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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: rao2100 on Tue, 11 June 2013, 00:39:33

Title: Reduce Keycap friction
Post by: rao2100 on Tue, 11 June 2013, 00:39:33
I got a Desko set and it looks really nice =) (thanks tsangan)

Now due to the vintage nature of these caps some of them are shiny and cause friction when typing on them.

My question is how to reduce this friction. I have tried using talkum powder and kind of works.

Does anyone have a better idea?

Thanks.
Title: Re: Reduce Keycap friction
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 11 June 2013, 08:18:30
I would say clean them regularly.

I use powdered laundry detergent with a bit of Oxi-Clean or Biz added. A scant spoonful in a liter of hot water is plenty.

"Squeaky Clean" keys feel the best. Wash your hands often.
Title: Re: Reduce Keycap friction
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 12 June 2013, 21:27:08
I would say clean them regularly.

I use powdered laundry detergent with a bit of Oxi-Clean or Biz added. A scant spoonful in a liter of hot water is plenty.

"Squeaky Clean" keys feel the best. Wash your hands often.


Are you sure this isn't part of an OCD routine :D
Title: Re: Reduce Keycap friction
Post by: rao2100 on Thu, 13 June 2013, 03:22:18
Thanks for the tip fohat.digs.

I did clean them using detergent and then tooth paste. While the key cap looks squeaky clean, I still dont like the feel of it.
This is a mix pbt and abs ds caps set. Most of the caps that have this issue are the abs caps, only 1 pbt cap  have this issue.

For now I took out the 26 keys and using RA 2.0 instead until I can find a solution.

Will update with pics soon.

One solution would be to use the new pbt set that sherry is going to produce to fix the keys with issues.
Title: Re: Reduce Keycap friction
Post by: Broadmonkey on Mon, 17 June 2013, 03:21:38
There isn't really much you can do. I don't know how many people have experimented with sanding them rough again, but I reckon that would be one of the only ways of de-shining them. This is also why shiny key caps is often of low value compared to NIB keys.
alternatively you could maybe also use some adhesive film/foil with a rough surface, cut it to size and add it to the top of each key... or clear coat them in something that would give it a rough texture.
There is possibilities, but you will have to experiment.