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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: berserkfan on Fri, 21 March 2014, 12:17:24

Title: Golden Backlit Keycaps - can we make our own?
Post by: berserkfan on Fri, 21 March 2014, 12:17:24: Recently I was inspired by the Ducky Gold edition
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=52783.0;topicseen

I went online and found http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?id=37511758644&ali_trackid=2:mm_34245052_4136440_13472890,0:1395304104_6k1_1840741012&clk1=ce7ee68cdea5356f5e48b0516adbbae5&spm=a3300.2167489.5634677.8.maxtVd

Golden keycaps for backlit keyboards, about USD45 without shipping and proxying.

I personally think a golden keyboard with golden keycaps is going to be really, really awesome.

But has anyone actually bought the golden keycap set yet? (This is not MKC zinc; I don't understand the technique.)

Would very much like to see reviews of that particular keyset. I am wary of buying because it might not be lasting.

Also, has anyone ever tried painting his backlit keycaps before? Does it work?

If no one has tried this out or is interested in trying this out, I will probably buy a cheapo set (eg Razer) and experiment on it with gold paint. I suspect what is needed is to put an additional acrylic layer over that gold paint so that it doesn't flake and get on my fingers. Anyone with advice or experiences, please share!

And there is also the question of how to preserve the legends on the backlit keycap if I'm going to spray gold paint. Thus far the only idea I have is to cut some masking tape and paste it over the legends before spraying, but it's not going to be easy.
Title: Re: Golden Backlit Keycaps - can we make our own?
Post by: Lastpilot on Fri, 21 March 2014, 12:24:49: (http://i.imgur.com/eIEi9s6.png)

Given that the current ducky caps use "water transfer printing" on their backlit caps to paint them, I think it would be very difficult to do an at-home paint job of backlit caps. Legends need to be very precise ><
Title: Re: Golden Backlit Keycaps - can we make our own?
Post by: berserkfan on Fri, 21 March 2014, 13:10:10: Quote from: Lastpilot on Fri, 21 March 2014, 12:24:49
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/eIEi9s6.png)

Given that the current ducky caps use "water transfer printing" on their backlit caps to paint them, I think it would be very difficult to do an at-home paint job of backlit caps. Legends need to be very precise ><

That's the biggest problem. Preserving the legends on a backlit set. But I'm sure most people are tired of boring old black and white backlit keycaps.

One alternative is watercolor with acrylic layer on top. Watercolor is translucent. In fact if using watercolor, I will probably risk my Deck keycaps.
Title: Re: Golden Backlit Keycaps - can we make our own?
Post by: goonx on Fri, 21 March 2014, 13:38:58: gold + gold might be too cliche.... gold + silver would be nice though

besides that, most gold paint has metal based, you you also need keycaps that are "windowed" with the LED.

Difficult to do at home.

I would just buy the $45 set
Title: Re: Golden Backlit Keycaps - can we make our own?
Post by: berserkfan on Fri, 21 March 2014, 21:28:02: Quote from: goonx on Fri, 21 March 2014, 13:38:58
gold + gold might be too cliche.... gold + silver would be nice though

besides that, most gold paint has metal based, you you also need keycaps that are "windowed" with the LED.

Difficult to do at home.

I would just buy the $45 set

I would also buy that $45 set... if I can be sure that it is reasonably lasting.

Don't want something wearing off within a few weeks. Some lousy keycaps do just that.
Title: Re: Golden Backlit Keycaps - can we make our own?
Post by: Txduck on Sat, 22 March 2014, 05:21:12: Hey berserk that would really be unique! I just bought a Ducky Gold Edition. I'm sure that would be a pretty devil. I'd like to see a picture of the finished product! :thumb:
Title: Re: Golden Backlit Keycaps - can we make our own?
Post by: cherpalla on Sun, 23 March 2014, 09:44:35: I have no reason to want them, but I want them. My only question is why can't we find single color Jelly POM sets. :'(
Title: Re: Golden Backlit Keycaps - can we make our own?
Post by: Noko on Sun, 23 March 2014, 09:51:14: Wow, I expected from the description that those would look really tacky.. but they're actually really nice looking :O
Title: Re: Golden Backlit Keycaps - can we make our own?
Post by: Razor Lotus on Mon, 24 March 2014, 14:59:47: is anyone gonna get them?

I feel like getting them but I can't seem to find any reviews
Title: Re: Golden Backlit Keycaps - can we make our own?
Post by: berserkfan on Mon, 24 March 2014, 17:16:48: Quote from: Razor Lotus on Mon, 24 March 2014, 14:59:47
is anyone gonna get them?

I feel like getting them but I can't seem to find any reviews

HEH Exactly.

When it comes to things like these, I'd rather let other people be the guinea pigs. Remember that some manufacturers don't do a good job. I don't want to buy and later find that the gold paint on the keycaps was actually toxic mercury or something, and that I have an increased cancer risk.