Protecting a stainless steel key tag

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neb

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#223966 26-Oct-2017 11:56

I have some elderly relatives whose keyrings have engraved stainless steel tags with address and a contact number on them, for Just In Case cases. However, they're being badly mauled by being attached to keyrings, which is otherwise the ideal place to put them because they'll always carry them when they're out. The obvious solution is some sort of hard coating, but I'm not sure what would work best, it has to be resistant to scratching so the engraving details can be read through it, but also protect the tag from damage by the keys around it.

Does anyone have any suggestions, preferably not too expensive since I only need a cover a few square cm of material? I've got some conformal coating, but I don't know how wear-resistant that is, and then there's an endless variety of clear cover paints, e.g. Mitre10's Home Projects Enamel Satin Clear for $8 which is presumably some OEM brand for which I can't find any details apart from "conveniently sized for small projects". Beyond that there's stuff like PlastiKote Clear which is "Hard-wearing" and "Scratch-resistant", but at that point I'm gambling $15-20 a pop on one of the things I try being appropriate.

Which is why I'm asking here...

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#1889785 26-Oct-2017 12:03

Why not switch to those little plastic ones you can get from any lock/key place?

Just print off the details and insert them in.

Or you could try a leather (try one of those people who fix shoes/belts/horse gear etc).

Image result for plastic key ring

neb

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#1889786 26-Oct-2017 12:05

The stainless steel ones have some sentimental value. Replacing them with something else isn't really an option.

neb

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#1889827 26-Oct-2017 13:52

I'm actually tempted to get some of this stuff just for the novelty value. I'll have to get several tins of baked beans to aid in the drying process though.

hsvhel

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#1890850 26-Oct-2017 15:31

Can you spray them with clear coat?

A few hardened layers , once they get bad they can be knocked back and re-sprayed?

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graemeh

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#1890869 26-Oct-2017 15:47

hsvhel:

Can you spray them with clear coat?

A few hardened layers , once they get bad they can be knocked back and re-sprayed?

Bunnings has a 2K clear coat from Dulux. It comes in a special spray can that has a tag to pull for activation. You then have 24 hrs to use the contents of the can.

It is much tougher than the acrylic clear coats available (if you want to try clear coat).

neb

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#1890873 26-Oct-2017 16:05

graemeh:
Bunnings has a 2K clear coat from Dulux. It comes in a special spray can that has a tag to pull for activation. You then have 24 hrs to use the contents of the can.

It is much tougher than the acrylic clear coats available (if you want to try clear coat).

Hmm, interesting, thanks! So it pre-mixes the hardener as you spray. I was leaning towards some sort of two-component epoxy type solution like POR 15, but they tend to be pretty pricey. Unfortunately the Dulux one is pricey too, and once it's activated you have to use it fairly quickly. Another option was ProtectaClear, which is storable, but you have to order it from overseas and it then costs about the same as the Dulux with shipping.

The automotive protection area seems to be the most promising though.

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BruceHamilton

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#1890875 26-Oct-2017 16:10

A couple of options. Just push the stainless steel tag into a bit of thin clear plastic tubing. Alternatively, put the tag into the plastic holders shown earlier in this thread.

Re-engrave the stainless steel and put some white paint in the engraved section to highlight it. Then encase in clear plastic. Our cats Dremel-engraved SS tags have lasted about 20 years without plastic covers.

If you want a durable coating, two pot clear epoxy (eg Araldite ) baked in oven at 60C for several hours is very durable.

eracode

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#1890882 26-Oct-2017 16:26

neb: I'm actually tempted to get some of this stuff just for the novelty value. I'll have to get several tins of baked beans to aid in the drying process though.

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pbgben

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#1890886 26-Oct-2017 16:46

Engrave it again with a deeper cut, then spray paint it and wipe with cloth to leave only the text showing, this can be done as often as needed.

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graemeh

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#1890887 26-Oct-2017 16:48

neb: Hmm, interesting, thanks! So it pre-mixes the hardener as you spray. I was leaning towards some sort of two-component epoxy type solution like POR 15, but they tend to be pretty pricey. Unfortunately the Dulux one is pricey too, and once it's activated you have to use it fairly quickly. Another option was ProtectaClear, which is storable, but you have to order it from overseas and it then costs about the same as the Dulux with shipping. The automotive protection area seems to be the most promising though.

I thought the Dulux spray is a two component epoxy type solution. It is very tough though and the same sort of product that you would use when painting a car.

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#1891093 27-Oct-2017 00:07

pbgben:

Engrave it again with a deeper cut, then spray paint it and wipe with cloth to leave only the text showing, this can be done as often as needed.

This but use the POR15 instead. As long as the POR15 has a rough surface to "key" into, it is practically impossible to remove once dry. It cures on exposure to moisture from the air. Because of this, it it difficult to reliably reseal a POR15 tin without the remainder going off. (and without it sticking the lid stupidly tight onto the tin) So definitely buy just 1 of the small 100mL tins of it.

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neb

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#1891098 27-Oct-2017 00:39

Aredwood:
So definitely buy just 1 of the small 100mL tins of it.

Can you get it in 100ml lots? The smallest I've seen are the 250/340ml ones, at pretty hefty prices.

Silly thing is, I probably need about 10ml of it in total.

Aredwood

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#1891100 27-Oct-2017 01:08

Definitely available in 100ml tins, Ive got one in my garage. Check with Carcolours if you are in Auckland, otherwise a shop that sells panelbeating supplies. Or contact Permanent painted coatings who are the NZ reseller.

richms

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#1891506 27-Oct-2017 19:35

Stick the stainless thing inside some clear heatshrink and shrink it perhaps?

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#1891607 27-Oct-2017 22:54

Have you tried clear nailvarnish ?

Works amazingly well when the car gets small stone nicks as a rust preventative too 👍 #rurallife

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