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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: OnTheBrink on Thu, 28 March 2013, 13:52:51

Title: Vinyl Plate Wrap
Post by: OnTheBrink on Thu, 28 March 2013, 13:52:51
Anyone know of a vendor in stock? Also, is it possible to apply the wrap without taking apart the keyboard and attaching it just by removing the keys?
Title: Re: Vinyl Plate Wrap
Post by: Acetrak on Thu, 28 March 2013, 13:56:30
is it possible to apply the wrap without taking apart the keyboard and attaching it just by removing the keys?
I don't think you will be able to cover your whole case with the vinyl wrap without taking apart the case. You can probably cover most of it, but it'll look sloppy and increase your chance of getting bubbles.
Title: Re: Vinyl Plate Wrap
Post by: mashby on Thu, 28 March 2013, 14:03:39
Anyone know of a vendor in stock? Also, is it possible to apply the wrap without taking apart the keyboard and attaching it just by removing the keys?

Mimic-Cables showed an image of one that they might be selling at this link (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40655.0), but you're going to have to uninstall the plate in order to apply it.

Hope that helps!
Title: Re: Vinyl Plate Wrap
Post by: OnTheBrink on Thu, 28 March 2013, 14:55:43
Anyone know of a vendor in stock? Also, is it possible to apply the wrap without taking apart the keyboard and attaching it just by removing the keys?

Mimic-Cables showed an image of one that they might be selling at this link (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40655.0), but you're going to have to uninstall the plate in order to apply it.

Hope that helps!

Mimic is out of stock.
Title: Re: Vinyl Plate Wrap
Post by: SmallFry on Thu, 28 March 2013, 14:57:23
IIRC, he just laid out the vinyl and used an XActo knife to get it to how he wanted.
Title: Re: Vinyl Plate Wrap
Post by: The_Beast on Thu, 28 March 2013, 15:16:36
IIRC, he just laid out the vinyl and used an XActo knife to get it to how he wanted.

Nope, it was "printed" on a vinyl cutter

source: I helped him
Title: Re: Vinyl Plate Wrap
Post by: mashby on Thu, 28 March 2013, 17:06:21
Mimic is out of stock.

Well, he hasn't released it yet, so technically it's never been in stock. LOL!  :))
Title: Re: Vinyl Plate Wrap
Post by: OnTheBrink on Thu, 28 March 2013, 18:27:01
Mimic is out of stock.

Well, he hasn't released it yet, so technically it's never been in stock. LOL!  :))

If it is anything like their cables... I will wait for them to release it.
Title: Re: Vinyl Plate Wrap
Post by: SmallFry on Thu, 28 March 2013, 18:28:26
IIRC, he just laid out the vinyl and used an XActo knife to get it to how he wanted.

Nope, it was "printed" on a vinyl cutter

source: I helped him
Ah, interesting, not sure how one would line one of those bad boys up though.
Title: Re: Vinyl Plate Wrap
Post by: esoomenona on Thu, 28 March 2013, 18:58:43
What I assume he was asking is will you have to desolder all the switches or does this go around them?
Title: Re: Vinyl Plate Wrap
Post by: mistakemistake on Thu, 28 March 2013, 21:57:02
What I assume he was asking is will you have to desolder all the switches or does this go around them?

you would need to desolder first for sure. I actually just need to get my hands on a few plates first and get some more test fitting going. I'll probably get with beast again here soon and see if I can put something out for you guys.  as for applying the vinyl, it was pretty easy the first time. I used transfer tape and a tiny mist of distilled water.
Title: Re: Vinyl Plate Wrap
Post by: esoomenona on Thu, 28 March 2013, 22:03:54
Hmmmmm... I would think it would be better from a buyer's standpoint to NOT have to desolder. Can't it be engineered to go around the switches? This would be even better because if I wanted to switch colors, I could just pull it off, buy a new one and go.
Title: Re: Vinyl Plate Wrap
Post by: Skull_Angel on Thu, 28 March 2013, 22:32:00
Hmmmmm... I would think it would be better from a buyer's standpoint to NOT have to desolder. Can't it be engineered to go around the switches? This would be even better because if I wanted to switch colors, I could just pull it off, buy a new one and go.

I'm not sure that's possible w/o it ending up looking tacky by not fully covering visible parts of the plate around the switches; trying to apply it with the switches still installed could also lead to other problems if water (liquid) is needed to help apply it.
Title: Re: Vinyl Plate Wrap
Post by: OnTheBrink on Fri, 29 March 2013, 00:11:23
The vinyl plate sticker had the switch cut outs so you do not need to desoder.
Title: Re: Vinyl Plate Wrap
Post by: elton5354 on Fri, 29 March 2013, 00:19:40
The vinyl plate sticker had the switch cut outs so you do not need to desoder.

Yeah, but the switches are on top of the plate. The holes aren't big enough. You need to desolder to install the sticker then you put the switch on top of the sticker.