Funny how those keypads end up looking like ancient artifacts after a year or two. I tried those silicone covers once, but they just made the buttons even stickier in the cold—total fail. Honestly, I’ve started using painter’s tape over the numbers that get the most use. It’s not pretty, but it slows down the wear and peels off clean when it gets gross.
I’m with you on the cleaning—dish soap and water is way better than alcohol wipes. Alcohol just seems to dry out the plastic and make it look worse over time. As for gloves, I’ve given up. They disappear or get holes instantly around here.
At this point, I think a “well-loved” keypad just adds character. Kind of like a favorite old tool—shows it gets used and does its job.
Painter’s tape is a clever hack—I’ve used masking tape in a pinch, but it leaves that weird residue if you forget about it. I hear you on the silicone covers; mine basically turned into a lint magnet. I’ve started using a tiny dab of food-grade mineral oil after cleaning to keep the plastic from drying out. Not sure if it’s actually helping, but at least it doesn’t look as chalky. And yeah, those “battle scars” on the keypad are kind of satisfying… proof it’s not just for show.
I totally get the painter’s tape trick—masking tape left this sticky mess on my old keypad and I had to use rubbing alcohol to get it off, which felt like overkill. For the silicone cover, I actually tried dusting it with a bit of cornstarch after washing. It helped with the lint, but then you get this weird powdery feel. As for the mineral oil, I’ve been using a tiny bit of coconut oil instead because that’s what I had on hand, and it seems to keep the plastic from cracking. Those keypad marks do make it look well-used, though sometimes I wonder if they’re giving away my code... probably overthinking it.
I’ve had the same issue with tape residue—painter’s tape is definitely less of a hassle, but even that can leave a little gunk if it’s on too long. I tried the cornstarch trick too, but yeah, the powdery feel isn’t great. For the keypad marks, I started rotating my code every few months just in case. Not sure if it’s necessary, but it gives me some peace of mind. Coconut oil’s a clever swap, though I wonder if it attracts dust over time...
- Tape residue is a pain, especially on older woodwork. I’ve found painter’s tape can still pull up finish if I’m not careful, and the residue seems worse in humid weather.
- Cornstarch never worked for me either—just made a mess and didn’t really get the sticky off.
- For keypad marks, rotating the code is smart, but I’ve noticed the wear still shows up on the most-used numbers over time. I started wiping the pad down with a microfiber cloth every week or so, which seems to help a bit.
- About coconut oil: I tried it once on a sticky window latch. It did loosen the gunk, but after a few weeks, dust and pet hair stuck to it like glue. Ended up having to clean it again with rubbing alcohol.
- If you’re worried about residue, I’ve had decent luck with a little bit of mineral spirits on a cotton swab—just test it in a hidden spot first, especially if your trim is old or painted.
- For keyless entry, I do like not having to dig for keys, but I’m still a little paranoid about battery failure. I keep a spare 9V in the mudroom just in case.
- One thing I didn’t expect: the keypad glows at night, which is handy but also kind of weirdly bright in a dark hallway. I ended up putting a bit of frosted tape over the LED to tone it down.
- If you’re rotating codes, maybe try using all the numbers evenly? I read somewhere that some folks use a “dummy” code every so often just to keep the wear even, but that seems like a lot to remember.
- Still not sure if I trust the tech as much as a good old deadbolt, but it’s growing on me.
Curious if anyone’s found a way to keep the keypad looking new after a year or two. Mine’s already showing some shine on the most-used buttons, and I’m not sure there’s a fix for that...
