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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: trustinkiss on Wed, 27 May 2015, 14:48:11

Title: Anybody know how I can get this color by dyeing?
Post by: trustinkiss on Wed, 27 May 2015, 14:48:11
Hello,

I'm working on trying to find out how I can dye my keycaps to the color I want. I've been trying to mimic the colors of a past groupbuy on PMK (PimpMyKeyboard), the "Midnight Alpha Set." The colors that the designer of the set used were listed by him personally. Specifically I am trying to copy the same color as the modifier set in that groupbuy and the color is listed as "VCO" on the PMK site. [attach=1] is the color I am going for. How would I recreate this color on blank keycaps using keycap dyes like iDye Poly or All-Purpose Dylon? Should I try mixing green and yellow dyes or would leaving the dye in for less time in just green be effective? Any help would be much appreciated!

Also, a link to all the iDye Poly colors available is here:
http://www.jacquardproducts.com/idye.html
Title: Re: Anybody know how I can get this color by dyeing?
Post by: MellowFellow on Wed, 27 May 2015, 14:54:56
u shud.. post a link to the img. rather than have the readers download something.
otherwise no one will bother to answer your question.
Title: Re: Anybody know how I can get this color by dyeing?
Post by: trustinkiss on Wed, 27 May 2015, 15:00:36
Oh sorry, I wasn't sure how to link it. I think it should be fixed now
Title: Re: Anybody know how I can get this color by dyeing?
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 27 May 2015, 15:56:57
This is a good place to start:

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=35444.msg664178#msg664178 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=35444.msg664178#msg664178)
Title: Re: Anybody know how I can get this color by dyeing?
Post by: BlueNalgene on Wed, 27 May 2015, 16:16:11
Using the info on the link Fohat provided, I would use a mixture of iDye poly green and iDye poly turquoise.  Get your method correct before committing to dyeing your good caps.
Title: Re: Anybody know how I can get this color by dyeing?
Post by: Xowie on Wed, 27 May 2015, 18:11:38
Hello,

I'm working on trying to find out how I can dye my keycaps to the color I want. I've been trying to mimic the colors of a past groupbuy on PMK (PimpMyKeyboard), the "Midnight Alpha Set." The colors that the designer of the set used were listed by him personally. Specifically I am trying to copy the same color as the modifier set in that groupbuy and the color is listed as "VCO" on the PMK site. (Attachment Link) is the color I am going for. How would I recreate this color on blank keycaps using keycap dyes like iDye Poly or All-Purpose Dylon? Should I try mixing green and yellow dyes or would leaving the dye in for less time in just green be effective? Any help would be much appreciated!

Also, a link to all the iDye Poly colors available is here:
http://www.jacquardproducts.com/idye.html
I find that I am less disappointed if I go for general colors rather than specific shades. I would try out different mixtures in caps you do not care about (definitely of same material, preferably from same set).
Title: Re: Anybody know how I can get this color by dyeing?
Post by: trustinkiss on Wed, 27 May 2015, 22:03:25
Thank you guys for the links and the suggestions!

I had actually already done one set of keycaps before and I unfortunately did not get the results I had hoped for. I had mixed iDye Poly blue with yellow and let it sit for 15 minutes at around 80C approx, and I ended up with a forest green type of color. I did not have the smarts to test out a few keys at a time for the optimal results, but I went ahead and bought a new set of blanks to try again.

This time around I will:
-Make the dye solution in a separate container (like the link had suggested) and pour it in to the actual pot of water to get my final concentration. I will try this method this time because my attempt had given me some keys with splotchy dark spots of color and unevenness.
-Test the shades I get with different amounts of soaking time to find the exact shade I want
-Use a more diluted concentration because the author of the post provided in the link believed it would result in a more even color
-Try a few different color combinations
-Be more patient

Wish me luck!
Title: Re: Anybody know how I can get this color by dyeing?
Post by: berserkfan on Thu, 28 May 2015, 21:39:42

Wish me luck!

I don't wish you luck. I wish you perseverance, discipline and systematic organization.

Dyeing is easy to do.

Dyeing well is not easy to do at all. I very, very strongly suggest you get a lot of disposable blanks and test.