I've been thinking about switching to keypad locks myself, but the fading numbers thing has me hesitating a bit. Rotating codes yearly sounds like a smart workaround, though. I wonder if anyone's tried applying some kind of protective coating or clear sealant over the buttons to slow down the wear? I've used clear nail polish on appliance buttons before (like microwave keypads) and it actually worked pretty well. Not sure if it'd hold up outdoors, though...
Also, totally agree about fingerprint readers. Had one at my old place and it was great—until winter hit. Cold fingers and fingerprint scanners do NOT mix, lol. Learned pretty quickly to always have a backup plan. Curious if anyone's found a keypad brand that's particularly durable or resistant to fading?
I get the appeal of protective coatings, but honestly, clear nail polish outdoors might be a bit iffy. I tried something similar on my garage keypad once—it looked great at first, but after a few months of sun and rain, it yellowed and started peeling. You might have better luck with automotive-grade clear coat sprays; they're made for outdoor exposure. A friend recommended silicone keypad covers too—cheap and easy to replace if they wear out.
"A friend recommended silicone keypad covers too—cheap and easy to replace if they wear out."
Silicone covers sound practical, but do they hold up well in extreme weather? I've had mixed experiences with silicone outdoors—sometimes it gets brittle or discolored after a harsh winter or two. Wondering if anyone's tried those automotive clear coats on plastic keypads specifically...do they stay flexible enough not to crack over time? I used some on outdoor furniture once, and while it resisted yellowing pretty well, it did start flaking around edges after a year or so. Maybe the keypad material makes a difference? Curious if anyone else has seen better results long-term.
I tried silicone keypad covers on my garage entry pad, and honestly, they didn't handle winter too gracefully—got stiff and cracked after just one season. Haven't tested automotive clear coats yet, but now you've got me curious...might experiment next spring.
Had the same issue with silicone covers—mine turned brittle faster than leftover pizza crust. Thought about automotive clear coat too, but I'm skeptical it'll hold up to constant button pressing. Ever considered a weatherproof keypad box instead? Installed one for a client last year and haven't heard any complaints yet...though maybe they're just being polite. Anyone else tried something similar?