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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: Knoughts on Mon, 13 August 2012, 05:16:51

Title: How does one make Keycaps black and glossy?
Post by: Knoughts on Mon, 13 August 2012, 05:16:51
I happen to have a Blackwidow, normal edition, of which has a glossy body.
I also happen to be wanting to make it look much more sexy by having it's
keycaps fit it's gloss-body and removing the letters on them ("otaku-look",
is that the correct term around here?). Looked around the internet for quite
some days and couldn't really find much of a solution for the Blackwidow. At
first, I resorted to WASD keycaps, however it turned out that not all of the
keycaps would fit the Blackwidow. Then I looked around further for modding
options, couldn't really find out how to. Final resort, forums! Also, I believe
the Keycaps are PBT plastic.  ;D
Title: Re: How does one make Keycaps black and glossy?
Post by: hazeluff on Mon, 13 August 2012, 06:39:16

My suggestion: Paint over them in a coat of black (enough to remove the legends) and then finish with some kinda varnish.
I build a lot of Gundams so I'd use this stuff:
(http://gwing-online.com/images/categories/Gloss.jpg)

I've had cans of black paint that were very shiny, so you might not even need to top it off, but it'd be good to protect the paint.

But its probably not wise to make "shiny" keys, since your fingers would wear out the finish/paint on it anyway.

What was wrong with your WASD keycaps?
Title: Re: How does one make Keycaps black and glossy?
Post by: Findecanor on Mon, 13 August 2012, 06:46:08
The keys are matte because of them having some texture. The texture is on purpose, to increase friction towards your fingertips and therefore key feel. People like Topre's because theirs is more pronounced.
I have a keyboard with some very shiny ABS keys. They are shiny because the keyboard is heavily worn, having been used every day for six-seven years. :-P

You can test whether a key is ABS or PBT with some acetone and a q-tip. Dip the q-tip in acetone and smear it on the inside of the key cap where you can not see. If there is a mark, then it is ABS. If the acetone just evaporates without leaving a mark, then it is PBT (or POM).
Title: Re: How does one make Keycaps black and glossy?
Post by: Knoughts on Mon, 13 August 2012, 06:59:45
Quote from: hazeluff on Mon, 13 August 2012, 06:39:16

My suggestion: Paint over them in a coat of black (enough to remove the legends) and then finish with some kinda varnish.
I build a lot of Gundams so I'd use this stuff:
Show Image
(http://gwing-online.com/images/categories/Gloss.jpg)


I've had cans of black paint that were very shiny, so you might not even need to top it off, but it'd be good to protect the paint.

But its probably not wise to make "shiny" keys, since your fingers would wear out the finish/paint on it anyway.

What was wrong with your WASD keycaps?
Seems legit!
Title: Re: How does one make Keycaps black and glossy?
Post by: Knoughts on Mon, 13 August 2012, 07:09:44
Hmm... I have taken a look around, that stuff seems pretty expensive for such a little task that i'm going to do.
I wonder if there are any cheaper alternatives :[
Title: Re: How does one make Keycaps black and glossy?
Post by: hazeluff on Tue, 14 August 2012, 12:36:21
Most keys are made with a matte/rough surface. "Shiny" keys is what happens when you start wearing them out.

Im sure their are other ways of applying some kind of "varnish" to your keys. If you go to some kinda craft store or hardware store, you might find something that does that. Obviously what I linked was kinda specific and probably not found everywhere.