Author Topic: Dyed the keycaps of my Model M.  (Read 3087 times)

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Offline EdiblePlastique

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 6
Dyed the keycaps of my Model M.
« on: Mon, 09 May 2011, 00:42:23 »
So, what do you all think? Should I paint the case black, or is it good as is? Personally I think it looks nice.

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Offline wanabe

  • Posts: 217
  • Location: San Francisco, CA USA
Dyed the keycaps of my Model M.
« Reply #1 on: Mon, 09 May 2011, 00:45:26 »
i think you man up to your name and eat it

Offline liist

  • Posts: 47
Dyed the keycaps of my Model M.
« Reply #2 on: Mon, 09 May 2011, 00:45:31 »
Looks pretty good. How did it work? I tried dying my keyboard with Rit and the color didn't go in at all. How does it feel compared to before? And what did I do wrong?
Kinesis Advantage, Filco Majestouch-2 104, Unicomp Spacesaver with blank keys, Several IBM Model M\'s, two Microsoft keyboards (forever retired)

Offline EdiblePlastique

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 6
Dyed the keycaps of my Model M.
« Reply #3 on: Mon, 09 May 2011, 00:49:12 »
I bought Scarlet Red and Black RIT dye in powder form (cost about 8$ in total), got a bunch of water, put a thermometer in it (one you'd use for a turkey), got it to about 75c-80c, and stirred the keys around for about half an hour for each set. Then I set them out to dry. Feels exactly the same as before.
Also, the webcam is horrible quality, so the colours in it (and a lot of the shininess) is non-existent in real life.

Offline wanabe

  • Posts: 217
  • Location: San Francisco, CA USA
Dyed the keycaps of my Model M.
« Reply #4 on: Mon, 09 May 2011, 00:50:14 »
ok you didn't bite...paint it pure white, i think that would look sweet

Offline EdiblePlastique

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Dyed the keycaps of my Model M.
« Reply #5 on: Mon, 09 May 2011, 00:51:22 »
Paint the case white?

Offline wanabe

  • Posts: 217
  • Location: San Francisco, CA USA
Dyed the keycaps of my Model M.
« Reply #6 on: Mon, 09 May 2011, 00:59:04 »
yeah...the scarlet red looks surprisingly nice and it's unique.  i feel like the case dulls it down though, i think white would make it pop a bit more...

never tried painting a case before though, so no idea if it would even work well

Offline EdiblePlastique

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Dyed the keycaps of my Model M.
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 09 May 2011, 01:05:38 »
The beige does make it look a little 1980s. Still, that makes it look sort of vintage in a way.
I agree though, the case is pretty awful. I think I'll probably do something with it in the coming weeks. There are guides on how to completely dismantle it from everything else. I agree, white would look nice. So would black.

Offline Magna224

  • Posts: 394
  • Location: Tempe, Arizona
Dyed the keycaps of my Model M.
« Reply #8 on: Mon, 09 May 2011, 01:42:25 »
Sweet! I want a black case, dull not shiny. Then the keys that are red in the picture dark grey and the ones that are black a lighter grey.
If you live in AZ you can try my keyboards. I usually keep plenty of different ALPS and MX and buckling springs.

Offline What is X?

  • Posts: 122
Dyed the keycaps of my Model M.
« Reply #9 on: Mon, 09 May 2011, 01:43:39 »
looks terrible with the beige case. Sorry, being honest.

Offline EdiblePlastique

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 6
Dyed the keycaps of my Model M.
« Reply #10 on: Mon, 09 May 2011, 02:07:25 »
Quote from: What is X?;343644
looks terrible with the beige case. Sorry, being honest.

 
Okay, should I spray paint it black or white?
Also, the beige is less beige and more white in real life. Still though.

Offline strum4h

  • Posts: 146
Dyed the keycaps of my Model M.
« Reply #11 on: Mon, 09 May 2011, 04:28:05 »
Hey you posted this on /g/
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Filco Tenkeyless with Browns  - SIIG minitouch GHSS

Offline What is X?

  • Posts: 122
Dyed the keycaps of my Model M.
« Reply #12 on: Mon, 09 May 2011, 04:35:16 »
Quote from: EdiblePlastique;343648
Okay, should I spray paint it black or white?
Also, the beige is less beige and more white in real life. Still though.
black.

Offline Mr. Perfect

  • Posts: 380
  • Location: United States
Dyed the keycaps of my Model M.
« Reply #13 on: Mon, 09 May 2011, 09:12:05 »
If you're going for a black case, can you RIT dye that too? It would probably turn out nicer then painting it. It would retain the origonal texture and you wouldn't have to worry about sanding or multiple coats.
Mr. Perfect - A name fraught with peril.

G80-8113HRBUS MX Clears, FC200R MX Clears, RK-9000v2 MX Blues.

Offline Ascaii

  • Posts: 415
  • Location: Berlin, Germany
Dyed the keycaps of my Model M.
« Reply #14 on: Mon, 09 May 2011, 09:30:24 »
Rit dye it left half white, right half black O_O
"Mechanical keyboards are like pokemon:
you start with one, and then you wanna catch em all."

Offline gilgam

  • Posts: 298
Dyed the keycaps of my Model M.
« Reply #15 on: Mon, 09 May 2011, 09:43:46 »
Cas in black will be better imho

fusion paint from krylon is said to be good
Realforce 105 FR, HHKB Pro 2 black, 1 Raptor K1 Black Cherry and 1 Raptor K1 Red Cherry , Compag MX 11800  tBrown Cherry, G80-3000 Clear Cherry , G80-1000 Blue Cherry / Ghetto red, Lexmark 1992 SSK Buckling spring, Unicomp 2011 Customizer 102 Buckling spring
and a few rubber dome/scissors keyboards from Apple/Logitech

Offline CurtisLeon

  • Posts: 24
Dyed the keycaps of my Model M.
« Reply #16 on: Mon, 09 May 2011, 16:38:09 »
It contrasts horrifically with the beige. You should consider dying the case red or black.
Currently Using

Space Invaders: NMB RTRT8255CW+
Black ALPS: Dell AT101W
Foam & Foil: BTC 5339SX

In Storage

White ALPS (complicated): Focus FK-2001, Reveal KB-7061 (Chicony rebrand), PC Concepts KB-7000 (Chicony rebrand)
Orange ALPS: Apple Extended Keyboard (modded to ghetto Blue ALPS)
Peerless: Fujitsu FKB4700
Foam & Foil: LR 69497 (unknown make, terminal keyboard)

Offline ricercar

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Dyed the keycaps of my Model M.
« Reply #17 on: Mon, 09 May 2011, 17:59:53 »
Inspired. Inspiring. That's a super dye job. No trouble with any key deformation, it seems. Makes me want to have another go with a Model M and RIT.

It screams for a black case. A burgundy/cinnamon case would be my distant second choice.
« Last Edit: Mon, 09 May 2011, 18:03:05 by ricercar »
I trolled Geekhack and all I got was an eponymous SPOS.