Remote controls...

[fink]

Can't live without em but they sure are a pain.

I constantly had/have problems with every one I've ever owned. Certain keys just stop working. I've taken them apart and cleaned them but that never helps. Apparently it's the conductive material on the button that wears off.

I've seen kits that supply a conductive type of coating that you can coat the bottom of the key with but I have doubts about how long that would last.
The kits are around 25 dollars and a half decent universal remote is around 15 dollars. Can't do the math until I know definitavely if the kits actually work at all.

My latest universal remote which I bought 6 months ago to replace a Sony remote has lost the use of the on/off button so I have to use the Sony to power the TV and the universal to change channels (which was what died on the Sony)

It's the 3rd universal I've bought in as many years. They don't last either and price doesn't seem to make a difference. More expensive ones die as quickly as cheapies.

Rant over.

[Train]

Conductive pens have been used for years on traces and work right well.

A double coat should do the trick nicely is my guess. Used it on traces and it should work where you want it.

Example only:
http://www.web-tronics.com/2200-mtp.html

[JPnyc]

Well not sure this will work with a remote, but the same issue exists with most pushbutton wireless phones. There's a conductive gel on the back of the rubber keypad which makes contact with a pc board. As the gel dries up, the key ceases to function. My fix was to buy some brass-head thumbtacks (can't have paint on 'em), clip off part of the shaft, and press into the back of the rubber pad. The metal conducted electricity and the keys worked again, permanently.

[Train]

Now that would be worth looking into JP.

[fink]

Interesting idea... thanks. Tacks probably too large for my tv remotes but metal foil and epoxy might work.

[Train]

They make some real small brass tacks.

Check a GOOD hardware store. Maybe able to use something like number 4 brass screws as another idea.

[NorthernBloke]

all keypads like this have the built in obselescense.

The good news is that switching the TV off, rather than standby is saving you money.

I used the glue/foil trick in a phone handset - works a charm.

[puterfixer]

I used to refurbish remote controls with tin foil clipped to size and glued over the rubber button's conductive pad. You get cheap rolls of this stuff for cooking, or chocolate wrapping - my favorite

[fink]

What's the best kind of glue?

[JPnyc]

I would probably use cyanoacrylate glue. You can use the smallest amount with a reasonable chance of holding permanently. Wouldn't hurt to rough up the surface of the rubber backing either.

[puterfixer]

Careful with super glue/crazy glue, the vapors change the mechanical properties of the rubber around, much more susceptible to cracking/breaking on the first push. I use a very thin layer of rubber or latex based glue, don't know their names in English It's the kind that makes you see pretty unicorns if you sniff it long enough

[Train]

Got a brand name?
Maybe we can find it and compare that way.

[puterfixer]

Local brand, and I live faaaaar away I think it's contact cement. Commonly used on leather, rubber, vinyl, or anything that must maintain its flexibility. It's solvent-based, not water-based.

[JPnyc]

cyanoacrylate glue will suffice. I have a pair of sandals, and a leather strap snapped off. I glued it to the side of the rubber sole with cyanoacrylate glue about three years ago. It's still holding, and I wear them frequently.

[Train]

Now this is far away.
http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/89606.html

Seems your discription was enough to help out.