geekhack Community > Keyboards
CM Quickfire Rapid keyboard mod - can I sandblast it?
phinix:
That soft-rubber coating on CM Quickfire Rapid keyboard case is terrible. I hate the feeling of it when touched, also it wears off with time.
Could this be sandblasted? Or would I need to do it manually with sand paper?
I did that ages ago, but it was horrible process, getting that freakin sh*t off in small corners of the case did not work out perfectly and I binned the whole case...
I could just order that aluminum case for CM/Filco keyboards, but I like the overall plastic case of this board.
TheSoulhunter:
Sandblasting plastic is possible...
But you have to use low pressure (50 PSI or perhaps less) and also a gentle media (like baking soda).
A wide nozzle helps as well. You want to keep the friction/energy you induce, spread and low, to avoid melting spots.
That said, I don't know about the rubber coating, and how it will react to the sandblasting.
There are coatings that are very sticky and won't get off well trough abrasion.
Perhaps a bit of a gamble....
Btw, there was a old related thread:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=39533.0
Findecanor:
I've used white spirit and a lot of rubbing (sometimes with sandpaper) to get rubberised coatings off where it has started to decompose.
Then wipe it with alcohol to get the first solvent off.
phinix:
--- Quote from: Findecanor on Fri, 10 April 2026, 09:25:36 ---I've used white spirit and a lot of rubbing (sometimes with sandpaper) to get rubberised coatings off where it has started to decompose.
Then wipe it with alcohol to get the first solvent off.
--- End quote ---
Thanks, I will try that.
pixelpusher:
Following this thread to see how it worked out. I have 2 of these tops that have gone all sticky and are deteriorating. I usually just swap out to a new top :p But now I'm on my last one! I did sand down and paint a CM board but I don't think it was the rubberized version. I will say... if you plan to hand sand and paint it, you really need to be meticulous about sanding. You will probably see any swirl marks left from the sanding when you paint.
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