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I have a padlock for my outdoor bike shed. In two years I've got through 2 of them. It is of the type pictured.

padlock

They have both jammed in different ways, but ultimately I need something that survives all weathers better.

What can you recommend for a UK based user, Convenience is key. Especially, since the shed is opened and closed at least 4 times a day!

The shed can be found here: https://www.shedstore.co.uk/6x3-trimetals-metal-bike-shed-anthracite

And the locking setup is like so (the silver bar swings up for the shed to open)

Trimetals Bike locking point

Final solution

Resorted to cutting a plastic bottle to cover the lock, and it works brilliantly, don't know why it took all the suggestions to do it!

bottle used as lock cover

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  • Can you exclude that they jammed because someone poured/sprayed some chemical on them?
    – EarlGrey
    Commented Aug 31, 2021 at 11:14
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    Yep, Unless someone has been sneaking around my back garden!
    – EdL
    Commented Aug 31, 2021 at 11:20
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    I don't have a specific product recommendation especially since it's not clear where in the world you are located, but there are any number of OUTDOOR/WEATHER RESISTANT padlocks on the market. One type that I know stands up to weather well are the kinds that many self-storage facilities use.
    – jwh20
    Commented Aug 31, 2021 at 12:58
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    What's the connection with bicycles? Just that there are bikes in this shed? This question may be on topic for DIY.SE, or great outdoors, or lifehacks.
    – Criggie ♦
    Commented Aug 31, 2021 at 13:20
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    My thinking is that if they are hard working enough to learn lock picking, the risk reward balance swings firmly on the side of: just earning money as a locksmith for people who have locked themselves out of their xyz
    – EdL
    Commented Sep 13, 2021 at 9:00

1 Answer 1

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I would recommend to take at least one of these three steps:

  • buy a pricier padlock, with some warranty on its being weatherproof;
  • make a little bit of cover from rain (i.e. a make-shift protecion from water dripping directly on the lock);
  • every 6 months, spray it with wd40 (remove water, dust,crust, rust) and then proceed with lightly greasing (6 months intervals?) the moving parts. I'd put some light grease also with the key, but then you will have a greasy key, and it can be annoying (unless you have a small piece of cloth tucked under the rain cover above mentioned.

Regarding your comment, I found a tutorial on youtube from someone having the same issue. According to the author's comment, written 4 years after uploading the video, it works.

EDIT:

after seeing the shed, it is clear that the lock has only casual deterrence value. The anchoring of the lock on the shed (the fixed "L" with the hole) would not stand a moderate force (for example a bike stand used as a leverage, pivoting on the arm of the shed itself).

Ignore my previous suggestions, Buy the cheapest combination bike lock that can go through the hole. The lighter, the crappier ---> the better: plastic and aluminium don't rust.

And don't forget to lock your bike(s) inside the shed, too.

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  • I already did the 6 monthly greasing and crud removal but they still failed! What should I be searching for to buy a "cover" from the rain. Padlock shelter and padlock cover didn't really yield much!
    – EdL
    Commented Aug 31, 2021 at 11:29
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    nothing fancy static2.bigstockphoto.com/8/7/3/large1500/378666184.jpg or image.shutterstock.com/image-photo/…
    – EarlGrey
    Commented Aug 31, 2021 at 13:01
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    I don't have a workshop at my disposal, yet... , but the former of the "nothing fancy" looks pretty sufficient! I forgot to clarify that the shed is used several times a day, so the second image posted might be a bit annoying! Following the images you posted I found this too: eoceanic.com/sailing/tips/15/259/…
    – EdL
    Commented Aug 31, 2021 at 13:31
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    @EdL It's definitely possible to purchase a more survivable lock, depending on your budget: masterlocks.com/collections/weather-tough
    – DavidW
    Commented Aug 31, 2021 at 14:14
  • @EdL we have padlocks surviving on cave doors for years. They become covered with ice in winter (the caves breathe out warmer humid air), but they survive thanks to greasing. And they are quite ordinary ones, jist somewhat bigger than in your pictures. But it is true that they are on the inner side of the doors so no real rain on them.
    – Vladimir F Героям слава
    Commented Aug 31, 2021 at 16:02

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