Who's a 3D printer wizard?
Discussion
This the end of an AM valet 'plastic' key. Unlike its glass cousin, which is too fragile and expensive to use, it scores 0/100 in the eye appeal stakes.
However, the end cap just pulls off and could be replaced by something smarter - maybe with a logo that could be picked out in paint. Something that could upgrade a valet key might do rather well on eBay I think. Any takers?
However, the end cap just pulls off and could be replaced by something smarter - maybe with a logo that could be picked out in paint. Something that could upgrade a valet key might do rather well on eBay I think. Any takers?
I did my own pimping of the key
here are a couple of the pics:
I sanded down the plastic, to make it smooth, needed for keying the paint and vitally reducing the size, it is a tight fit and if you apply too much paint it will stick in the slot, trust me, I know!!
I primed, then applied the same colour paint as the car, Quantum Silver in my case, then applied these silver metal decals, found on ebay. Then top UV lacquer.
I also fitted some lead weights inside the key as it is so crazy light and cheap feeling, I had some weights you can buy for adding weight to the head of a tennis rackets which proved to be ideal, easy to cut to shape and has adhesive already applied. This increased the weight and has not affected it operation at all, so all round very happy. I share here as it is an alternative to buying a replacement end piece and if you are handy quite a lot of fun doing this .
here are a couple of the pics:
I sanded down the plastic, to make it smooth, needed for keying the paint and vitally reducing the size, it is a tight fit and if you apply too much paint it will stick in the slot, trust me, I know!!
I primed, then applied the same colour paint as the car, Quantum Silver in my case, then applied these silver metal decals, found on ebay. Then top UV lacquer.
I also fitted some lead weights inside the key as it is so crazy light and cheap feeling, I had some weights you can buy for adding weight to the head of a tennis rackets which proved to be ideal, easy to cut to shape and has adhesive already applied. This increased the weight and has not affected it operation at all, so all round very happy. I share here as it is an alternative to buying a replacement end piece and if you are handy quite a lot of fun doing this .
Cunning! I saw the silver logos on eBay but the seller thought they'd be unsuitable as they'd wear. However you seem to have solved that by lacquering them.
Now you just need new buttons - don't pay Phoenix £150, buy them for £20 at https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116723667875
Now you just need new buttons - don't pay Phoenix £150, buy them for £20 at https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116723667875
Edited by Simpo Two on Thursday 9th April 22:38
Simon, I actually bought the buttons off of ebay, but on closer inspection of the originals, they were in good condition, and I did not want to take a craft knife to them just yet. I have seen they can and do deteriorate much more over time, and then I will swap out and fit the 3d printed ones I have. Only issue with the originals is that you can't see the symbols easily and for the life of me I don't seem to be able to commit to my memory which way round open and close is. Must be my age!
davidismynaim said:
Simon, I actually bought the buttons off of ebay, but on closer inspection of the originals, they were in good condition, and I did not want to take a craft knife to them just yet. I have seen they can and do deteriorate much more over time, and then I will swap out and fit the 3d printed ones I have. Only issue with the originals is that you can't see the symbols easily and for the life of me I don't seem to be able to commit to my memory which way round open and close is. Must be my age!
I found that too - barely discernible in daylight and invisible in darkness. And I'm not Simon 
Note - because replacement buttons don't have a lower flange, they have to be stuck in with tape and can fall out.
For this era of Aston Martin they supplied one key that's too expensive to use, and one that's too cheap to use!
davidismynaim said:
Only issue with the originals is that you can't see the symbols easily and for the life of me I don't seem to be able to commit to my memory which way round open and close is. Must be my age!
I use my glass key and I have one of the early leather cases without the cut-out "window" to access the buttons, so I have to press the leather in the appropriate place to lock or unlock the car. My mnemonic to help me press the correct button is "Left is Lock" 
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