How to Clean Black Diamond Carabiners and Sticky Gates

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Remove the carabiner from the climbing system

Take the carabiner out of service and remove any quickdraw sling or accessory only when the product instructions permit. Work where it cannot be confused with inspected ready-to-use gear. Record why it is being cleaned: grit, salt, a sticky gate or unknown storage. Never clean load-bearing hardware while it remains part of an anchor. If its history includes a severe fall, fire, battery acid, fuel or other aggressive chemical, quarantine it for retirement evaluation instead of washing away evidence.

Step 2: Inspect before adding water

Look along the body, nose, gate, hinge, rivet and locking sleeve. Black Diamond lists poor gate action, significant rope-bearing wear, deformation, deep nicks, extreme heat and serious corrosion or chemical exposure as retirement reasons. Normal anodization wear is different from a sharp groove. Open and release the gate several times without forcing it. Photograph questionable damage. Cleaning is appropriate for dirt-related action, not for reshaping a bent nose or filing a worn rope surface.

Step 3: Rinse and brush grit from the gate

Use warm fresh water and mild soap to loosen ordinary dirt and salt. Cycle the gate under controlled water while a soft brush moves debris outward from the hinge, nose and locking sleeve. Do not use acids, bleach, solvents, wire brushes or ultrasonic cleaning without explicit approval. Keep textile slings out of a metal-hardware bath unless their own instructions permit it. A pressure nozzle can drive grit deeper; gentle flow and repeated movement provide better control.

Step 4: Rinse away all soap and particles

Use clean water while opening and closing the gate and rotating a locking sleeve. Continue until no soap remains and action no longer releases visible grit. Do not probe the hinge with a needle or disassemble gate rivets. If the gate still drags, inspect again for deformation or corrosion before considering lubricant. Lubricant placed over retained sand creates an abrasive paste and can hide rather than resolve the problem.

Step 5: Dry the hinge and locking mechanism

Shake off water and wipe the body with a lint-free cloth. Let the carabiner dry completely with the gate oriented so moisture can leave the hinge. Do not bake, torch or place it on extreme heat; Black Diamond identifies extreme heat as a retirement concern. Avoid oil-laden compressed shop air that can introduce contaminants. Confirm the locking sleeve and spring return operate dry before the smallest amount of compatible lubricant is considered.

Step 6: Lubricate only the moving metal joint

Apply a tiny amount of an appropriate dry or manufacturer-approved lubricant at the hinge and locking mechanism, then cycle the gate to distribute it. Wipe away every visible excess, especially from rope-bearing surfaces and any area that could touch a textile sling. Do not use grease as a dirt-catching coating or spray the whole carabiner. If clean lubrication does not restore positive closure and lock action, Black Diamond says to retire it.

Step 7: Perform the final gate and retirement check

Open the gate fully, release it from several positions and confirm prompt complete closure. Operate screwgate or automatic locks through every action and inspect the nose engagement. Check again for sharp wear and residue. Mark and destroy retired hardware so it cannot return to life-safety use. Return a cleaned carabiner only after it passes the manufacturer’s inspection criteria; a shiny body does not compensate for uncertain history or a weak gate spring.