Date:         Sat, 28 Oct 2000 11:23:32 -0700
Reply-To:     Kw <kokopellis@ATT.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kw <kokopellis@ATT.NET>
Subject:      Re: Keys, locks and Steve Sandlin the Locksmith Guy
Comments: To: JKrevnov@aol.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I was asked to share the door lock cylinder washing technique that Steve
coached me on.

0. Order new door handle seals now, so you will have them when its time
to re-install.  I got mine from GoWesty.com.

1. First remove the door handles from the door.  Do this by finding the
one screw along the doors rear edge just behind the door handle under
the door rubber weather strip. Unscrew this screw and pull the handle
backwards.  The rear of the handle should peal away from the door and
then it removes easily.  The front part of the handle is a tab that
inserts into slot B.

2. Hold handle over a bucket or some other pan to catch solvent.  Squirt
Gum-Out or your favorite degreaser into the cylinder hole using the
little red plastic tube that comes with the degreaser.  Insert the key
and work it around.  Keep doing this until the solvent flows clear.  You
can spray it though the back also where you see the square end of the
cylinder. Do this while working the key to loosen and remove grime and
dirt.  Spray some more., work it, spray, etc.  Keep spraying until you
feel it is clean

3. Then spray in some type of lubricant.  Steve recommended TriFlow
which I used since I already had it.  Work the keys inside while
lubricating.

4.  NOTE:  Some degreasers may eat the door handle paint.  I repainted
my door handles while I had them off. Now they work well and look great.

Re-install is the reverse of removal.  Be careful not to damage the door
handle seals when installing them.  I crushed one of mine.

I only did my door handles, the slider was done when it was re-keyed,
the rear hatch was not done.

Good luck,
Any questions give me a shout.
Ken Wyatt

<< Steve also coached me on how to clean the cylinders which had 20
years of grime built up.  >>
Ken,
Could you share this tidbit with the Great Unwashed?