That's a neat point about the random digits—I hadn't thought of wear patterns giving away the code. Makes sense though. About the ice buildup, have you tried any kind of protective spray or coating on the keypad? I'm wondering if something like silicone spray or even a thin layer of WD-40 might help keep moisture from freezing up around the buttons. Might be worth experimenting with before winter hits again...
"About the ice buildup, have you tried any kind of protective spray or coating on the keypad?"
I've seen silicone sprays used on outdoor keypads before, and they do help somewhat. WD-40 might work temporarily, but it tends to attract dirt and grime over time, which could gum things up worse in the long run. Have you considered a small weather shield or cover instead? I've installed a few for clients dealing with harsh winters, and they've had pretty solid results keeping ice off the buttons without extra maintenance.
I've tried silicone sprays myself, and yeah, they do help a bit. But honestly, I found that a simple weather shield was way more effective overall. Last winter, I installed one of those clear plastic covers over my keypad—nothing fancy, just a basic hinged one—and it kept the buttons ice-free even during some pretty nasty storms. Plus, no worries about attracting dirt or grime like you mentioned with WD-40.
"WD-40 might work temporarily, but it tends to attract dirt and grime over time"
Exactly my experience too... WD-40 seems good at first, but long-term it's just messy.
Haha yeah, WD-40's like the duct tape of lubricants—seems great at first, but eventually leaves you regretting life choices. Curious though, anyone tried graphite powder? Heard it works wonders without the grime...
Graphite powder's solid—used it on my old deadbolt after getting fed up with WD-40 gunking things up. Worked smoothly, no grime buildup, but heads-up: it can get messy if you're not careful. Had a small spill once and cleaning fine black powder off white tile isn't exactly fun... Anyone else find silicone spray a decent middle-ground? Seems cleaner than WD-40, less messy than graphite.
