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Author Topic: Remove keycap labels  (Read 6983 times)

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Offline Zergreth

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  • Posts: 14
Remove keycap labels
« on: Mon, 21 May 2012, 09:49:34 »
Hey geekhack!

I came here a while ago to get recommendations on my first mechanical keyboard - which I still have! A Cherry G80-3000LQC with MX Clears (actually, now that I think about it, there was no review on Clears when I bought that; has that changed? If not, I shall write one). Love them. Anyway, I'd really like to have blank keycaps, but don't have the money to buy them and also don't exactly see the point. I'm guessing I can somehow remove the labels on my keycaps, right? They're also somewhat bumpy, so I thought I could do that without even damaging the caps themselves. The question is, what's the best approach to that? I really don't want to damage them in the process. Any efficient and also possibly easy ways out there for the job?


Regards
« Last Edit: Mon, 21 May 2012, 10:20:34 by Zergreth »
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Offline Tony

  • Posts: 1189
Remove keycap labels
« Reply #1 on: Mon, 21 May 2012, 10:30:49 »
Use it heavily, then the keycap label will fade anyway. You could use a sandpaper to fasten the process, but your fingers are more handy.
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Keyboard: Filco MJ1 104 brown, Filco MJ2 87 brown, Compaq MX11800, Noppoo Choc Brown/Blue/Red, IBM Model M 1996, CMStorm Quickfire Rapid Black
Layout: Colemak experience, speed of 67wpm

Offline Zergreth

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Remove keycap labels
« Reply #2 on: Mon, 21 May 2012, 10:35:36 »
I've registered here in July 2009, which means I got the keyboard shortly after.. I guess. I'm on the computer a lot, so this has been used often and very heavily (hardcore gaming included) - not even WASD are wearing off yet. Also, I believe sand paper would also leave marks on the caps themselves.
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Offline Tony

  • Posts: 1189
Remove keycap labels
« Reply #3 on: Mon, 21 May 2012, 10:38:05 »
Do you touch type? If so, then you almost don't look at the keycaps anyway, so whether they are blank or not doesn't matter.
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Keyboard: Filco MJ1 104 brown, Filco MJ2 87 brown, Compaq MX11800, Noppoo Choc Brown/Blue/Red, IBM Model M 1996, CMStorm Quickfire Rapid Black
Layout: Colemak experience, speed of 67wpm

Offline Zergreth

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Remove keycap labels
« Reply #4 on: Mon, 21 May 2012, 10:39:56 »
It does a bit because, as I said, the labels are somewhat bumpy. That has been bugging me for a while lately. Also, you've got to admit, it is somewhat cool to show off on a keyboard with blank caps :D
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Offline Djuzuh

  • Posts: 1127
Remove keycap labels
« Reply #5 on: Mon, 21 May 2012, 10:40:46 »
why don't you buy a blank set? :o
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Offline Zergreth

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Remove keycap labels
« Reply #6 on: Mon, 21 May 2012, 10:42:31 »
Quote from: Djuzuh;597062
why don't you buy a blank set? :o

.
Quote from: Zergreth;597049
[...] don't have the money to buy them [...]
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Offline Tony

  • Posts: 1189
Remove keycap labels
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 21 May 2012, 10:43:30 »
Sandpapered keycaps are ugly and more bumpy. You have to save some money to get blank or Ninja keycaps.

If you can't get what you want, then learn to be happy with what you have.
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Keyboard: Filco MJ1 104 brown, Filco MJ2 87 brown, Compaq MX11800, Noppoo Choc Brown/Blue/Red, IBM Model M 1996, CMStorm Quickfire Rapid Black
Layout: Colemak experience, speed of 67wpm

Offline Zergreth

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Remove keycap labels
« Reply #8 on: Mon, 21 May 2012, 10:49:48 »
Quote from: Tony;597067
If you can't get what you want, then learn to be happy with what you have.


No offense, but I'm really not asking for opinions here. I'm perfectly happy with what I have, but that doesn't mean I should not go for anything else. I know that sandpaper will damage the caps, which is why I was asking if there was an alternative way.

