Blackwidow keys staining/fading? Is this normal?

[Supertoaster]

Besides the stiff backspace issue I had no problems until today where I looked at the keys and saw a few (mostly WASD because I game a lot) are fading/stained. But I've only owned the keyboard for about 2 months and have been trying really hard to keep it clean so that it doesn't end up like my old keyboard. I dust it every day with just a damp cloth on the keys and some windex on the glossy part. I've even been putting cocoa butter lotion on to make my fingers smoother so they don't fade as fast (heh)They seem to have black streaks. I can't take pictures because I don't have a good enough camera. Is there any way I can clean this without ruining the key or am I stuck?

thanks

[Rumudiez]

That's what happens to pad-printed ABS key caps. I'd say to look into buying a new set of PBT key caps, but I think the space bar on the BW isn't a standard size, not to mention you'll never be able to find replacements for your macro keys. At the least you shouldn't have any problems ordering a set of WASD caps from somewhere like EliteKeyboards or WASDKeyboards.

[Squelos]

The BW isnt pad printed.
But yeah, as do all laser etched keys, they stain. I imagine they went kinda yellowish/cream color?
And the macro keys are just standard. R1,R2, R3,R4. But then they are kinda useless. The driver is too ****ty to do anything with them.

[Roguemaster8]

And the macro keys are just standard. R1,R2, R3,R4. But then they are kinda useless. The driver is too ****ty to do anything with them.

Now that's not very nice, I found them very useful for opening Chrome, Skype, and MS Paint.

I had a BW Ultimate for about 2 weeks and I noticed staining even then. I'll just suggest what others have, try to find some PBT key caps. Or go to WASD for some, well, WASD keys.

[shogrran]

Yes they fade quite quickly. Replacing the keycaps I think is going to be harder than with other keyboards. I think the height of those razer keys are not the same - but I may be wrong. Plus there is another thread here talking about compatibility issues with stabilizers.

Well that's razer for you, they always want to change things - sometimes its good sometimes its bad.

[Supertoaster]

Yes they fade quite quickly. Replacing the keycaps I think is going to be harder than with other keyboards. I think the height of those razer keys are not the same - but I may be wrong. Plus there is another thread here talking about compatibility issues with stabilizers.

Well that's razer for you, they always want to change things - sometimes its good sometimes its bad.

I  think they are a bit sunken into the keyboard itself more then others. Someone did put a new set of keys (only the letters) and did mention that they were just a bit taller but fit.

I'm probably going to order a set of White keycaps from WASD in the future if it gets much worse. Since the spacebar will not work will the Enter, Shift, Backspace, etc keys still fit? Do WASD keys wear out fast?

[Supertoaster]

That's what happens to pad-printed ABS key caps. I'd say to look into buying a new set of PBT key caps, but I think the space bar on the BW isn't a standard size, not to mention you'll never be able to find replacements for your macro keys. At the least you shouldn't have any problems ordering a set of WASD caps from somewhere like EliteKeyboards or WASDKeyboards.

The Macros are the same size as the other keys and the keys are laser etched (but the symbols below some of the keys are printed)

Is there anything I can do to make the keys work on the Black Widow so that one from WASD would fit on the Enter/Backspace/Shift keys.

The keys haven't really changed color. They just sort of have faint but noticable streaks of black running through the lettering (in a vertical direction?). I'll try to take pictures when I get home if my phone decides to work.

Does anyone have pictures of white keycaps on the blackwidow?

[Supertoaster]

wrong.  The BW Ultimate isn't pad printed, but the normal (non-backlit) one is.

It looks like its laser etched to me. It looks a tiny bit blurry and feels rough.

[Rumudiez]

wrong.  The BW Ultimate isn't pad printed, but the normal (non-backlit) one is.

He didn't say he had the Ultimate, though. Nonetheless, the $40 (or however much it is) doesn't justify the differences between the Ultimate and the regular imo.

If the BWs do follow standard row heights, then blank or custom print keys I suppose would work for the macros. Then it would just be weird to buy a set of one key out of each row without custom ordering them from WASD (I personally can't think of another retailer that would accommodate such an order).

Stack 'em up for reasons not to buy from Razer again...

[Supertoaster]

He didn't say he had the Ultimate, though. Nonetheless, the $40 (or however much it is) doesn't justify the differences between the Ultimate and the regular imo.

If the BWs do follow standard row heights, then blank or custom print keys I suppose would work for the macros. Then it would just be weird to buy a set of one key out of each row without custom ordering them from WASD (I personally can't think of another retailer that would accommodate such an order).

Stack 'em up for reasons not to buy from Razer again...

I have the standard blackwidow.

I was planning to order a set of white keycaps from WASD in the future (if this gets really bad)

[Rumudiez]

Trolling again? He was responding to another member, not the OP. That happens a lot in these forums... At least he was bringing in new information about the keyboard in question.

[lowkey]

my quickfire isnt holding up too well either.  this is after a few weeks at most...

[himynameisbunny]

there are absolutely pad printing on the legends on the set in my possession

Not trying to pick sides but mine were definitely laser. When I had it.

I've moved on to the dyesub master race.

[laffindude]

Now I've seen everything. People calling each other names over keycap legend.

[Supertoaster]

I thought mechanical keyboards brought peace and harmony to the world?! :Cry:

On topic:
Is there any way I can clean it or is it stuck like this?

[laffindude]

Try some isopropyl alcohol.

[Supertoaster]

Try some isopropyl alcohol.

Will 51% do or should I try stronger?

[Supertoaster]

BONUS: I got a picture!

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Will WASD keysets work on the BlackWidow?

[shogrran]

Is it just me or is the letters whether pad or laser etched on rubber dome keyboards better quality than mechanical?

I have had an arctosa and several cheap rubber domes and never had a problem with fading of the letters.

[brkim1324]

I'd go straight to 99% and even THEN you have a 50/50 chance of it working.

Everything.  And I mean EVERYTHING is documented here:
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Das+S+Lasered+Keys+Versus+Filco+Pad+Printed+-+FIGHT

Boy that noob that accused me of being a troll is an *******.  Should ban that ****er.

LOL I love you Ripster. You are funny man... or are you?
But yea, I think it's Laser too.

[Supertoaster]

Is it just me or is the letters whether pad or laser etched on rubber dome keyboards better quality than mechanical?

I have had an arctosa and several cheap rubber domes and never had a problem with fading of the letters.

Mc Rip effect?

[Supertoaster]

Does it look more faded or stained? It doesn't look brown at all to me, just darker.

[Rumudiez]

Oh, I've just been chuckling to myself as I occasionally check this thread. You see, you misinterpreted what I meant in my second post, but only to your loss did it affect anyone. I think most of the second page of this thread is hilarious xD