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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: MJL on Mon, 24 October 2016, 04:46:36

Title: Navy PBT with white legends: any suggestions to reduce dirt build up?
Post by: MJL on Mon, 24 October 2016, 04:46:36

I gather the impression from postings that the white laser etched legends on the Leopold navy PBT key caps attract dirt quickly. I've been searching the web and apparently the laser edge white legends onto a dark PBT results in somewhat porous legends which traps dirt.

The quest is now how to prevent dirt being trapped. I thought about some clear coating but eventually it will wear through and also it is non-reversible. I have in the past coated electronic components in clear nail polish and this might work: put it on and then wipe the remainder off, even with a cloth lightly dampened in acetone: the porous parts should retain sufficient nail polish to prevent dirt getting trapped in large quantities.

Another possible solution came up when I washed and waxed my car: why not use some high end car sealant (modern car paints are actually porous to some extend and only the undercoat seals properly....).

Has anyone experimented along these lines and/or has another feasible idea?

Thanks!
 

Title: Re: Navy PBT with white legends: any suggestions to reduce dirt build up?
Post by: Pennyz on Sat, 29 October 2016, 22:20:48

Paint or glue sealing it, I think it will lead to speed up the keycap become greasy.

Title: Re: Navy PBT with white legends: any suggestions to reduce dirt build up?
Post by: Corsa1r on Sat, 29 October 2016, 22:52:41

This is the exact reason I opted to get navy blanks with my Leopold FC660M. I can't imagine how terrible dirt and wear on pad-printed caps would be (that usually come on FC660Ms).  Yuck. At least you have laser-etched!

Title: Re: Navy PBT with white legends: any suggestions to reduce dirt build up?
Post by: MJL on Mon, 31 October 2016, 17:45:09

Just as well that I bought the grey-blue sub-dye keycaps set made by Leopold. Lightly rubbing with the top of my fingernail on the original top printed keycaps pushed the windows legend down (was slightly raised) and it went shiny. A sure sign that the legends will wear quickly and do not last. Somehow the dye-sub keycaps feel different, I like them a lot. As I wrote in my FC660M mini-review the two red led lights (insert key and cap locks key) are too bright so I used the non-windowed keycaps for that. It did not take long for this keyboard to come my most favorite of all times since I started using computers in 1982.

Title: Re: Navy PBT with white legends: any suggestions to reduce dirt build up?
Post by: Puddsy on Mon, 31 October 2016, 20:35:10

wash your hands often and just maintain general cleanliness

helps my keyboards stay clean more than anything else really

Title: Re: Navy PBT with white legends: any suggestions to reduce dirt build up?
Post by: MJL on Mon, 31 October 2016, 22:22:39

Quote from: TacticalStache on Mon, 31 October 2016, 20:35:10

wash your hands often and just maintain general cleanliness

helps my keyboards stay clean more than anything else really

I have seen this remark before but I have OCD about keeping stuff clean due to having no immune system.

I'm locking this thread.