Sticky Brompton top tube hinge

[alves]

I have a 6 month old Brompton which I use to commute to work and it's really suffering in this winter salty black slurry which builds up on the roads at this time of year (in Scotland anway).
The top tube hinge is getting quite stiff to fold and unfold and has improved with a little light oil put onto the top of the hinge pin.
Any other ideas and is this a common problem?

[rogerzilla]

Mine never even goes out in the rain 

Keep oiling it, I'd say.  Anyway, a stiff hinge is better than a sloppy hinge, which means the end of the frame (not that that's a disaster - new ones are as little as £185 if you don't mind a nasty colour, which is a darn sight cheaper than a whole new Brommie).