Key Repair Tips From The Top In The Industry

How to Do a Broken Car Key Repair You're in a hurry to get to work and jam your keys into the ignition. You try turning the key however it locks. the lock. There are a few ways you can attempt to resolve the issue before calling a locksmith. Here are a few quick solutions. Super Glue. 1. Contact a locksmith One of the most devastating things that can happen to a car owner is a broken key inside a lock. This is especially frustrating when the driver is in a hurry to get somewhere, or to drop off the child. In this situation it is imperative to act fast to attempt to free the stuck key. A locksmith with experience is the best option as they will have the proper tools and know how to get rid of the keys broken without damaging the lock. Many people will look for something that is thin and rigid such as paperclips or toothpicks. But this isn't the best solution as they are too heavy to fit inside the lock. The best option is to use a pair tweezers. They are lightweight and can easily reach into the lock. They should be able to grasp the damaged part of a key, and then pull it out. If you don't own tweezers, it might be worth looking for a set available at auto parts stores. These are flat, narrow and have small hooks. They can be put into the keyhole and then grasp the broken piece of the key. Another option is to find a magnetic key hook that can stick to the metal inside the lock and pull it out. This is not always a good idea since it is possible for it to get caught under the lock and cause further damage to it. In such a situation, it is best to call an expert locksmith. Some people try to glue together the two pieces of a damaged car key using superglue in order to remove it from the lock. However, this is extremely risky since the pieces of metal may cling to each other and then break apart later. It is also crucial not to turn the key as this can cause further damage to the lock or ignition cylinder. It is recommended to contact a professional locksmith who will be ready to remove the damaged key and then make an immediate replacement. 2. Drill a hole Sometimes a key breaks inside the lock, and even if you have an extra key, you may not be in a position to gain access to your vehicle. In these cases drilling the lock is the best option. First, you need to make sure that the key hole is designed to accept a basic tumbler car key. If it isn't then you won't be able to drill out the pins without damaging the door and possibly damaging the lock mechanism. It is important to note that you will drill through the outer layer of plastic as well as an inner layer of metal. You can drill through these layers using a the smallest drill bit but you shouldn't go any further. Drilling too deep can cause damage to the wiring harness or cause the drill to snag. It is also recommended to wear a mask and protective gear while working with drilling. This will stop dust and dirt from getting into your lung. It's also a good idea, if the broken key piece is sticking out of the lock, to keep a pair pliers and tweezers in your bag. If the key is protruding enough to be able to be grasped with pliers and tweezers, this is enough to pull it out. If not, however you'll need to use tools like this one to insert the tool in the lock, and then turn it toward the key to grasp it and remove it from the hole. 3. Drill a nail You may be left in limbo in the event that you break your key in half. There are a number of options to fix the problem without the expense of an locksmith. The first option is to utilize a screw or nail. These can be found in your home or at a local hardware store. It is recommended to search for the nail that is as thin and as long as you can. This will allow you to fit it in the hole and then use epoxy to link the two parts together. Make sure that the back of the nails is flat. This will allow it to fit into the slot cut in the key. This will stop it from moving around and potentially breaking again in the future. 4. Super Glue Many car owners tend to make use of DIY techniques like using super glue attempt to fix a damaged car key, but this is a dangerous thing to do. You could end up damaging the lock and be forced to shell out more money to replace it. The first step is to take a look at the keys that have been damaged and ensure that they match each other in terms of size. This is crucial to ensure that all the pieces that have been glued are aligned correctly and that the key will fit in the lock after they've been joined. Then, using a piece of fine-grit paper or a metal filing, smooth out the edges of the broken pieces. This will help make the glue stick better and reduce the chances of a key becoming loose in the future. After polishing the edges After polishing the edges, apply a small amount (about an amount of pea-sized) of super glue on the other side. Only apply key fob repairs of super glue, since excessive amounts can make the key too large. It will then be difficult to fit into the lock. After lining up the two pieces of the broken key then press them together. After several seconds the glue will begin to set and bond the key fragments together. Another household item that can be used to help extract a broken car key is a paperclip or bobby pin that can be made into a pick-like tool and put into the lock. This method is particularly useful when the damage is close to or within the keyway or lock hole. A car key that has been damaged with electronic components will require an entirely new key from the locksmith or dealer. This is because the key needs to be programmed with a brand new code and the chip will need to be replaced. If the shell or metal part of the key fails, you will need to have a new cut. You don't have to reprogramme or replace the electronics.