# Protecting your keys from wear **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [June 23, 2008, 7:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/protecting-your-keys-from-wear/15743 "2008-06-23T19:04:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 7:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/protecting-your-keys-from-wear/15743/1 "2008-06-23T19:04:28Z")
The rubber cover on one of my keys has worn through. One of the buttins underneath has already fallen out. I’ve been unable to find any type of key cover. A replacement keys costs a bundle. So, I came up with the idea of picking up some small zip lock bags, typically used by coin and stamp collectors, and putting it over the end of the key, with a hole for the hey’s functional end and the zip lock end toward the keyring. I’m putting one over the spare key too. Since this is apparently a common problem with the new keys and they’re so expensive to replace, I thought I’d pass the idea on. ---
**Author:** ![Roadrunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@Roadrunner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Roadrunner)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 7:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/protecting-your-keys-from-wear/15743/2 "2008-06-23T19:26:32Z")
Duct tape? No? How about winding electricians’ tape around it? ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 7:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/protecting-your-keys-from-wear/15743/3 "2008-06-23T19:34:11Z")
Too gooey. I thought the nice part about my solution is the lack of adhesive and the ability to readily change the battery. I wonder why nobody makes slip on rubber key covers for modern car keys. Perhaps I should contact a patent attorney… ---
**Author:** ![Beadsandbeads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@Beadsandbeads](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beadsandbeads)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 1:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/protecting-your-keys-from-wear/15743/4 "2008-06-24T01:49:03Z")
Your keys have buttons? What do the buttons do? ---
**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 1:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/protecting-your-keys-from-wear/15743/5 "2008-06-24T01:53:11Z")
It’s a portable device similar to the buttons on the Mach 5 steering wheel. One engages the sawblades, another makes the car jump, and other engages underwater mode… ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 7:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/protecting-your-keys-from-wear/15743/6 "2008-06-24T19:56:28Z")
One unlocks the door, another locks the door, another activates the intruder alert system, and the forth fires the ejection seat. By the way, I checked this morning how much it would cost me just for an unprogrammed blank, the parts of which I could use to replace the worn out parts of mine…$109! Uncut and un programmed! ---
**Author:** ![Beadsandbeads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@Beadsandbeads](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beadsandbeads)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 11:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/protecting-your-keys-from-wear/15743/7 "2008-06-24T23:49:08Z")
So it is like a key fob control, but the key and controls are built into one unit? I have seen replacement cases for the fob-type controls for sale on line. I have never noticed any for whole keys. What would happen if you dipped the whole thing in some of that stuff used to coat tool handles? Before you ask, I am not willing to experiment with mine. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 7:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/protecting-your-keys-from-wear/15743/8 "2008-06-25T19:47:00Z")
Yup, the fob is built into the head of the key. I thought of that too. I’ve used that stuff on tool handles and it really isn’t as flexible as I think it needs to be. I also didn’t want to seal the shell halves together such that I’d be unable to change the battery. I though of coating it with a room temp vulcanizing silicone silastic too. I may ultimately do that. I haven’t decided yet. ---
**Author:** ![Beadsandbeads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@Beadsandbeads](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beadsandbeads)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2008, 12:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/protecting-your-keys-from-wear/15743/9 "2008-06-26T00:07:37Z")
I think that is what I was really thinking of. I just could not remember Sylgard yesterday. I used to have use for it in the lab a long time ago. ---
**Author:** ![JayWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@JayWB](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JayWB)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2008, 12:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/protecting-your-keys-from-wear/15743/10 "2008-06-26T00:50:33Z")
How old is the car? Maybe it’s a warranty claim. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2008, 6:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/protecting-your-keys-from-wear/15743/11 "2008-06-26T18:03:36Z")
85,000 miles. Naw, the rubber is just worn down. Eventually, when both provided keys get worn down to where the buttons fall out, I’ll get new keys. Meanwhile, if I can delay that expendature by protecting the head of the key I will. Perhaps in the interim someone will come up with an aftermarket slide-on key cover for these types of keys.