Organizing > MiscellaneousSeptember 08, 2010

Use Nail Polish to Identify Keys

Use brightly colored nail polish as a frugal way to distinguish one or two of your most needed keys on your keyring.

By Teresa from Vine Grove, KY

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By
09/14/2011

I file notches on the heads of all my keys. A small triangle file or Dremel tool will quickly put a notch in the soft metal. One notch for the front door, 2 for the back, etc. I also put the notch on the side that will face up. This allows me to get the key into the lock without my glasses and even in the dark if I forgot to leave the porch light on.

If you don't have a triangle file just ask your favorite handyman or handywoman. I guarantee they have one and would be happy to file a few notches for you.

By
09/14/2011

Most people don't have nail polish, and those that do only have one or two colors. Nail polish also chips off easily. A cheaper and more practical solution is to put a dab of WhiteOut (which most offices would have) and then color the WhiteOut with a color marker. That will give you many more colors, and WhiteOut is more readily available then nail polish.

The best solution, however, is what I actually use: Put some opaque tape on the key, and then actually write the key's function on the tape using a fine point color marker. That way, you can tell by color as well as the text on the function of a key. If you find that the tape comes off easily, simply wrap the tape around the key, over itself and trim off the excess, making sure it doesn't cover the key's teeth/ridges.

By
09/12/2010

Sounds like a plan. For myself, if I had more than one similar key on my keyring, I'd use a dot of tactile paint on each side to distinguish my front-door key. If you have a lot of keys, a simple color code might work...or different numbers of tactile dots: one for front door, two for back door, etc.

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(Archived Sep 08, 2010)Use Nail Polish to Identify Keys

Tip: Use Nail Polish to Identify Keys

Since the key to my front door is the same style as the key to my back door, I decorate one of them, usually the front door key. Using a brightly colored nail polish, I paint a thick line on both sides so it is easily recognized as the front door key. However, I thought that if I haven't left my front porch light on, I may have a hard time seeing the painted portion of the key. Therefore, I took a toothpick, dabbed it in the nail polish (you could use a different color for something unique) and placed dots over the already existing polish. This way I can feel the bumps rather than trying to see the color.

By sooz from Toronto, ON

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