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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: gnusosa on Sat, 14 December 2013, 14:11:30

Title: How can I paint Thinkpad keycaps?
Post by: gnusosa on Sat, 14 December 2013, 14:11:30
Is there any how-to? or thread about the topic?
I just want to paint the keycaps into other colors, and if possible remove the letters from the keycaps. :-\

I can't seem to find any information regarding this topic. I know it's not recommend to type on a laptop without a real keyboard, but I find myself away from my keyboards too often. I would like too see my Thinkpads without feeling disgusted at their non-colorful keyboards.

Title: Re: How can I paint Thinkpad keycaps?
Post by: MKULTRA on Sat, 14 December 2013, 15:31:10
I wouldn't really recommend it.  Overall painting keycaps is just a bad idea.  It wears off and gets all gross and stuff.  Isn't the simplicity and business look of the Thinkpad one of its selling points lol?
Title: Re: How can I paint Thinkpad keycaps?
Post by: Pacifist on Sat, 14 December 2013, 15:34:51
badwrench uses automobile paint for the final coat
Title: Re: How can I paint Thinkpad keycaps?
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 14 December 2013, 16:12:10
Stickers?
Title: Re: How can I paint Thinkpad keycaps?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sat, 14 December 2013, 16:15:40
Quote from: Pacifist on Sat, 14 December 2013, 15:34:51
badwrench uses automobile paint for the final coat

On laptop keys?
Title: Re: How can I paint Thinkpad keycaps?
Post by: gnusosa on Sun, 15 December 2013, 18:08:12
Quote from: Pacifist on Sat, 14 December 2013, 15:34:51
badwrench uses automobile paint for the final coat

Wait wat? really? Is there a thread of this?
Title: Re: How can I paint Thinkpad keycaps?
Post by: Pacifist on Sun, 15 December 2013, 18:12:31
he told me in PM. not for laptop keys, but for regular keys to make them last forever. he just puts on nail polish and then a coat of clear car paint. he's got a couple year old wasd cluster with that paint on and he says they look the same as the day he made it.
Title: Re: How can I paint Thinkpad keycaps?
Post by: SUPER432 on Fri, 20 December 2013, 20:55:28
Quote from: gnusosa on Sat, 14 December 2013, 14:11:30
I just want to paint the keycaps into other colors, and if possible remove the letters from the keycaps. :-\

You mean like this? Don't ask, I have no clue how it was done (especially the red ESC key). Found the pics on a Korean thinkpad site, wish I could just buy a set of caps like this!
Title: Re: How can I paint Thinkpad keycaps?
Post by: terran5992 on Fri, 20 December 2013, 21:55:12
Quote from: SUPER432 on Fri, 20 December 2013, 20:55:28
Quote from: gnusosa on Sat, 14 December 2013, 14:11:30
I just want to paint the keycaps into other colors, and if possible remove the letters from the keycaps. :-\

You mean like this? Don't ask, I have no clue how it was done (especially the red ESC key). Found the pics on a Korean thinkpad site, wish I could just buy a set of caps like this!

Looks like it was spray painted
Title: Re: How can I paint Thinkpad keycaps?
Post by: PointyFox on Fri, 20 December 2013, 22:07:14
Quote from: terran5992 on Fri, 20 December 2013, 21:55:12
Quote from: SUPER432 on Fri, 20 December 2013, 20:55:28
Quote from: gnusosa on Sat, 14 December 2013, 14:11:30
I just want to paint the keycaps into other colors, and if possible remove the letters from the keycaps. :-\

You mean like this? Don't ask, I have no clue how it was done (especially the red ESC key). Found the pics on a Korean thinkpad site, wish I could just buy a set of caps like this!

Looks like it was spray painted

Ditto.  Has a spray painted look.
Title: Re: How can I paint Thinkpad keycaps?
Post by: SUPER432 on Fri, 20 December 2013, 22:51:53
Quote from: PointyFox on Fri, 20 December 2013, 22:07:14
Quote from: terran5992 on Fri, 20 December 2013, 21:55:12
Quote from: SUPER432 on Fri, 20 December 2013, 20:55:28
Quote from: gnusosa on Sat, 14 December 2013, 14:11:30
I just want to paint the keycaps into other colors, and if possible remove the letters from the keycaps. :-\

You mean like this? Don't ask, I have no clue how it was done (especially the red ESC key). Found the pics on a Korean thinkpad site, wish I could just buy a set of caps like this!

Looks like it was spray painted

Ditto.  Has a spray painted look.

I imagine some work went into sanding off the key legends as well, otherwise they'd be visible through the paint layer. And the red ESC key - stencil/spraypaint?