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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: menuhin on Thu, 20 October 2016, 06:48:27

Title: Protection spray paint for ABS cap (to avoid 'shine' and wear)
Post by: menuhin on Thu, 20 October 2016, 06:48:27

There are keyboards in the past and now that I am letting them sit in storage because I don't want to create any wear and shine on their ABS key caps. I'm thinking if I can do anything like an invisible protective spray paint on these ABS caps so that the 'shine' can be avoided and I can rest my mind and start trying these keyboards out more often.

Has it been done before?

Title: Re: Protection spray paint for ABS cap (to avoid 'shine' and wear)
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 20 October 2016, 06:59:36

Just use them and get over it, embrace the shine.

Life shouldn't be this complicated. :P

But of all the coatings I've seen none have been very long lasting and only make things worse.

Title: Re: Protection spray paint for ABS cap (to avoid 'shine' and wear)
Post by: Data on Thu, 20 October 2016, 07:18:53

All coatings wear.  There isn't a clear coat you could put on a key cap that wouldn't wear off and look worse than if you'd just left it natural.

Title: Re: Protection spray paint for ABS cap (to avoid 'shine' and wear)
Post by: fohat.digs on Thu, 20 October 2016, 07:47:40

Quote from: Data on Thu, 20 October 2016, 07:18:53

All coatings wear. 

There isn't a clear coat you could put on a key cap that wouldn't wear off and look worse than if you'd just left it natural.

+ 1

And the disparity between the more worn ones and less worn ones will be amplified.

Title: Re: Protection spray paint for ABS cap (to avoid 'shine' and wear)
Post by: sinusoid on Thu, 20 October 2016, 08:04:05

There are a few things you can do, actually.

You can sandblast them with a very fine grit, deskthority thread here: https://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/keycap-sand-blasting-t12946-30.html

Or if you're fixed on coating them, there are some interesting two-part epoxy lacquers designed specifically for abrasion resistance, used for example in marine engineering. You should research, but here is one example: http://www.hempel.com/en/products/hempadur-15590

These should be overkill enough :)

ABS is reactive with solvents, though, so some resins can damage its surface. Make tests, pre-coat with acrylic, etc.