geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: shogrran on Tue, 20 March 2012, 01:35:32

Title: Anyone ever tried this? Poor solution I know.
Post by: shogrran on Tue, 20 March 2012, 01:35:32
So I just noticed the first early signs of wear on the rubber coated surface of my CMStorm QFR. I have expected it and it is inevitable as I have sweaty and very acidic hands. It's actually unexpected that the coating has lasted me this long before it even showed any signs.

I was just bumming around the house one day and I spotted a roll of Scotch brand tape and I thought hmm... maybe I can use this.

The Scotch brand tape... what the company calls "invisible" or "magic" tape I think is ideal... as it does not leave any residue when you peel it off. It also isn't glossy and that helps a lot in hiding that you have tape on the surface.

Here is a couple of pics TAKEN WITH A LOUSY CAMERA PHONE (for god sakes photo quality nazi's! a lot of you aren't photographers... you're just probably rich teenagers with a Nikon.) You probably can't even notice that there's tape on the lower left corner of the keyboard covering the entire area where my palms rest as I type.

Pro's its easy to take off and it is also easy to replace. It acts like those screen protectors you put on your smartphone screens.

Without flash
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd149/GodArm/Computers/Simple%20Hacks/CMStormQFR2.jpg)

With flash
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd149/GodArm/Computers/Simple%20Hacks/CMStormQFR.jpg)


Cons... its fugly and may drive obsessive compulsive people crazy.
Title: Anyone ever tried this? Poor solution I know.
Post by: laffindude on Tue, 20 March 2012, 01:37:09
This is exactly why I hate the finish on the Quickfire Rapid.
Title: Anyone ever tried this? Poor solution I know.
Post by: shogrran on Tue, 20 March 2012, 01:39:17
Quote from: laffindude;551230
This is exactly why I hate the finish on the Quickfire Rapid.

I kinda like it actually. I know it fades but then the non-coated plastic has it's own share of problems with shine anyway.
Title: Anyone ever tried this? Poor solution I know.
Post by: whiskerBox on Tue, 20 March 2012, 01:47:18
Check out this thread some people are using plasti-dip (http://www.overclock.net/t/1180260/plasti-dipd-case) on there QF's
Title: Anyone ever tried this? Poor solution I know.
Post by: shogrran on Tue, 20 March 2012, 02:23:47
Quote from: whiskerBox;551235
Check out this thread some people are using plasti-dip (http://www.overclock.net/t/1180260/plasti-dipd-case) on there QF's

Yup I read about that plasti-dip. Would like to try it out one day but... plasti-dip isn't commonly available in hardware stores from where I come from. And I also want to hear about the later-on effects of doing plasti-dip. I am imagining it will flake off at some point. I think doing plasti-dip would require a bit of preparation on the surface as well - pretty much like painting plastic. I'll try plasti-dip or some other alternative when the time comes that I can really sacrifice the QFRs current finish. As I would want tot sand it down and prep the surface before coating it with anything.
Title: Anyone ever tried this? Poor solution I know.
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 20 March 2012, 04:11:11
Quote from: shogrran;551251
Yup I read about that plasti-dip. Would like to try it out one day but... plasti-dip isn't commonly available in hardware stores from where I come from. And I also want to hear about the later-on effects of doing plasti-dip. I am imagining it will flake off at some point. I think doing plasti-dip would require a bit of preparation on the surface as well - pretty much like painting plastic. I'll try plasti-dip or some other alternative when the time comes that I can really sacrifice the QFRs current finish. As I would want tot sand it down and prep the surface before coating it with anything.

Um.... That's kinda the point of plasti-dip, you just put it on, and it works, and peel it off if you "no like"
Title: Anyone ever tried this? Poor solution I know.
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 20 March 2012, 09:05:16
Remember that the longer tape stays on, the harder it is to get off.

And most solvents that remove tape residue will damage plastic.

Of course, I would imagine that you have to/want to replace this tape at least once a year, if not a lot more often than that.
Title: Anyone ever tried this? Poor solution I know.
Post by: shogrran on Tue, 20 March 2012, 11:21:23
Quote from: tp4tissue;551287
Um.... That's kinda the point of plasti-dip, you just put it on, and it works, and peel it off if you "no like"

Hmm... well in that case that is a good solution. But has anyone tried to peel it off if you "no like"? I slightly am doubtful it will go off that easily when it comes in contact with an almost same rubberized surface. Is it washable by some mild solvent or something?
Title: Anyone ever tried this? Poor solution I know.
Post by: shogrran on Tue, 20 March 2012, 11:23:37
Quote from: fohat.digs;551368
Remember that the longer tape stays on, the harder it is to get off.

And most solvents that remove tape residue will damage plastic.

Of course, I would imagine that you have to/want to replace this tape at least once a year, if not a lot more often than that.


That is kinda why I though Scotch brand "invisible" tape is best. Its different from the regular tape... I have never encountered it leaving residue on any surface. The "stickyness" is almost the same as the "stickyness" you find in good quality post it notes.

But yea... Its best to replace it frequently anyway. It doesn't have to be yearly though. :D tape is cheap.
Title: Anyone ever tried this? Poor solution I know.
Post by: i3oilermaker on Tue, 20 March 2012, 13:58:13
Same problem here with Rosewill:

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?28274-Rosewill-9000-Case-shining

This is why I am lusting after one of those Aluminum / Steel cases
Title: Anyone ever tried this? Poor solution I know.
Post by: shogrran on Tue, 20 March 2012, 15:46:08
Quote from: i3oilermaker;551595
Same problem here with Rosewill:

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?28274-Rosewill-9000-Case-shining

This is why I am lusting after one of those Aluminum / Steel cases

doesn't aluminum mark with sweat as well?
Title: Anyone ever tried this? Poor solution I know.
Post by: Cereal on Tue, 20 March 2012, 17:14:14
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?28453-Modding-My-Keyboard!

and

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?28250-CM-Storm-Wrapped-in-CF-Vinyl

I really like these mods, probably harder to apply/remove then then that  plasti-dip stuff though.
Title: Anyone ever tried this? Poor solution I know.
Post by: absyrd on Tue, 20 March 2012, 18:24:45
You can get cheaper vinyl that is easier to remove than DI-NOC, but it'll be harder to apply initially and won't last as long from wear and tear. Big sheets of it are really cheap to "practice" with. Avery and some other companies make it for both signs and for scrapbooking hobbyists and whatnot.

As for removing the rubbery coating from the Quickfire... you may just be able to get a nice looking finish from some VERY fine grit sandpaper and using even pressure and consistent strokes. I'd take that off anyways if I was applying any other method.