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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: stancato9 on Sun, 22 September 2013, 15:13:17

Title: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: stancato9 on Sun, 22 September 2013, 15:13:17
Just got a Poker 2 and the keycaps are already getting shiny after 3 days of use. What is going on?
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: Defying on Sun, 22 September 2013, 15:16:35
Can you post a picture?  :-\
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: stancato9 on Sun, 22 September 2013, 15:19:41
Can you post a picture?  :-\

No method currently. But my D key as well as a few others look glossy and shiny already..
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: eth0s on Sun, 22 September 2013, 15:36:18
Can you post a picture?  :-\

No method currently. But my D key as well as a few others look glossy and shiny already..

Here are the only possible explanations:

1.  You had greasy fingers.

2.  You introduced something greasy or oily onto the keys.

3.  You do not actually have PBT keycaps.  Either you, or the person who sold you the keyboard was mistaken, and you really got ABS.
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: stancato9 on Sun, 22 September 2013, 15:51:37
Can you post a picture?  :-\

No method currently. But my D key as well as a few others look glossy and shiny already..

Here are the only possible explanations:

1.  You had greasy fingers.

2.  You introduced something greasy or oily onto the keys.

3.  You do not actually have PBT keycaps.  Either you are the person who sold you the keyboard was mistaken, and you really got ABS.

Greasy fingers wouldn't do it that fast.. I just tested it on a spare key and grease wipes off.

And it's a poker 2 with stock keycaps.. They are in fact PBT.
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: keymaster on Sun, 22 September 2013, 15:55:43
Are you sure they're getting shiny? It could be the lighting in your room. Also, if they are laser etched, it may be wearing off. However, PBT keycaps definitely don't shine after a few days. It would take years of vigorous use for PBT to even begin to shine.
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: stancato9 on Sun, 22 September 2013, 15:59:26
Are you sure they're getting shiny? It could be the lighting in your room. Also, if they are laser etched, it may be wearing off. However, PBT keycaps definitely don't shine after a few days. It would take years of vigorous use for PBT to even begin to shine.

Checked from a bunch of angles it is shiny for sure. The matte texture is gone and its replaced by a darker, shiny colour that is smooth to the touch. This is quite disappointing..
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: Defying on Sun, 22 September 2013, 15:59:52
I honestly can't see any real reason for new PBT caps to shine. There is no way they are shining unless there is an oil/grease on them, or if it was really ABS.  :confused:
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: Photekq on Sun, 22 September 2013, 16:00:59
If they are in fact shiny they simply cannot be PBT, so either you're seeing things or they're ABS. ABS doesn't even shine anywhere near that quickly, so I honestly can't see how they could be shiny already even if they were ABS.
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: stancato9 on Sun, 22 September 2013, 16:07:04
Well they are poker 2 stock caps that are PBT.

It can't be grease or anything like that because I don't eat at the computer or touch my computer equipment before washing my hands.

Well, I give up maybe I have acid fingers or it came like that and I didn't notice. Who knows.
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: kenmai9 on Sun, 22 September 2013, 16:08:34
Well they are poker 2 stock caps that are PBT.

It can't be grease or anything like that because I don't eat at the computer or touch my computer equipment before washing my hands.

Well, I give up maybe I have acid fingers or it came like that and I didn't notice. Who knows.

Acid fingers would be an awesome super power.
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: Reomero on Sun, 22 September 2013, 17:57:43
I find that hard to believe, TBH. :p

If only you can post pics.. :-X
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: Tym on Sun, 22 September 2013, 18:01:36
Wash 'em? Could be some crap which got on them in transit?

Bowl of soap water + good scrub = Profit?
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 22 September 2013, 19:01:44
Wash indeed!  That will quickly tell whether it is just some artificially introduced substance, or whether they are really shining.

Try denture tabs.
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: eth0s on Sun, 22 September 2013, 19:14:58
Wash indeed!  That will quickly tell whether it is just some artificially introduced substance, or whether they are really shining.

Try denture tabs.

Or pull caps and wash in soap and water in a bucket.

If they are still shiny and feeling greasy after being washed, then they are used ABS.  You got scammed is all I can say.  You did not get new PBT.
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: metalliqaz on Sun, 22 September 2013, 19:43:01
PBT caps can indeed get shiny.  But in 3 days, It just doesn't seem possible.  Most likely dirty.  Or they are actually another kind of keycap, as others have mentioned.
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: stancato9 on Sun, 22 September 2013, 20:20:58
Wash indeed!  That will quickly tell whether it is just some artificially introduced substance, or whether they are really shining.

Try denture tabs.

Or pull caps and wash in soap and water in a bucket.

If they are still shiny and feeling greasy after being washed, then they are used ABS.  You got scammed is all I can say.  You did not get new PBT.

Lol..got scammed by qtan right? When buying a new Poker 2


Anyways I washed the caps with soap and it did nothing. Tried rubbing alcohol and the shine was still there.

