Author Topic: Rit dye and keys (Read 196597 times)

iMav · « **on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 12:57:06 »

Works slick!

wellington1869 · « **Reply #1 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 12:59:58 »

holy cow, that was with RITT?!?!?! Dude, it looks brilliant!!

omg, now I definitely have to try it.

did you do charcoal/black on keys and blue/yellow on the others? Hmmm, a yellow escape key looks just as good as a red one!

Can you post deets of the method you used? (water temperature, soaking time, stirring or no stirring, etc)

I'm assuming your keys were blank to begin with (else I imagine the lettering would show thru a little bit, since I think RITT mainly "tints" the key)

Mercen_505 · « **Reply #2 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 13:16:40 »

I must admit I'm interested in doing this in the future. I'm also interested in knowing how durable the dye is.

iMav · « **Reply #3 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 13:34:03 »

Another 'board.

wellington1869 · « **Reply #4 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 13:45:56 »

looks like on the second board he dyed the frame too?

iMav · « **Reply #5 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 13:52:45 »

Quote from: wellington1869;15366

looks like on the second board he dyed the frame too?

In the pictures posted, I dyed a total of eight keys blue and two keys yellow.

All the dyed keys were white originally...except for the yellow key on the Model M...that was the off-white/gray color that you see on shift, Ctrl, etc Model M keys.

The Model M is a spacesaver that I got from bigpook. It looks like the tilde key is yellow because it has Unicomp's "linux layout" (i.e. that IS the escape key).

After seeing the results, I would not have any reservations in dying the frame. I am controlling myself right now simply because I used up my small sampling of dye and we just got over a foot of snow.

Expect me to go crazy in January!

iMav · « **Reply #6 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 13:54:18 »

Quote from: webwit;15367

This guy uses another dye. When I investigated this earlier, one guy said it was hard to get even coloring. Did you do anything special?

The spray vinyl dye is crap. I tried that several times.

This is easy as you simply dissolve it in hot water and let the pieces soak it up. Incredibly easy, looks awesome, and appears to be quite resilient.

iMav · « **Reply #7 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 13:57:06 »

Somebody throw out a color scheme they'd like to see. I'll see about implementing it on one of my many AT101W's in the coming weeks.

wellington1869 · « **Reply #8 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 14:03:39 »

the white keys - did they have lettering on them? i.e, they werent blank keys, right? If they had lettering on them, I'm very impressed that RITT covered up black lettering on white keys?!

p.s., I'm really impressed with the yellow escape key! Its as good as red

bigpook · « **Reply #9 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 14:19:31 »

iMav

It looks really good. You mention you used white keys to start with. I suppose black keys would not work so well for dyeing?

The color looks even across the key too, real nice. Does the dye penetrate the plastic or does it "sit" on the top?

What if the keys had lettering? WOuld the letters still show?

lam47 · « **Reply #10 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 14:21:26 »

OK so RITT is?
I still want to make a brown board.
(with letters still showing if I can)

wellington1869 · « **Reply #11 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 14:37:58 »

Quote from: lam47;15376

OK so RITT is?
I still want to make a brown board.
(with letters still showing if I can)

whoops, its RIT with ONE T

In the US, any walk-in drugstore generally will have it, for about .99 cents for each color. Mostly used to dye old t-shirts or jeans. Its basically a clothing dye (but clearly has other uses!).

lam47 · « **Reply #12 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 14:40:20 »

I see! Could anyone read of the packet what its made from. I will see if we have anything like that

philodox · « **Reply #13 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 14:40:36 »

Has anyone tried something like Krylon fusion? Any reason why that wouldn't work? How about just for the frame?

wellington1869 · « **Reply #14 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 14:44:42 »

Quote from: philodox;15379

Has anyone tried something like Krylon fusion? Any reason why that wouldn't work? How about just for the frame?

I suppose you could try it, but my initial research a few months back indicated that spray on stuff wasnt working that well (peeling, wearing off, etc). Google for "diy das keyboard", you should get a bunch of hits where people attempted to spray paint their boards with varying results. I remember seeing at least one hit where someone used krylon fusion. IIRC it didnt work out well in the long run, but this was a while ago when I researched this stuff so I may not RC.

iMav · « **Reply #15 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 14:46:00 »

It won't dye black keys. These keys were blank to start with. I'm pretty sure that black lettering would show through.

I have a couple of additional keys that I did with a darker blue that actually turned out near-black. I will see if I am successful in removing any of the color.

UPDATE:

It does not sit "on top" of the key. The dye soaks in pretty deep. I scrubbed with nail polish remover and that did nothing. I took several layers off with a knife and the dye is deep. I had to cut the key in half to see how far the dye went.

