The Garden Gate Fix That'll Keep It Swinging Smoothly (And It's Not WD-40)

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If you own a home with a backyard and a garden gate, at some point, you'll find that the gate starts fighting back. The hinges rust, the metal seizes up, and closing it becomes more challenging — you're in need of lubricant. Like most of us, you're probably used to using WD-40 around your home for such tasks. However, there's another option available that won't drip down your gate's hinges. It's called graphite-based dry lubricant — and yes, it's actually derived from graphite, both natural and synthetic. 

Commonly used on industrial machinery, one of its main benefits is its water-repelling, non-greasy, spray-powder formula that keeps metal parts running smoother. It does this without the mess typically included in oil-based or silicone lubricants, and the dry formula won't attract or trap dust and grime. Graphite lubricant is also able to withstand high pressure and temperatures up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. Like other common lubricants, it comes in an aerosol can or squeeze tube, and its application involves simply spraying or applying the lubricant onto a dry surface. 

Afterward, it leaves behind a lubricating layer of black, crystalline carbon powder that won't become caked with gunk. So instead of wrestling with that rusted backyard gate that you have to wrangle shut, try adding a coat of graphite lubricant to the hinges and get them swinging smoothly again — a task helpful to add to your maintenance list the next time you spring clean your home. It's available in most hardware stores, including Ace Hardware, Menards, and Home Depot, starting around $7. You can also find it on Amazon for around the same price. For example, the Hillman 703185 Graphite Tube 3G is available for $7 at the time of writing.

More often than not, rust, corrosion, and debris are the culprits that cause outdoor gates to stick and become harder to open and close. So before you spray your graphite dry lubricant, it helps to take a wire brush or dry cloth and rub it over the gate's hinges to remove any loose rust that may be hindering the hinges. It'll also get rid of any debris or dirt that could be caught between the crevices, and a clean surface makes all the difference in how long the fix lasts. 

Next, grab your spray bottle, shake it up and apply a light, even coat directly into the pins and hinges where the metal rubs together. You don't need to soak it with spray, just spray enough to adequately cover the parts. If you're using a tube-based powder, squeeze a small amount directly onto the same spots and rub it onto these areas with your fingers or a small brush, such as a toothbrush. If using your fingers, be sure to put on a pair of gloves first. Then, swing the gate back and forth a handful of times to help work the lubricant deeper into the parts. 

Reapply the lubricant to any areas that are still squeaking. Once all the parts are lubricated and squeak-free, wipe away any excess powder with a dry cloth so it doesn't end up on your hands or your clothes the next time you walk through. After trying it out once or twice, you may find that graphite dry lubricant is a product worth keeping on deck, right along with a handful of other items that you can use to fix things around the house on the cheap.