Locked Roof Boxes, Engraved Hip Flasks and Water-Damaged Keys

12th July 2019

It’s been another great week for Keyishoes…

We’ve been working hard and are excited to update you on our most recent jobs…

This week, we helped out our client whose Fiat Ducato Motorhome key stopped working after it went through the wash.

We disassembled the remote key, dried and cleaned it with a specialist PCB cleaner and cleaned its rusty battery contacts. The entire key was then reassembled and a new battery was fitted, all for £50.

Now with a newly working key, our client saved themselves approximately £400 it would have cost them to have a new key made by Fiat.

Our client’s situation is one many of us are surely familiar with. To help you know what to do if this ever happens to you or someone you know, we are providing you with some helpful information and advice:

1. Don’t Use Washed Keys

Sometimes, remote keys go through the wash and stay working unexpectedly. However, they do eventually break down and give up, so don’t be fooled!

Although your keys may continue working, the battery will start draining rapidly and deteriorate. Plus, the current flow will speed up the corrosion process, and in extreme cases, this can cause the battery to leak. Severe corrosion can even damage components on the circuit board, creating open circuits and impairing the key’s performance. With that said, we strongly advise you not to use washed keys, even if they seem to be working fine!

The longer you wait, the more likely it can’t be fixed, so if your remote keys have been through the wash, carefully remove the battery (if you know how) and take it to an expert as soon as possible.

2. Seek an Expert

Online forums will often provide poor advice, but I’m afraid dry rice and hairdryers aren’t the best solution for water-damaged keys!

If you can, always try to open up your remote key to remove the battery as soon as possible – although it’s not always possible to open them, as many keys have sealed units nowadays. If you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s always best to leave the job to the experts.

Our advice to you is to go to an automotive locksmith, where you can talk to a professional who will know exactly how to help you. This will save you an enormous amount of money, especially when car dealers only offer you a new key!

If you’re looking to have a remote key fixed, you know where we are!

What else have we been up to?

Smart Intelligent Access Key

The 2018 Ford Focus ST uses a new intelligent (smart) key with the newest style emergency blade.

It was the latest model we’ve seen for a new smart key, but we had the software and specialist adapters to cut it with genuine Ford parts.

Altogether, we supplied and coded the key at roughly 50% of main dealer prices.

Locked Roof Box Key

Our client arrived first thing in the morning, asking us to urgently cut a key for their locked roof box which was full of luggage. Within 5 minutes, we cut their key to code so they could easily access their luggage again and be back on their travels.

At Keyishoes, we offer a comprehensive key cutting service, covering Cylinder (Yale type) and Mortice (Skeleton type) keys, as well as keys for cars and vans including the Ford Tibbe type and modern laser keys.

Hip Flask Engraving

This week, a customer came into the shop with a hip flask and a sheet of paper signed by staff.

With our computerised engraving equipment, we were able to engrave the staff’s signatures onto the flask as a lovely leaving present – what a fantastic idea!

At Keyishoes, we offer a prompt turnaround for engraving trophy cups, shields, tankards, plaques and salvers – we also provide services to those who want unique gift engraving…

Keys for Hidden River Cabins

Spare keys are easy to have made at Keyishoes and can be a lifesaver if you ever find yourself in a desperate situation.

This week, we made a master set of spare keys for our client at Hidden River Cabins.

If you are looking for a fail-safe system for managing keys for your business, we also sell a handy Key Tracker which is popular amongst car dealerships, property management and hotel businesses.

What Our Customers Say About Us…

Just had my car keys sorted out for a great price and excellent service, would highly recommend and will never go anywhere else.

Jon

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