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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Lolcakes on Tue, 28 February 2012, 17:59:09

Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: Lolcakes on Tue, 28 February 2012, 17:59:09
Hi there guys!

How here is the thing - next week I will be going to CeBIT in Hannover, Germany, where in addition to all the other cool things, the Intel Extreme Masters finals will take place.
I am a little bit of a starcraft fanboy and if I have the opportunity I would like to ask MMA or/and MC to sign my white Leopold TKL keyboard.
What sort of pen do i need for best results?
I could not find this question answered before and also, of course I want to express my excitement about going to CeBIT (for the first time). (=
Anybody else going as well?

Thanks for your input.
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Tue, 28 February 2012, 18:00:53
A paint marker is what I would recommend, like what taggers use. Pretty permanent.
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: metafour on Tue, 28 February 2012, 18:02:04
I was going to suggest an Industrial grade Sharpie.
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: Lolcakes on Tue, 28 February 2012, 18:03:57
Is this the kind of marker you have in mind?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLACK-UNI-POSCA-MARKER-PC-5M-PAINT-PEN-BULLET-TIP-2-5mm-/390380800520?pt=UK_Crafts_DrawingSupplies_EH&hash=item5ae4824a08

I have never used one personally.
Thanks
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Tue, 28 February 2012, 18:06:58
Yep, like those. They don't fade like a sharpie. Plus they come in lots of colors.
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: Lolcakes on Tue, 28 February 2012, 18:11:21
Is there a specific brand that I can trust more than others (when it comes to paint markers)?

I will definitely post pictures if i manage to get an autograph... the crowd there will be huge thats for sure so its not certain (=
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Tue, 28 February 2012, 18:13:03
I usually use testors enamel, or ones from the autostore meant for touching up scratches. Be careful about acetone though, since its going to be used on abs.
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: shogrran on Tue, 28 February 2012, 18:13:32
What about those paint markers that people use to color model kits?

http://di1-3.shoppingshadow.com/images/pi/25/a1/72/103994280-260x260-0-0_Bandai+GMS114+Gundam+Marker+Seed+Destiny+Set+1+set.jpg

I am curious as well if those will work or will they ruin the finish of your keyboard.
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Tue, 28 February 2012, 18:18:38
Well they should be ok, since used for models, like testors. I'm prety sure most model kits are abs and they don't melt, but better safe than sorry. Some of them I do think have acetone or other things that might not be plastics friendly, like the automotive ones. Keeps them from clogging up.
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: hazeluff on Tue, 28 February 2012, 18:30:19
Quote from: shogrran;529840
What about those paint markers that people use to color model kits?

http://di1-3.shoppingshadow.com/images/pi/25/a1/72/103994280-260x260-0-0_Bandai+GMS114+Gundam+Marker+Seed+Destiny+Set+1+set.jpg

I am curious as well if those will work or will they ruin the finish of your keyboard.

I have them for my gundams. They are a good choice, just don't scratch it, it's like a paintbrush/marker. Its slow drying tho and from experiance. May not be the best choice because of this.

They do however end up quite nice. I drew a nice Full Metal Alchemist alchemy circle on my large folder/binder.

The markers are not acetone (gunpla is ABS plastic and obv it'd be stupid if it ate away at plastic).
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: Lolcakes on Tue, 28 February 2012, 18:37:41
Are all paint markers slow drying? And how slow is slow drying? If it is like 20 minutes I think I should be able to hold my keyboard in my hands until the autograph is dry, but eventually I will have to put it in a bag. I definitely would like to get a nice result though. I plan to ask for a signature at the back of the board.

Thanks for the input guys
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: hazeluff on Tue, 28 February 2012, 18:40:05
Quote from: Lolcakes;529892
Are all paint markers slow drying? And how slow is slow drying? If it is like 20 minutes I think I should be able to hold my keyboard in my hands until the autograph is dry, but eventually I will have to put it in a bag. I definitely would like to get a nice result though. I plan to ask for a signature at the back of the board.

Thanks for the input guys

In comparison with a marker, it will be slow. Never timed it. But It could dry from something like 1-10 minutes. I've never really tested, because when I'm building my stuff, I just pipeline everything I do. So I lay drying stuff to the side and come back some 15-30 minutes and It's dry by then.
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Tue, 28 February 2012, 19:10:11
No, some of the ones I use dry to the touch in about 30 seconds. Let me test some, and I will tell you a good fast drying ones that are ok for plastic.
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Tue, 28 February 2012, 19:14:36
I'll recommend to look for CraftSec Japan ones. Dry to touch in seconds, no apparent reaction to abs. Though they smell terrible.
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 28 February 2012, 19:37:09
You are in a Catch-22 here.

