you should be able to remove the key without using a lot of time and effort.
Step 4
Use Some Ice To Give A Finishing Touch
If the broken key is very notorious and does not come out of the lock easily, you can bring some ice to the rescue. Applying ice to your keys allows the metal to contract. This, along with the lubrication provided by WD-40 would help you get your broken key out in a hassle-free manner. Once the key is out, make sure you clean the lock with WD-40 to prevent such issues from arising in the future.
Final Word
These were the simple steps you can follow to remove a broken key from a lock with the help of WD-40. The product can be used for resolving a range of other household issues, right from removing rust from metal tools to lubricating the hinges of your doors.
Disclaimer
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
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