Removing Dye/Ink/Paint from Backlit keycaps...

[00zeRO]

I am looking to try to remove the 'painted material' from some backlit keycaps. What would be a good solvent to use that won't damage or melt the plastic (i.e. Acetone)?

[cmadrid]

Not sure it would work on keycaps, but I googled how to get spray paint off of my hand, and ended up using a paper towel with a little bit of vegetable oil on it, lol

[Melvang]

I am looking to try to remove the 'painted material' from some backlit keycaps. What would be a good solvent to use that won't damage or melt the plastic (i.e. Acetone)?

Acetone can and will dissolve the caps unless they are PBT.

[00zeRO]

Not sure it would work on keycaps, but I googled how to get spray paint off of my hand, and ended up using a paper towel with a little bit of vegetable oil on it, lol

If that would work, then we would have a lot of returned keyboards for people having their paint chip off because you do not want to know how many greasy fried chicken fingered keyboards we have had to process even for repair work, yuk!

[00zeRO]

I am looking to try to remove the 'painted material' from some backlit keycaps. What would be a good solvent to use that won't damage or melt the plastic (i.e. Acetone)?

Acetone can and will dissolve the caps unless they are PBT.

That was why I put Acetone as an example of melting keycaps, sir...

[cmadrid]

Lol, when my son starts trying to use my pc instead of just his tablet I'm going to have to start swapping keyboards.  Greasy hands on my keyboard noooooo

[cmadrid]

I looked around google for a while, and saw some suggestions for laquer thinner or dot 3 brake fluid for getting paint off of abs.  I haven't tried this myself, so I can't say for sure if it works or not!

[00zeRO]

I looked around google for a while, and saw some suggestions for laquer thinner or dot 3 brake fluid for getting paint off of abs.  I haven't tried this myself, so I can't say for sure if it works or not!

I will definitely try the brake fluid. Thanks.

[cmadrid]

Saw this advice on a auto forum..

Here's what I'd suggest. Get a foam (EPS = Expanded Polystyrene) coffee cup, pour in whatever chemical you want to strip with. If it doesn't melt the cup it will probably be safe on ABS as Styrene is more sensitive than ABS

[Oobly]

Y, I think brake fluid will do it, DOT3 is best, DOT4 can damage most plastics... However, Castrol Super Clean is better. Many people use this stuff on plastic models and miniature figures when they want to strip and repaint them.

1. Wear nitrile rubber gloves. Important, this stuff will burn your skin. If you are using brake fluid, it can be absorbed through the skin and is toxic....
2. Soak the caps in it for a while (leave it long enough to soften the paint all the way through, overnight is probably a good choice).
3. Use a toothbrush to rub off the paint.
4. Wash with warm soapy water and rinse. Job done.

[00zeRO]

Y, I think brake fluid will do it, DOT3 is best, DOT4 can damage most plastics... However, Castrol Super Clean is better. Many people use this stuff on plastic models and miniature figures when they want to strip and repaint them.

1. Wear nitrile rubber gloves. Important, this stuff will burn your skin. If you are using brake fluid, it can be absorbed through the skin and is toxic....
2. Soak the caps in it for a while (leave it long enough to soften the paint all the way through, overnight is probably a good choice).
3. Use a toothbrush to rub off the paint.
4. Wash with warm soapy water and rinse. Job done.

No dice. These Ducky ABS monsters are very resilient to Brake fluid, Non-Acetone Nail Polish remover, pure Acetone...the dye material ain't budging.

Okay, maybe around the edges, but it is not coming off easily at all...

Any more suggestions...

[Melvang]

Very fine sandpaper.  I am talking in the realm of 1000 grit or higher.  Do this wet as well.

[00zeRO]

Very fine sandpaper.  I am talking in the realm of 1000 grit or higher.  Do this wet as well.

too much work...kudos to Ducky for making keycaps so resilient though...

 

(by the way, these are leftover keycaps from a custom we did, and are not English <translation: not a big seller>)