[Leoshashi]

Originally Posted by Leoshashi

6. Keys-The piano black/glass like finish is a scratch magnet:

This is an issue which I'm sure many owners face. It's a common complaint in cars like Baleno, Ignis, XL6, Ertiga etc which get glossy surface. The keys are thrown around in Yard, PDI section, showroom etc before it's handed over to the owner. It actually comes with a protective layer from factory, but it usually gets misplaced. This is the condition people get keys in:

Pic from some FB group(this car was delivered yesterday):

Keys of a friend's brand new Ignis:

Thankfully in my case, the car remained in PDI for very short time, and I had wrapped the keys crudely to avoid any more damage in their possession. Still, they had minor swirls.

To avoid any damage in daily use, I was using a Sony pouch.

However I was warned of dire consequences by my friends if I don't throw away that pouch. Hence I ended up buying some flashy looking NEXA Leather case.

The case of minor swirls was always on my mind, and I wanted to try something. The area was so tiny that even tiny polishing machines with small backing plates would have been too large for it.

I have a damaged finishing pad, and decided to use it for the purpose. I used a very fine Polish for the job, locked the switch at medium speeds, and held the key against the rotating pad. Be very careful since it can throw the key away if you are holding it lightly. I also kept rotating the key with my fingers, since that would ensure proper and even cutting from all directions.

After polishing, I had to remove the polish remains from the tiny grooves, was easily done with a soft bristle brush. Wiped it clean with IPA, and coated the shiny surface with Ceramic Coating. I had a bit of ceramic liquid left after my DIY on XL6(DIY post coming soon).

Results, one on the left is untreated. The piano finish isn't completely smooth and has dashboard plastic like texture on top. Still looks way better compared to scratched up fob:

I intend to buy a sober looking case once the NEXA one wears a bit. Looks like it was designed by Ranveer Singh himself.

Regards,
Shashi

[gthang]

Originally Posted by Leoshashi

I intend to buy a sober looking case once the NEXA one wears a bit. Looks like it was designed by Ranveer Singh himself.

Regards,
Shashi

Been using these from Flipkart:
https://dl.flipkart.com/dl/h-s-desig...oduct.share.pp

Black silicone and discreet.

Cheers

[Aditya]

Solution for scratched keys of Maruti cars - Posts copied to a new thread.

[self_driven]

Ceramic coating on key fobs? I knew only Shashi could do this.

Jokes apart, I agree that these shiny black fobs are a pain to maintain. The older design on early Ciaz and Baleno models was much more hard-wearing and better looking in comparison:

[Maverick5490]

The easiest and long-lasting solution will be a silicon cover:

[IndigoXLGrandDi]

Even I bought the silicone cover for the 2nd Remote Key of our Xylo as the 1st Remote Key's Button Rubbers were damaged due to finger nails and water ingress had occurred.
May be it has been 7-8 years, I am using it.

[abhi9044]

Awesome post Shashi bhaiya. By the way, can this method be used on the older keys as well? Like the one here? I think it's hard plastic here.

[gthang]

Originally Posted by IndigoXLGrandDi

Even I bought the silicone cover for the 2nd Remote Key of our Xylo as the 1st Remote Key's Button Rubbers were damaged due to finger nails and water ingress had occurred.
May be it has been 7-8 years, I am using it.

Originally Posted by abhi9044

Awesome post Shashi bhaiya. By the way, can this method be used on the older keys as well? Like the one here? I think it's hard plastic here.

You can replace damaged/worn key fobs by buying a new shell. Just search on Amazon for your brand key shell.

Just swap the innards with new shell and get the blank key cut at your local locksmith.

If equipped with immobilizer chip, be sure to transfer the same when you switch.

Cheers

[Leoshashi]

Originally Posted by gthang

Been using these from Flipkart:

Black silicone and discreet.

Originally Posted by Maverick5490

The easiest and long-lasting solution will be a silicon cover:

Thanks a lot for the suggestions. Actually this thread was more about solving the issue of Swirls, but I'm grateful for the suggestions regarding protection. Before I got my car, I had these Silicon cases in mind. But I found my own reasons of avoiding them:

1. The Cutout Suzuki Logo is not properly aligned in most of the covers I saw.





2. The Cutout doesn't protect the exposed shiny part from dust and swirls. So purpose is defeated.

3. I faced dust accumulation around edges. That used to look equally bad.

4. Maruti recently launched some key covers. But again, they do nothing to protect the shiny part against Swirls. So my best bet is leather casing.

Originally Posted by abhi9044

Awesome post Shashi bhaiya. By the way, can this method be used on the older keys as well? Like the one here? I think it's hard plastic here.

No polishing won't work. But see if this helps your case:

Link1

Link2

Originally Posted by self_driven

Jokes apart, I agree that these shiny black fobs are a pain to maintain. The older design on early Ciaz and Baleno models was much more hard-wearing and better looking in comparison

I agree. And I'll surely explore the possibilities of switching over to the Oval one.

Regards,
Shashi

[viXit]

I was planning to do this for my Honda City's key, Just yesterday I threw a tantrum and mad a big scene about how the car keys are dumped with all the other keys of the house, the sharp metal ones. And how it's causing scratches. It's truly painful. We have adopted a neater key holder solution for now.

I was worried about the rubbing having an adverse effect on the non glossy part of the key.key looks like this. I have the exact same one.

Originally Posted by fordfreak

I ordered a rubber cover for the key-fob since to keep it in good condition. The shiny surface gets scratched very easily and is not of good quality.

The attached picture is of the spare key which has never been used. Both keys looked like this when I took delivery of the car. The official t-bhp review also pointed out this exact issue. Will post a picture of the cover later.

[GT Racer]

Great post shashi, taking it to the next level. Actually this will also be a crude & beater test for your ceramic coating if it can resist scratches here. The paint on your prized possession XL6 is in secure hands. Seriously, it tells us about the whole dealer handover experience too, how much they care for these things.

[G.Harry]

You could try a vinyl wrap. Will look great while protecting from scratches. I did the same for the piano black console which is impossible to maintain.

[gopaneel]

I have been wondering about the key fob getting scratched as well. Would it be possible when I get some PPF done on the car, to stick some on the glossy keyfob as well? Apologies if it's a stupid question

[itwasntme]

Lost my temper seeing the "brand new" keys of our XL6. Have escalated and awaiting a revert from them.