Clear coating key caps

[Muh Fugen]

I recently bought a IBM Model M-13 keyboard; one of the few Model Ms with printed rather than dye-sub key caps. Because replacement black key-caps are next to impossible to come by short of buying another keyboard, I was thinking of giving them a layer of matte clear coat. I was wondering if anyone else has done this before, and if so if they could recommend a brand of paint. Right now I've been thinking of using DuraCoat matte clear (gun paint), but wasnt sure if there was anything better. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about trying Plasti-Dip, although it is nice that I can peal it off if I dont like the way it looks, I'm not sure how it'll stand up to typing, and if I'd be stuck having to spend a day once every few months to peel off the old worn layer and replace it.


On a side note, it is rather disappointing that IBM/MaxiSwitch couldn't manage to ensure that the printing on keys like backspace and shift was straight; even my $20 Microsoft wireless keyboard managed to get the printing right.

[noisyturtle]

I feel like that would ruin the caps feel/look/fit/value

[Muh Fugen]

I feel like that would ruin the caps feel/look/fit/value

Regarding the look/feel, thats why I'm asking here. I dont see how it could do anything to the fit since I dont plan on coating the stem of the key cap, and I could care less what it does to the value.

[Oobly]

I like the idea of PlastiDipping them. It has a couple of advantages, that it will go on nicely with the caps in place, so you don't have to remove them to do it and that it is easy to undo / redo if you make a mistake or don't like it. As for the endurance, I'm not too sure, but I do know that some people who have plastidipped their cars and use normal car washes can have it on for years without it peeling / getting damaged.

I would be a lot more hesitant to use a more permanent paint type of coating, since the solvents used could damage the printing or plastic on the caps if you ever want to remove the coating.

So I'd say give the Plastidip a try. It's not expensive, easy to apply and you can always try something else later if it isn't doing the job.