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How to Fix a Key Scratch on Your Car If you've got scratch marks on the key of your vehicle that you wish to get fixed There are a variety of options available. Mobile auto detailing experts can fix a scratch on a car key, restoring its pristine appearance. Begin by looking for and determine the problem by using the key. Then examine the key to confirm that it is working properly. 1. Remove the keycap Due to their daily use, keyboards are prone to wear and tear. They may also collect hair, dust, and food that can cause them malfunction. Cleaning your keyboard will get rid of these particles and prolong the life of your keyboard. Switch off your computer first, and then remove the keyboard should you be able to. This will prevent accidental commands from being typed when you're working on your keyboard. Find a space where you can arrange all of the keys. This will make it easier to reattach the keys when you are finished. If you don't have the keycap remover tool, try using the butter knife or flathead screwdriver. You can also improvise and make use of a paperclip bent into a “U-shape” to secure it under the key. Once you've removed the keycap, wash it off and wipe the switch clean. You can also clean key stems. These are the tiny towers that are affixed to the faceplate. Make use of a cotton swab, dipped in isopropyl alcohol to wipe off any dirt or debris that has accumulated on the faceplate. Avoid getting alcohol on the printed portion of the key since it may damage it. Reattach the key after washing it. Start at the top left corner, and proceed to each row one key at one time. If you are using a new cap, align it with the switch on the key and press evenly on all sides. Be aware of the keys that are larger, such as the space bar and enter keys, when you reattach the keycap. These keys are attached to a bar of metal which can be damaged if not careful. After you have placed the keycaps all over the keyboard, press down the keys to test them. If the keycap is reattached, you should hear a click sound and feel it press down. If you don't, you may need to try reattaching the keycap and again or take it to a professional. 2. Clean is the most important thing. A key can be sticky and mushy due to various reasons however the most common reason is that it's not set correctly in its base or key mechanism. For keyboards on desktops, the easiest way to solve this is to use a sharp prying tool like a flathead screwdriver or butter knife to pull one corner of the key off. The key will fall off by a snap. You can clean it by washing it in water or alcohol. If your keys are rusty then you can scrub them with lemon and salt. You can also soak them in a mixture of water and vinegar. Close your computer down and unplug if needed. It is important to keep yourself grounded as well as the last thing you would want to do is damage electronic components by static electricity. Start by wiping the entire key and its surroundings with a lint-free cloth that you've wrung out well to prevent getting any moisture in between the keys. Use a mild cleaning solution as stronger cleaners may damage the plastic. Then, use a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to wipe around the edge of the key and the area around it. Be sure to avoid getting any alcohol on the print since this can cause discoloration and even remove the lettering from your keys. You can also purchase an electronic cleaning brush purchased from an ordinary store to remove hard-to-clean dirt and debris. You can also purchase items in a gel consistency which can be applied to your keyboard, then removed. This will eliminate any loose debris that has accumulated between your keys. If your key is still sticky or mushy after you've tried the above solutions it could be time to replace it. Depending on the kind of key, this could be a relatively simple task or it can be more complicated, and you might need to disassemble the whole key mechanism to remove the old key and then put the new one in place. 3. Reattach the keycap We don't often think about our car keys – until they get broken or locked inside the car. It could be a major headache, but you can repair it and save money. Try using compressed air to blow away any debris or dust that might be blocking the switch. If this doesn't work you, try prying off the cap and cleaning it. Use a plastic prying tool, like the credit card or Spudger. (You can also use a knife if you are in hurry). Also, have a small tool such as a toothpick or tweezers for cleaning the tiny grooves in the key. After cleaning the key, reattaching the keycap will allow you to test it. If the key is not responding, then you might require replacing the switch. If your keyboard is old or your switch for the key is damaged, you'll need to buy a replacement and then attach it. This isn't an easy fix, but is usually the only option if the key is no longer working. Dust accumulation beneath the key is one of the most common causes for a key not to work. You can simply clean the area to get rid of any dirt and debris. A key may cease to function because the switch has corroded. This could happen when water or any other liquid gets into the switch, and it can cause corrosion that could eventually eat away at the key switch pins and connectors on the circuit board. To prevent this from taking place, you should clean the circuit board with contact cleaner prior to replacing the key. This will make the switch more resistant to corrosion and it will also make it easier to pop out and then solder in a new key switch. If you're not confident in doing this yourself You can always bring your laptop to an repair shop for electronics to have it repaired. They'll be able determine if your key switch is able to be saved and be able to replace it if needed. 4. Test the key It can be a hassle and even dangerous when a key does not work to start your vehicle. It can also be costly when you have to purchase an additional key fob. However, before key repair rush to the auto shop or to an electronics store there are a few quick solutions you can test. You should first try a spare key in order to determine if it's the original key that is the cause of the issue. This will help you identify the issue and will save you money in the end. If the key does not work, you should take it apart to see the root of the issue. The key cap, the key carriage and key pad are the three primary parts of most keys. Each of these parts may cause different problems for the key. A common problem is that the cap of the key may be loose or tilted, which can prevent it from snapping back when you press the key down. It is possible to fix this by re-seating the cap. Another possibility is that the key carriage or the key pad may be damaged or dirty. These parts aren't easy to repair, however you can usually clean them with either a toothpick or a pair of tweezers. Be careful not to damage any internal parts, though this could cause your key to cease to function completely. You could also try the test of a key rollover. This is a test that tests whether or not the key can register a variety of keys simultaneously. This can be tested by pressing multiple keys simultaneously and then determining if they all register correctly. If one or more keys fail to register, you may have to clean them or replace them. You can also replace the battery in your key fob. It's a simple and cost-effective method to test your key, and it will also allow you to determine whether the issue is caused by an unresponsive battery or a malfunctioning ignition switch.