A slow-drying, solvent-based paint marker that lays down a thick heavy layer of paint will look great, and if it eats into the body of the plastic, even better, right? because the (embedded) signature will survive even if the pigment sloughs off.

On the other hand, a good fresh Sharpie that stains down into the plastic just a bit, but dries fast, will be far more forgiving.

My advice? Trial and error. Get a couple of garbage boards at a thrift store for $1 each, and experiment with a fresh Sharpie, waiting "x" seconds (do it in 10-second increments) and wiping with a dry paper towel and/or a wet sponge to see exactly how it reacts.

That way, you should get a feel for exactly what to use and how much time you should expend on each encounter.
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: Lolcakes on Wed, 29 February 2012, 06:28:58
Thanks you for the replies guys!

Quote from: lysol;529957
I'll recommend to look for CraftSec Japan ones. Dry to touch in seconds, no apparent reaction to abs. Though they smell terrible.


I tried to google that one but I couldnt find anything... Do you think there might be a typo in the name you wrote?
Is CraftSec the name of the brand? I couldnt find anything on ebay either.
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: volund on Wed, 29 February 2012, 09:52:23
use a sharpie, when you get home hit it with a good clear coat, that should hold up pretty well against regular wear and tear.
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: reaper on Wed, 29 February 2012, 09:54:10
One of these days I'm gonna send ripster a Ducky and ask him to write "Quack!" on the back and sign his name. lol  Same thing with Filco and it'll say "Ping!" on it.
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Wed, 29 February 2012, 14:12:55
Hmn, thats all it says on it, well and the color. I don't know where I got it.
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: silat on Wed, 29 February 2012, 16:08:12
Quote from: Lolcakes;529825
Is this the kind of marker you have in mind?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLACK-UNI-POSCA-MARKER-PC-5M-PAINT-PEN-BULLET-TIP-2-5mm-/390380800520?pt=UK_Crafts_DrawingSupplies_EH&hash=item5ae4824a08

I have never used one personally.
Thanks


THE INK IS REMOVEABLE ON NON POROUS SURFACES AND PERMANENT ON POROUS SURFACES.
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: wcass on Wed, 29 February 2012, 16:35:14
Quote from: volund;530758
use a sharpie, when you get home hit it with a good clear coat, that should hold up pretty well against regular wear and tear.

+1
everyone knows what to expect when using a Sharpie. Sharpie can be "erased" with rubbing alcohol, but a clear coat will prevent that and fading nicely.
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: Lolcakes on Wed, 29 February 2012, 16:43:14
Quote from: silat;531185
THE INK IS REMOVEABLE ON NON POROUS SURFACES AND PERMANENT ON POROUS SURFACES.


Thanks for pointing this out. Now my question is... is this the case with all paint markers out there (with the difference that not all sellers would bother to add that info).
I dont want to trace over the autograph because it would not be the same (:
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: Lolcakes on Mon, 12 March 2012, 08:30:31
So, I had a great time at CeBIT and the ESL finals were just as awesome. I managed to get autographs from MC and WhiteRa. It was pretty cool ^^
[ATTACH=CONFIG]43733[/ATTACH]
All I have to do now is practice more and get to diamond league, I hate being stuck in this platinum league ^^
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: absyrd on Mon, 12 March 2012, 09:21:22
Quote from: lysol;529820
A paint marker is what I would recommend, like what taggers use. Pretty permanent.

Says the guy with the customized Banksy avatar. :D

Quote from: Lolcakes;543225
So, I had a great time at CeBIT and the ESL finals were just as awesome. I managed to get autographs from MC and WhiteRa. It was pretty cool ^^
(Attachment) 43733[/ATTACH]
All I have to do now is practice more and get to diamond league, I hate being stuck in this platinum league ^^

Nice. Just end up using a Sharpie?
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: snowboarder3 on Mon, 12 March 2012, 11:55:39
Industrial sharpie should be fine
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: Creizai on Mon, 12 March 2012, 15:01:32
You going to Vegas or something?
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: Lolcakes on Mon, 12 March 2012, 15:15:45
Yeah I used a sharpie... I wanted to try those paint markers first but in the stores closer to where I live they didn't have them. I don't wanna trace on top of it cause it wont be the same, it wont be their autograph anymore. Anyways, since it is at the back of the keyboard it should be pretty permanent I suppose.
Title: Autographs on a keyboard - what kind of pen would you recommend?
Post by: Lolcakes on Sat, 07 April 2012, 08:55:20
Nope.. its way too far away... I am European ^^