Co worker found this. Thought it might be useful to some.

[Folio]

http://www.chicaandjo.com/2014/04/13/diy-colorful-computer-keyboard/

It's just a tutorial with step by step and pictures on how to color your key caps and make them actually feel nice and what products to use etc.

I just skimmed through it, but I thought someone here might appreciate this 

[katushkin]

I like this a lot. The colours do look cool, but I don't think I would want to try and paint my plate using that technique.

I do quite fancy painting my case, but I think the different cases for different boards (Razer being shiny, WASD being textured) would require different techniques.

[Folio]

I like this a lot. The colours do look cool, but I don't think I would want to try and paint my plate using that technique.

I do quite fancy painting my case, but I think the different cases for different boards (Razer being shiny, WASD being textured) would require different techniques.

It might yea. I've only ever had textured boards and plates. I think those are more common, and the one used in the tutorial was textured. I would never color my keys though. Maybe I'd do it on a cheap ass rubber dome like this guy did, but never on really expensive/high quality caps or boards. I'm gonna stick to buying double shot caps with nice colors, but just thought some might like this link as another source for painting caps.

[rowdy]

That's very good consistency, even on black keycaps!

Shame about the legends though - I imagine you could get some stickers or similar to make something that looks more ... professional?

[Folio]

That's very good consistency, even on black keycaps!

Shame about the legends though - I imagine you could get some stickers or similar to make something that looks more ... professional?

I kinda like how it's hand drawn. Feels more relaxed. This might be a fun keyboard for your kids to use.

[rowdy]

That's very good consistency, even on black keycaps!

Shame about the legends though - I imagine you could get some stickers or similar to make something that looks more ... professional?

I kinda like how it's hand drawn. Feels more relaxed. This might be a fun keyboard for your kids to use.

I sort of liked it at first, and the idea that you can create legends any way you want, but my handwriting is atrocious, and I imagine I'd need several tries to get anything remotely close to consistency.

Hence the sticker idea

[Pacifist]

Thats not going to last long, at least cover it in automobile clear paint to seal everything in.

[katushkin]

I might think of doing it to this set of ABS caps I got from WASD, because I hear they don't last all that long.

As for the font, you could maybe try and get some water transfers that you could apply and seal like they have done?

[rowdy]

Left-overs from a crap bag would be an ideal base for experimentation.

[steve.v]

This has been my secret for a long time now lol! I never buy keycaps, I just recolor them.

[00zeRO]

Easy way to blank them...Warhammer 40k miniature painting meets mechanical keyboards...who woulda thought?

+1

[hashbaz]

To my knowledge, paint experiments on GH have generally ended up looking nice but wearing off over time.  I just skimmed the pics in this post, so maybe there's something new here?  The effect looks fantastic, regardless.

[tricheboars]

To my knowledge, paint experiments on GH have generally ended up looking nice but wearing off over time.  I just skimmed the pics in this post, so maybe there's something new here?  The effect looks fantastic, regardless.

RIT dying had some success on Model M's a few years ago. but i always tell people never to paint your caps.  it will end in tears, whether immediately or 6 months down the line when they show wear and tear.

in short. dont do this. i have no faith in painting caps. 

[hashbaz]

Yeah, exactly.  RIT dying is actually what brought me to Geekhack in the first place.

[steve.v]

To my knowledge, paint experiments on GH have generally ended up looking nice but wearing off over time.  I just skimmed the pics in this post, so maybe there's something new here?  The effect looks fantastic, regardless.

RIT dying had some success on Model M's a few years ago. but i always tell people never to paint your caps.  it will end in tears, whether immediately or 6 months down the line when they show wear and tear.

in short. dont do this. i have no faith in painting caps.

 4 years on my keycaps, no wear and tears ; quality paint goes a long way.

[Pacifist]

Yeah, exactly.  RIT dying is actually what brought me to Geekhack in the first place.

So no RIT dye=no hashbaz

[hashbaz]

I probably would have found my way here eventually.

[berserkfan]

http://www.chicaandjo.com/2014/04/13/diy-colorful-computer-keyboard/

It's just a tutorial with step by step and pictures on how to color your key caps and make them actually feel nice and what products to use etc.

I just skimmed through it, but I thought someone here might appreciate this 

no good, takes too much time and effort. results are not that lasting. paint is a layer on top; dye goes right inside.

[tricheboars]

Yeah, exactly.  RIT dying is actually what brought me to Geekhack in the first place.

same here. lol.

To my knowledge, paint experiments on GH have generally ended up looking nice but wearing off over time.  I just skimmed the pics in this post, so maybe there's something new here?  The effect looks fantastic, regardless.

RIT dying had some success on Model M's a few years ago. but i always tell people never to paint your caps.  it will end in tears, whether immediately or 6 months down the line when they show wear and tear.

in short. dont do this. i have no faith in painting caps.

 4 years on my keycaps, no wear and tears ; quality paint goes a long way.

its not that i dont believe you. but i dont believe you. 

hundreds of people have tried painting caps on this site and many other places on the web.  99% of them end up looking like **** or the paint comes off over time. 

double shot caps have dyed plastic thoughout the entire mold. when anyone uses paint you are placing a thin layer of color over colored plastic.  all plastic wears over time.  thus the painted layer will rub off.

RIT dying is an exception to this since the dye actually seeps into the plastic.  the problem with RIT dying is that the caps never seem to come out a consistent color.  either individual caps have different tones on them or the set isnt uniform.  also i dont think you can RIT dye ligher than your base color.  i have only seen people do it with the beige model M caps.

look guys do whatever you want.  i am just saying that when i tried painted my caps i regretted it.