How to Make a Faux Giant Metal Key

by Michelle Leslie

2 Materials

Have you seen those HUGE keys? icon

They're all over Pinterest at the moment and look stunning on a gallery wall. The only problem is the price. Wowza, they're a bit out of my league. But I wanted one. So we made our own.

how to make a faux giant metal key, how to

Our key is about 50 cm long, or 20″ for my American friends and I am so happy with how it turned out. Would you believe me if I told you the key is made out of expanding foam? That's the stuff you use to fill gaps with. icon

I found some in the garage and decided to experiment.

Here's how we made our key. We found a template for a skeleton key on the internet and cut it out on a piece of cardboard. Once the cardboard key was ready, we covered the whole thing with expanding foam and waited for it to dry completely.

Once the expanding foam was dry, we used a craft knife to carve out the key shape. I promise it’s easier than it sounds and I actually found it very therapeutic.

We applied some Gesso over the whole "foamy key" to smooth things out and painted it to look like rusty metal.

I'm super impressed with how it turned out and expanding foam is weather proof so we've put ours outside on the wall. I love taking it down to show people. Everyone thinks it's real metal but it's as light as a feather.

We've shared the full tutorial and how to get the rusty faux metal look using spices and paint on the blog. Come say hi if you get a chance.

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4 of 24 comments

Rosalind Wolvaard Eales on Jul 21, 2017

I am going to make mine this weekend. I have the template cut out. So excited. I hope it works out and that I am not disappointed.

1 Reply
- Michelle Leslie on Jul 21, 2017
  I'm sure it will work out Rosalind, just take little pieces off at a time when you've carved out the main shape and please share yours or gives us a shout anytime if you're stuck
  
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Curbside Overhaul on Jul 21, 2017

I love those old keys, but they are so expensive. This is super awesome and it looks just like them!

1 Reply
- Michelle Leslie on Jul 25, 2017
  I know right. I could never afford the real thing
  
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