It's not a huge deal I have a new set on the way. Just a little concerning.
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sun, 22 September 2013, 20:26:17
You should really try to post some pictures. And qtan is a very reputable seller.
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: metalliqaz on Sun, 22 September 2013, 20:43:36
qTan is reputable, but the Poker has been known to come with all manner of different keys.
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sun, 22 September 2013, 20:44:31
qTan is reputable, but the Poker has been known to come with all manner of different keys.

The poker 2? This is the first I've heard of anyone having problems with the stock key caps.
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 22 September 2013, 20:49:56
I haven't even heard of ABS going shiny after a few days.

The EK green set I am using now I have had for over a week, with a reasonable amount of usage, and even the space bar has absolutely no shine.
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sun, 22 September 2013, 20:53:00
I haven't even heard of ABS going shiny after a few days.

The EK green set I am using now I have had for over a week, with a reasonable amount of usage, and even the space bar has absolutely no shine.

How are you liking those?
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 22 September 2013, 21:06:54
I haven't even heard of ABS going shiny after a few days.

The EK green set I am using now I have had for over a week, with a reasonable amount of usage, and even the space bar has absolutely no shine.

How are you liking those?

The contrast was way to low in the cave I work in, and I couldn't read the legends.

Now I have a LED lamp pointed at the keyboard and it has really brought the colour of the keycaps out, as well as making the legends clearer (although I had a few goes at positioning the lamp so the light did not reflect of the pad printing).

With the white light on them they are a really bright apple green - really nice actually!

(http://i.imgur.com/fxEXxRK.jpg)
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: MKULTRA on Mon, 23 September 2013, 00:32:27
I haven't even heard of ABS going shiny after a few days.

The EK green set I am using now I have had for over a week, with a reasonable amount of usage, and even the space bar has absolutely no shine.

How are you liking those?

The contrast was way to low in the cave I work in, and I couldn't read the legends.

Now I have a LED lamp pointed at the keyboard and it has really brought the colour of the keycaps out, as well as making the legends clearer (although I had a few goes at positioning the lamp so the light did not reflect of the pad printing).

With the white light on them they are a really bright apple green - really nice actually!

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/fxEXxRK.jpg)

Am I the only one who doesn't flip their spacebar wtf?
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 23 September 2013, 00:36:46
I haven't even heard of ABS going shiny after a few days.

The EK green set I am using now I have had for over a week, with a reasonable amount of usage, and even the space bar has absolutely no shine.

How are you liking those?
The contrast was way to low in the cave I work in, and I couldn't read the legends.

Now I have a LED lamp pointed at the keyboard and it has really brought the colour of the keycaps out, as well as making the legends clearer (although I had a few goes at positioning the lamp so the light did not reflect of the pad printing).

With the white light on them they are a really bright apple green - really nice actually!

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/fxEXxRK.jpg)


Am I the only one who doesn't flip their spacebar wtf?

I am trying this for the first time, although as these are OEM profile the difference is not too noticable.

I am eagerly anticipating the arrival of a Cherry profile set of two in the not too distant future - I will try again then.
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: terrpn on Mon, 23 September 2013, 09:46:01
You should really try to post some pictures. And qtan is a very reputable seller.

ditto..........

if you can not post pictures to support your claim to the community then we cannot help

we would like to help you, however none of us have ever experienced what you are claiming- PBT or even ABS in the time frame you are referring too

........and to boot there is a reputable seller, member of the community that you have connected to selling something other than described that you in good faith should clear
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: Hyde on Mon, 23 September 2013, 10:11:18
Well they are poker 2 stock caps that are PBT.

It can't be grease or anything like that because I don't eat at the computer or touch my computer equipment before washing my hands.

Well, I give up maybe I have acid fingers or it came like that and I didn't notice. Who knows.
Acid fingers would be an awesome super power.

Not very awesome for his g/f lol.

That or maybe he type with all his fury and might.  Hulk fingers.
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: llovro on Mon, 23 September 2013, 10:27:57
pour some water into a glass and add some salt. Throw one keycap from your poker into it. If it sinks it's pbt. If it stays on the top or sinks very slowly it's abs. This is how you'll know what keycaps you really have.
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: ComradeSniper on Mon, 23 September 2013, 23:10:05
pour some water into a glass and add some salt. Throw one keycap from your poker into it. If it sinks it's pbt. If it stays on the top or sinks very slowly it's abs. This is how you'll know what keycaps you really have.

I've never heard of this test, that's awesome.
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: jonathanyu on Mon, 23 September 2013, 23:54:12
pour some water into a glass and add some salt. Throw one keycap from your poker into it. If it sinks it's pbt. If it stays on the top or sinks very slowly it's abs. This is how you'll know what keycaps you really have.

I've never heard of this test, that's awesome.
There is a video on youtube, and it's work.  POM will also sink.
Title: Re: Why are my PBT Caps getting Shiny after a Few Days?!
Post by: pichu23 on Tue, 24 September 2013, 11:19:37
I'm using the stock keycaps from the Poker II. IT doesn't "Shine" but the font tends to turn dirty. Maybe that's what you meant. Not too sure. Might get a spray and just spray dem fonts :D