Question - keys & rust

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Class-1 - 06 Dec 2005 08:15 GMT

Just out of interest:
What metal do they make the OEM keys from (standard yellow/gold hue)?

And, are they are coated after machining - does this account for the
yellow/gold tint?

Reason I ask is I'd like to know the possibility is of them to start
rusting after many years of use.

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Malt_Hound - 06 Dec 2005 14:17 GMT

> Just out of interest:
> What metal do they make the OEM keys from (standard yellow/gold hue)?
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Reason I ask is I'd like to know the possibility is of them to start
> rusting after many years of use.

Keys don't rust.

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-Fred W

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Jan Kalin - 06 Dec 2005 15:01 GMT

>> Just out of interest:
>> What metal do they make the OEM keys from (standard yellow/gold hue)?
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
>Keys don't rust.

Well, my former 316i's key that lay "lost" in the gutter for two years
(including winters, with salt on road) disagrees :) But I do admit the
conditions were exceptional.

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Malt_Hound - 06 Dec 2005 22:07 GMT

>>>Just out of interest:
>>>What metal do they make the OEM keys from (standard yellow/gold hue)?
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> (including winters, with salt on road) disagrees :) But I do admit the
> conditions were exceptional.

Was it an original key or a duplicate? I have never seen a key blank
made with ferrous materials.

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-Fred W

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Jan Kalin - 07 Dec 2005 10:36 GMT

>>>>Just out of interest:
>>>>What metal do they make the OEM keys from (standard yellow/gold hue)?
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>Was it an original key or a duplicate? I have never seen a key blank
>made with ferrous materials.

If I can find it I'll check and report back.

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Kevin Rhodes - 06 Dec 2005 21:49 GMT

>Just out of interest:
>What metal do they make the OEM keys from (standard yellow/gold hue)?

Most keys are made of Brass - they don't rust.

Some OEM keys are steel, and will rust if left out in the weather. Would be
very unusual for a key to rust under normal usage though. But I did have a
rusty Peugeot key that had been left in a magnetic key holder under the bumper
for 20 years. :-)

Kevin Rhodes
Westbrook, Maine
91 318is

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