Very impressive. (and I only soaked these for less than 10 minutes...with the water at near-boiling)

wellington1869 · « **Reply #16 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 14:52:49 »

rit dye color chart. Note they have a couple of "neon" colors.

Also note the skateboarding community has also apparently discovered RIT for their wheels and boards, lol. So there is some precedent for using it on plastics.

Chloe · « **Reply #17 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 18:54:05 »

The HHKB looks great iMav, I have to try this now. I'm glad to see the original surface texture is retained unlike with spraying (vinyl dye or paint).

Chloe · « **Reply #18 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 18:56:53 »

Quote from: iMav;15369

This is easy as you simply dissolve it in hot water and let the pieces soak it up. Incredibly easy, looks awesome, and appears to be quite resilient.

Did you use powder or liquid? In the UK we have Dylon powder, I wonder if it will work.

lam47 · « **Reply #19 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 19:04:20 »

Quote from: Chloe;15403

Did you use powder or liquid? In the UK we have Dylon powder, I wonder if it will work.

That's the one I was thinking of!
I plan to get some tomorrow and chuck some old keys in.
I will post of course.

wellington1869 · « **Reply #20 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 19:07:44 »

Quote from: lam47;15407

That's the one I was thinking of!
I plan to get some tomorrow and chuck some old keys in.
I will post of course.

lookng forward to the pics

Everyone always says 'dont forget to stir constantly' else coloring may not come out even.

I even like that the lettering will show thru. I like the idea of a "tint" better than thick color. I think it looks better.
I'm surprised how strongly the yellow came thru, it looks great.

lam47 · « **Reply #21 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 19:09:38 »

Im always stirring you big girl HA HA HA HAHA HAHA
Im so tired.

Chloe · « **Reply #22 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 20:36:54 »

Quote from: lam47;15407

That's the one I was thinking of!
I plan to get some tomorrow and chuck some old keys in.
I will post of course.

You can get Rit dye from Ebay UK:
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38&_nkw=rit+dye&_sacat=See-All-Categories

secularzarathustra · « **Reply #23 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 20:48:11 »

I sense an great influx of dyed boards coming to geekhack!

bigpook · « **Reply #24 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 21:10:40 »

Quote from: iMav;15382

It won't dye black keys. These keys were blank to start with. I'm pretty sure that black lettering would show through.

I have a couple of additional keys that I did with a darker blue that actually turned out near-black. I will see if I am successful in removing any of the color.

UPDATE:

It does not sit "on top" of the key. The dye soaks in pretty deep. I scrubbed with nail polish remover and that did nothing. I took several layers off with a knife and the dye is deep. I had to cut the key in half to see how far the dye went.

Very impressive. (and I only soaked these for less than 10 minutes...with the water at near-boiling)

Thanks for verifying that. If the dye permeates the key, then its reasonable to think that it would last and not fade or wear off.

wellington1869 · « **Reply #25 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 21:22:56 »

Quote from: secularzarathustra;15432

I sense an great influx of dyed boards coming to geekhack!

I'd like color suggestions too. I'm bad at designing, though I can recognize a great design when I see one

What colors are you guys thinking of dying (those of you who are thinking of dying (dye-ing?)). So far I know I'll do one as charcoal black with either a red or yellow escape key, but I have at least 3 boards could dye, lol.

(Omg, I just realized that I could color-code my entire autohotkey profile and shortcuts onto my keyboard! Lol, thats awesome)

cchan · « **Reply #26 on:** Fri, 19 December 2008, 21:59:53 »

I'm thinking to dye my AT101 a dark industrial gray-brown, like the industrial Model Ms.

wellington1869 · « **Reply #27 on:** Sat, 20 December 2008, 01:40:56 »

Quote from: Tales;15446

I'm thinking to dye my AT101 a dark industrial gray-brown, like the industrial Model Ms.

Brown is nice. I always thought a dark chocolate brown keyboard would look classy.

wellington1869 · « **Reply #28 on:** Sat, 20 December 2008, 02:50:02 »

Quote from: webwit;15489

Classy like a giant turd?.

lol, I was thinking "chocolate bar" actually

And incidentally, the brown zune was the biggest selling zune

classy is all in the context:

Chloe · « **Reply #29 on:** Sat, 20 December 2008, 02:56:03 »

Quote from: wellington1869;15490

lol, I was thinking "chocolate bar" actually

wellington1869 · « **Reply #30 on:** Sat, 20 December 2008, 02:56:41 »

Quote from: Chloe;15493

Show Image

:D perfect! And now I'm hungry ;) (btw where can I get one of those! very cute)

Chloe · « **Reply #31 on:** Sat, 20 December 2008, 02:58:48 »

I don't think it's a real keyboard:
http://www.sholk.com/pd_02.html

xsphat · « **Reply #32 on:** Sat, 20 December 2008, 02:59:33 »

