Getting Closure

Just about everyone experiences issues with latches on their compartment and entry doors. Exposure to the outdoor elements — and, of course, repetitive use — can create “sticky” situations whereby the doors won’t close properly without a lot of prodding…and we all know that can lead to latch and door damage. Fortunately, the fix is about as simple as it gets — but it’s important to use the right lubricants.

Most people reach for WD-40 (or a similar product) for toning down squeaks and smoothing out friction between metal parts like a bolt and striker plate, but lubricants like this can attract dirt and dust and can be on the messy side. Fortunately, there are a number of products for this purpose, including a silicone-based liquid or gel or even a dry lube, which will restore function while resisting a build-up of crud. Sil-Glyde Multipurpose Lubricant ($17.97 at Amazon) is a gel that can be applied easily to the bolt and strike plate, which instantly restores smooth action. This lubricant “sticks” to the metal parts without running down the sides and creating a need to clean up the surrounding area, while providing necessary lubrication for a fairly long time (depending on the elements); we usually reapply on a monthly basis.

A thin layer of gel is applied with your finger and worked around the bolt — over-applying the gel is not necessary, nor practical. Instantly, the entry door and exterior compartment slam latches will seat with virtually no effort.

A liquid silicone lubricant that flows much like light oil can also be used, but we found repeated applications were necessary since it runs off the bolt surface.

Another product that works well and can be found on Amazon ($9.99) or in hardware/auto parts stores is Blaster Dry Lube with Teflon.

This dry lube does a good job of lubricating the surfaces and provides instant results, but it’s necessary to clean the white residue off adjacent areas (which is no big deal). The Blaster Dry Lube works well on hinges that squeak while opening and closing the door. We subsequently found the two products to be a winning combination on compartment door slam latches — the surface of the bolt is coated with Sil-Glyde and the inside mechanism is treated with a shot of Blaster using the tiny straw that comes with the aerosol can.