People who don't strive for things they'd like just because they're already happy don't get anywhere, you know?
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Offline IvanIvanovich

  • Mr. Silk Underwear
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Remove keycap labels
« Reply #9 on: Mon, 21 May 2012, 10:59:49 »
If you have the white version with PBT you could just dye them black. Not much to be done with the pom black caps I don't think. Post a wtt thread in classifieds maybe? You never know someone might have blanks that would want pom keys.
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Offline andrewpsy

  • Posts: 25
Remove keycap labels
« Reply #10 on: Mon, 21 May 2012, 21:57:45 »
Zergreth, I've tried to remove print from Ninja keycaps and failed. I've only used different kinds of sandpapers(1200, 600, 400 grit) the result looks horrible.
I don't recommend you to try sandpaper on your own. We probably need special chemical solution to do the job.
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Filco Ninja 104 | HHKB Pro 2 Blank | Filco Ninja 87 | Filco Ninja 104 | HHKB pro 2 Blank Type-S

Offline laffindude

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Remove keycap labels
« Reply #11 on: Mon, 21 May 2012, 22:42:55 »
Chemicals won't do it. The legend is made by lasering. They're not infilled with paint.
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Offline Zergreth

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Remove keycap labels
« Reply #12 on: Tue, 22 May 2012, 00:21:38 »
That's looking great, I'll give that a shot :) Thanks.
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Offline andrewpsy

  • Posts: 25
Remove keycap labels
« Reply #13 on: Tue, 22 May 2012, 02:07:18 »
Sorry for the horrible picture but you get the idea.
See the arrow keys? I tried sandpaper on them and failed.
Then I tried isopropyl alcohol on several other keys like "ScrollLock".
Complete disaster.
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Filco Ninja 104 | HHKB Pro 2 Blank | Filco Ninja 87 | Filco Ninja 104 | HHKB pro 2 Blank Type-S

Offline andrewpsy

  • Posts: 25
Remove keycap labels
« Reply #14 on: Tue, 22 May 2012, 02:11:54 »
Ripster, I hereby officially admit you are #1 expert.
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Filco Ninja 104 | HHKB Pro 2 Blank | Filco Ninja 87 | Filco Ninja 104 | HHKB pro 2 Blank Type-S

Offline Zergreth

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Remove keycap labels
« Reply #15 on: Tue, 22 May 2012, 04:44:45 »
That really doesn't look nice. Thanks for the picture. Ripster's sand blasting thread doesn't look too bad though, so I'll probably end up trying it.
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Offline andrewpsy

  • Posts: 25
Remove keycap labels
« Reply #16 on: Tue, 22 May 2012, 05:07:57 »
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Filco Ninja 104 | HHKB Pro 2 Blank | Filco Ninja 87 | Filco Ninja 104 | HHKB pro 2 Blank Type-S

Offline laffindude

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Remove keycap labels
« Reply #17 on: Tue, 22 May 2012, 09:29:27 »
Quote from: andrewpsy;597376
Ripster, I hereby officially admit you are #1 expert.


I think he's wrong on the coating though. I do believe they are coated having destroyed one myself. Taiwanese site (and only them) notes that they are PU coated.
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Offline andrewpsy

  • Posts: 25
Remove keycap labels
« Reply #18 on: Wed, 23 May 2012, 00:36:58 »
Quote from: ripster;597536
Not the camos.  Non coated Lasered with infill.

****, Squarebox was RIGHT!

Chinese Lasering technology is improving DAILY!

Hi ripster,
do you think this tool can replace air compressor?
http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-ED500-500-Watt-Electric/dp/B001J4ZOAW/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&coliid=IW86G5QBSVHJX&colid=10ORNAW6S2T10
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Filco Ninja 104 | HHKB Pro 2 Blank | Filco Ninja 87 | Filco Ninja 104 | HHKB pro 2 Blank Type-S

Offline Zergreth

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  • Posts: 14
Remove keycap labels
« Reply #19 on: Fri, 25 May 2012, 04:09:10 »
Okay, the result is.. not quite cool. Uhm. Sorry, won't show off. So, uh, where should I buy the caps then? Now I need at least one new one.. I looked into WASD, also mailed them, but they said that their keys are taller than the Cherry G80-3000 ones. Also, their space bar is "centered" on the bottom (I hope you know what I mean), and the Cherry one isn't. And their caps lock keys are not stepped, therefore not compatible either.

I could stick to these keys, although the scroll lock one now does look.. pretty bad.
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Offline andrewpsy

  • Posts: 25
Remove keycap labels
« Reply #20 on: Fri, 25 May 2012, 20:01:22 »
Quote from: ripster;600036

No, it's designed to move cfm, not 100 psi pressure.

Thanks for the clarification. I've ordered PBT caps.
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Filco Ninja 104 | HHKB Pro 2 Blank | Filco Ninja 87 | Filco Ninja 104 | HHKB pro 2 Blank Type-S

Offline Solanin

  • Posts: 56
Remove keycap labels
« Reply #21 on: Sun, 27 May 2012, 05:52:18 »
Just paint em, work like a charm.
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