Graphite not being sold by Advance Auto

[jfaberna]

I was in Advanced Auto looking for some lock lube and my preference was a Silicon based product. I mentioned I didn't see any graphite and the sales person said that they don't sell it anymore because thieves can overload the lock with graphic and use any tooth pattern key to open the lock. I'd never heard this, but for a national chain to pull a product it must be true.

[K0LCB]

I saw a video once where the guy used a lead pencil, a sheet of sandpaper and a a small screwdriver to un lock a car door. He sanded the pencil lead, applied the lead shavings to the door lock, used small screwdriver to unlock the door. I never tried it, I figured the lead would gum up the lock

[WeBeFulltime]

Isn't the "lead" in a pencil now actually graphite?

[jsmitfl]

You can get graphite at the hobby store if you need it. I use it on my rifles for lube when we are hunting out west. The regular gun oil will gum up and get stiff. Thanks

[Ramblin Roadrunners]

Yes the lead in pencils is graphite. Graphite is also made when bearings fail in axles and other moving parts where you have metal grinding itself up.

[Art-n-Marge]

I'd just go shop somewhere else for the graphite you need. I've seen locks opened with a fabricated piece of aluminum can cut to the right size, but I haven't seen stores stop selling soda or beer in aluminum cans because of it. A store is allowed to sell or not sell what they want. I'd only mentally thank them for educating you about this possibility of an innocent substance used for no good, but it hasn't stopped stores from selling bolt cutters that cut locks either.

Maybe Advance Auto was involved in litigation about this and it's why they now have the salty taste in their mouth about graphite. We'll never know the reason, however if it's a product you want, you can always go elsewhere. Graphite, aluminum cans, guns, bullets, whatever. When it comes to wrongdoers, they'll use anything they want. If a store learns about it and stops selling it, the best we can do is find out why and go on.

[jfaberna]

Since I don't use Graphite in my lock, it's really not an issue for me, just an interesting comment from the Advanced Auto sales person. I have found that Silicon spray works best for me on all locks. It last a long time and will not gum up or stain anything around the lock. I'm sure if someone tries to pick my lock with any method, one of the 20 video cameras in the storage lot will get a nice picture of him