Quote from: wellington1869;15490

classy is all in the context:
Show Image

She's hot, I'd pee on her.

lam47 · « **Reply #33 on:** Sat, 20 December 2008, 05:56:06 »

Quote from: xsphat;15498

She's hot, I'd pee on her.

lol, I knew you were strange.

lam47 · « **Reply #34 on:** Sat, 20 December 2008, 08:10:59 »

Cooking some keys now in this stuff.
http://www.fredaldous.co.uk/shop-online/dylon-fabric-dye-hand-use.htm
Look how cool the packets are!

bigpook · « **Reply #35 on:** Sat, 20 December 2008, 08:14:41 »

Quote from: xsphat;15498

She's hot, I'd pee on her.

man, that is just so wrong. : )

lam47 · « **Reply #36 on:** Sat, 20 December 2008, 08:45:01 »

Don't bother with the Dylon dye. It had no effect at all on the keys.
I will order some rit from ebay.

xsphat · « **Reply #37 on:** Sat, 20 December 2008, 12:40:01 »

Quote from: bigpook;15515

man, that is just so wrong. : )

wellington1869 · « **Reply #38 on:** Sat, 20 December 2008, 12:45:02 »

Quote from: Chloe;15497

I don't think it's a real keyboard:
http://www.sholk.com/pd_02.html

I know, thats why I got hungry

It would make a terrific stocking stuffer for the keyboard lover in your life.
Thanks for the link!

bigpook · « **Reply #39 on:** Sat, 20 December 2008, 13:19:13 »

Quote from: wellington1869;15532

I know, thats why I got hungry It would make a terrific stocking stuffer for the keyboard lover in your life.
Thanks for the link!

That wouldn't last long in my house. That and a glass of milk....

fkeidjn · « **Reply #40 on:** Sat, 20 December 2008, 16:27:59 »

Quote from: iMav;15382

It won't dye black keys. These keys were blank to start with. I'm pretty sure that black lettering would show through.

Not even if you try to dye it white, and then to another color?

lowpoly · « **Reply #41 on:** Sat, 20 December 2008, 16:43:01 »

That looks very, very nice, iMav. Were the HHKB caps the first ones you tried?

Quote from: philodox;15379

Has anyone tried something like Krylon fusion? Any reason why that wouldn't work? How about just for the frame?

I think xsphat did that.

Quote from: Chloe;15428

You can get Rit dye from Ebay UK:
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38&_nkw=rit+dye&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Paypal and Europe. Thank you.

wellington1869 · « **Reply #42 on:** Sat, 20 December 2008, 17:49:28 »

design idea: a "chess" keyboard where alternate keys are black and white?

Chloe · « **Reply #43 on:** Sat, 20 December 2008, 17:52:24 »

Like this? I think it might be a bit too busy for me.

wellington1869 · « **Reply #44 on:** Sat, 20 December 2008, 18:02:21 »

Quote from: Chloe;15592

Like this? I think it might be a bit too busy for me.

hmmm, you're right, and its a little confusing to look at too

I think i'd keep losing my home row!

dougy · « **Reply #45 on:** Sat, 20 December 2008, 18:05:06 »

Just reading the thread and the colors are great. For those of you interested in paint you could try dipping the key face down in an LV epoxy. Carefully return it upright and set it on some teflon. The edges will need a little attention, but its fairly easy to trim/sand the edge. I did this with clear to repair a broken key. Gray is another standard color, and all can be tinted with frescoe coloring.

bigpook · « **Reply #46 on:** Sat, 20 December 2008, 18:09:41 »

Looking at iMav's post and those colors are just so even and clear. Those keys look OEM to me. I needs me some white keys for my filco....

iMav · « **Reply #47 on:** Sun, 21 December 2008, 00:35:54 »

Quote from: fkeidjn;15577

Not even if you try to dye it white, and then to another color?

I didn't have white, but I tried yellow on a black key. Left it in there a LONG time. Didn't change the black key one bit.

iMav · « **Reply #48 on:** Sun, 21 December 2008, 00:38:41 »

Quote from: lowpoly;15582

That looks very, very nice, iMav. Were the HHKB caps the first ones you tried?

I first tried red with a non-Rit brand (wife brought two brands of dye home because they didn't have red Rit at the store). It did absolutely nothing. I then did some Model M and HHKB keys with a dark blue. Turned them black.

Third time was a charm with the lighter blue...and then I did the yellow keys.

Definitely go with light colors. Just let them soak longer to darken them up.

Chloe · « **Reply #49 on:** Sun, 21 December 2008, 01:09:54 »

Did you add vinegar to the water? I have read that it helps when dyeing nylon so maybe it would work for other plastics too.

News:

Author Topic: Rit dye and keys (Read 196597 times)