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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: monojira on Thu, 16 March 2017, 04:24:46

Title: Hydro Dipping / Water Transfer Printing Keycaps
Post by: monojira on Thu, 16 March 2017, 04:24:46

So I've been having the idea of hydro dipping some of my spare spacebars to give them a new appeal.

Online you find many tutorials and it seems to be an affordable and interesting way to modify your gear. I understand that most people here that did hydro dipping probably did so to their casing and not to the caps themselves.

One guide I found mentioned that of all plastics, ABS is the savest to use as it will keep the paint without flaming off the plastic.

I think I'd be pretty much good to go to give it a try but before I do I have two questions:

- Would you sand the caps lightly before dipping?
- What would be a good, not too glossy spray finish to protect the print? I was thinking of standard clear finish as you would get it for general paint projects / miniatures but I want to avoid a surface that is too smooth or glossy.

I definitely want to experiment around and test durability of the paint.

Title: Re: Hydro Dipping / Water Transfer Printing Keycaps
Post by: TalkingTree on Thu, 16 March 2017, 05:31:14

Quote from: monojira on Thu, 16 March 2017, 04:24:46

- Would you sand the caps lightly before dipping?
- What would be a good, not too glossy spray finish to protect the print? I was thinking of standard clear finish as you would get it for general paint projects / miniatures but I want to avoid a surface that is too smooth or glossy.

The YouTube tutorials I've watched recommend to meticulously clean the plastic surface before dipping. No finish of sorts was used in the process.

Title: Re: Hydro Dipping / Water Transfer Printing Keycaps
Post by: monojira on Thu, 16 March 2017, 05:34:49

Quote from: TalkingTree on Thu, 16 March 2017, 05:31:14

The YouTube tutorials I've watched recommend to meticulously clean the plastic surface before dipping. No finish of sorts was used in the process.

Hmm yes that confirms what I've been hearing too. Just soap + dry before applying the paint. I do feel like I want to add a finish for savety. I am definitely going to give it a try soon and do some testing.
I could try to get a decent comparison over 2-3 months w/ and w/o finish.

Title: Re: Hydro Dipping / Water Transfer Printing Keycaps
Post by: TalkingTree on Thu, 16 March 2017, 06:19:09

I don't know where in the world you live but this gentleman in Spain (http://www.ebay.it/usr/hydra_wtp?_trksid=p2047675.l2559) has some good offers.
Please show your results.

Title: Re: Hydro Dipping / Water Transfer Printing Keycaps
Post by: UsualSuspectXXX on Fri, 17 March 2017, 21:46:55

Would love to see how this turns out. Some hydrodipped caps could be really cool.