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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: jiggityjane on Tue, 15 October 2013, 14:00:52

Title: Hydrographic patterns
Post by: jiggityjane on Tue, 15 October 2013, 14:00:52
Has anyone ever thought of using the hydrographic method to coat keycaps?

Might be a bit pricey but if it's possible you could get all kinds of patterns on there, plus you might be able to put some of your crappier looking key caps to good use  :))
Title: Re: Hydrographic patterns
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 15 October 2013, 14:02:33
It has been mentioned in a few threads but I'm not sure if anyone has done it.
Title: Re: Hydrographic patterns
Post by: Lu_e on Wed, 16 October 2013, 00:00:04
I was about to do it to a QFR case. The guy quoted me $40-50 which included prepping/sanding/base-coating etc. but not shipping. I can give anyone his contact info just PM me if you want to get some graphics done! Not sure how durable caps would be. I forgot to ask him if any finishing coat is used.

Here are some of the patterns I almost did on a case;

https://www.liquidconcepts.com/shop/animal/san-001-50cm/
https://www.liquidconcepts.com/shop/animal/san-042-1m/
https://www.liquidconcepts.com/shop/films/swg-232-1m/

xD
www.liquidconcepts.com/shop/abstract/sad-496-1m/

Imagine a plate and case both done... could be really cool; wood plate anyone?. The graphics look really life like.

some of his work;

(http://i.imgur.com/cY9Okd2.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/2cWHJxP.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/WFUQXPx.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/qvGKvdX.jpg)
thats a motorcycle disk brake caliper incase anyone didnt know.
Title: Re: Hydrographic patterns
Post by: Oobly on Wed, 16 October 2013, 05:23:31
Wow! Those bike parts look awesome!

I guess it could work if you make a mount for the keys or dip the whole keyboard. Can do a whole set of keys at once... Will have to line it up really well and do it super carefully so they don't misalign, though.

I was also thinking about doing thermal transfers using laser printed images on baking paper, but it's not easy and prone to partial transfers. This looks to be a better option.

There is a clear finishing coat applied, according to their site: "Finally, a clear coat is applied to enhance and protect the finish. This coat can be matte, glossy, or satin, and helps to protect the finish from all sorts of damage. It’s about as durable as the clear coating used in automotive finishes."

The first thing I thought of when I saw the thread title was swirl painting: http://theswirling.com/Tutorials/BoraxMethod/SwirlingYourGuitar.aspx

That could work, too, if you just want a nice retro pattern on the caps.
Title: Re: Hydrographic patterns
Post by: terran5992 on Wed, 16 October 2013, 06:11:00
0.o looks like car parts
Title: Re: Hydrographic patterns
Post by: jiggityjane on Wed, 16 October 2013, 07:36:19
Quote from: Lu_e on Wed, 16 October 2013, 00:00:04
...

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/cY9Okd2.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/2cWHJxP.jpg)

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

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

thats a motorcycle disk brake caliper incase anyone didnt know.

That's amazing, I would love to see the pics of your case when it's done!

I wonder if a GB could be arranged for multiple cases...  ;D
Title: Re: Hydrographic patterns
Post by: terran5992 on Wed, 16 October 2013, 07:43:16
Quote from: jiggityjane on Wed, 16 October 2013, 07:36:19
Quote from: Lu_e on Wed, 16 October 2013, 00:00:04
...

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/cY9Okd2.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/2cWHJxP.jpg)

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

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

thats a motorcycle disk brake caliper incase anyone didnt know.

That's amazing, I would love to see the pics of your case when it's done!

I wonder if a GB could be arranged for multiple cases...  ;D

I dont see enough intrest  in this for a group buy
Title: Re: Hydrographic patterns
Post by: Krogenar on Wed, 16 October 2013, 09:48:28
Quote from: jiggityjane on Tue, 15 October 2013, 14:00:52
Has anyone ever thought of using the hydrographic method to coat keycaps?

Might be a bit pricey but if it's possible you could get all kinds of patterns on there, plus you might be able to put some of your crappier looking key caps to good use  :))

I've thought about it -- whenever I see keyboards like this in stores:

[attach=1]

I figured that's got to be done via hydrographics OR maybe a printing method that holds the entire keyboard and keys together as a set. Most of these keyboards look to have a chicklet sort of key, so that the graphics aren't thrown off by the topography of a keyboard with, I dunno, more "vertical" profiles? But I think it could work so long as the image you're transferring isn't too complex. Maybe a repeating pattern, dollar signs, skulls, etc.

Also, the above keyboard's imagery is pretty distracting, no?

I don't know of anyone who has done it yet, but they sell kits for people who want to camo up their guns, so give it a shot.
Title: Re: Hydrographic patterns
Post by: Lu_e on Wed, 16 October 2013, 18:52:04
Quote from: Oobly on Wed, 16 October 2013, 05:23:31
I guess it could work if you make a mount for the keys or dip the whole keyboard. Can do a whole set of keys at once... Will have to line it up really well and do it super carefully so they don't misalign, though.

Also, the surface needs to have a certain color (based on the graphic chosen) base-coat applied. & if that requires sanding.... holy labor batman.