430 Key Restoration 2.1 - Tricolore

Being pleased with the results of the second attempt at restoring one of my Keys (F430 Key Restoration - #17) I thought I'd try something a little more adventurous for the other - spare -Key.

Again using Zero Paints products (primer, base coat & lacquer). They rather conveniently do a Tricolore Set consisting of the correct shades of Green, White & Red.

Philippine Green
Anti-Flash Wite
Fire Engine Red

As before I followed the Zero Paints instructions to the letter which gives a lovely even finish, almost to the point it doesn't need polishing.

However as before, if you're going to do a job properly..........
I flatted the three parts back with 5000 grit and two stage polished them using my Rupes Nano, first with Meguiars M105 then finishing with M205.
Lastly I applied some Meguiars ultimate liquid wax and buffed to finish.

And here are the results.........................and now my #1 Key !

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

And the finished pair together

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Thank you kindly gents

 

Exactly !
Not to mention just about any kind of key ring having the sole purpose of key destruction too.

Another idea is forming...........

 

Close to a solution - or I know what I want to achieve - just need to make it workable and easy to use.

 

Don't worry Bob, that will never see a key chain

 

Solution found - KGC & Bob

Pretty much every keyring (fob) you buy these days has one thing in common - the metal ring - which it's seemingly single purpose in life is to completely trash our lovely keys.
Way back when keys were nothing more than a piece of metal, with maybe a black plastic part, the metal keyring were just fine. However these days, and most definitely in the last 15 years, our keys have become more decorative but the good old key ring has remained the same, despite the fact most are leather the ring itself ends up causing unsightly damage.

It is worth noting now that what follows next is of no use if your keyring is all metal, this is only really applicable to leather versions.

After a bit of head scratching this is what I came up with.

First question is, does the ring need to be metal ?
Well actually no, it does not. I imagine most of use only keep the one key - the important one - on said keyring, and you're certainly not going to rappel down a zip line hanging off your key (unless you're possessed by madness !).

So what to use that is both sufficiently strong enough to secure the key to the keyring, but compliment enough so as not damage the key ?
The solution - as you will see in the attached images - was to use the following items:

Rubber (nitrile)or Silicone O-Rings
Paracord
Bayonet End Clasp

The End Clasp needs to be sufficiently large enough in outside diameter so as not to flop around in the end of the leather fob, yet able to pas through the hole in the key.
The ideal size was to take 4mm cord, which meant the outside diameter was 5mm, and thus able to pass through the hole in the key.

The rubber cord - in this case a suitably sized 4mm cross section O-ring - was then bonded in the End Clasps.

Hey presto ! Version 1 successfully made.

However a Black Rubber O-Ring is a little bland, so I tried something else.

I had some 4mm Paracord, and one thing you can do with this stuff is pull the inside cord out so you are left with sheath.
I then used a 3mm cross section O-Ring and passed inside the Paracord outer sheath.

Then as with the Version 1 I bonded the End Clasps on to the ends.

Much better, and a little more decorative.
And of course Paracord comes in many different colours !


So what about strength and integrity ?
I've tugged just about as hard as you want to on the ends and they have not come adrift.
And to be honest how much force do you realistically need to apply to your keyring. It's as secure as it needs be and does not come apart on it's own.

And most importantly - no damage to the Key !


Anyway, the following pics are the fruits of my labour.

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Thank you
Just gauging reaction and feedback before taking it further.......

 

Thank you kindly Bob