Rusty Skeleton Keys

[Gham]

I have two boxes of skeleton keys. One box is very, very rusty and the other is sort of rusty. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to remove the rust. 200114

[squid]

You can sandblast them or tumble them with stainless steel shot.

[debkauz]

Holy sh*t!!! How did you get all those keys?! I'm jealous!

If you have one of those steel brush thingies on the wheel you can use that too. I don't usually polish them until after I make the beads on them though. They can get a little 'mucky' from the torch sometimes.

[Ofilia]

If you are going to use them to make beads on, I don't remove the rust ever. I like it! I do burn off any paint or stuck on crap, but otherwise, I just coat with bead release on the shaft, dry it over night- or longer, (I like the beads to rattle on the key) and go for it!

After torching, annealing and cleaning the release out, I let them dry. Soak with a layer of WD40 over night, then wipe a layer of Renaissance wax and it keeps a nice patina without growing back the rough rust.

[squid]

That is true - a lot of people like the patina!

[Elizabeth Beads]

What a treasure trove! If you want to sell any, pm me.

Hope your son liked the cube-crystal press and silver glass.

;)

[gubnavnania]

You can soak them using CLR. I usually soak them in it before dipping all the keys in bead release.

[Elizabeth Beads]

Home remedies for rust are baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, salt and vinegar, and Coca Cola. Soak, rinse, dry. I also use bead release and Renaissance Wax to finish.

[houptdavid]

Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie :lol:

[playswithfire104]

:jawdrop: OMG! Want!

[Gham]

I am going to be posting a set of 50 keys in the garage sale. The proceeds will be going to the Beads of Courage. I just have to figure out what price to post them for. :)

[Bakerman44]

i hear people talking about using these things all the time...what do you use them for? keychains? any pics of uses? maybe someone could help gham out by showing all the different ways these keys could be used!

[playswithfire104]

Baker go to the gallery and check out the key bead thread. Or search key jewelry on Etsy.

[playswithfire104]

I am going to be posting a set of 50 keys in the garage sale. The proceeds will be going to the Beads of Courage. I just have to figure out what price to post them for. :)

I know the price will be more than I have. But a girl can dream!

[Amy's Artisan Beads]

To give you an idea of what keys are going for... I just bought a bunch of them at a architectural salvage/antique place for $2.00-$3.00 per key. The more unique the key, the more $.

Amy

[krisb16]

LucKEY! What a find, Gham. You can find them on ebay from 1.00 and up, plus shipping. And like was stated before, the fancier, the more they will bring. I find the antique stores in my area to be higher ($3-$5 per key). Good luck!

[playswithfire104]

Here ya go Baker http://lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129157