Modding a Mionix Zibal 60 questions.

[minh278]

1) Is nail polish an okay paint to color the back plate (i plan to do a luminescent paint mod)?
2) Is it possible to sip-socket mod most led backlit mechanical keyboards?
3) Is there any tool to change a plate mount switch without soldering?

[Melvang]

1) Is nail polish an okay paint to color the back plate (i plan to do a luminescent paint mod)?
2) Is it possible to sip-socket mod most led backlit mechanical keyboards?
3) Is there any tool to change a plate mount switch without soldering?

1)  I would not use nail polish for this as it will be VERY time consuming and won't adhere well to the plate.  Along with it being very thing and chips pretty easily.
2)  I have not done the mod personally but for cherry MX it is all the same with the one possible exception being MX Locks but those have different internals and a slightly different housing on the inside.
3)  Not unless you have an after market/custom plate with the cutouts on the sides of the switch.  There was one thread a I remember seeing where someone took the plate and pressed it down into the PCB to mod switches without desoldering but I would not recommend that method.

[minh278]

What would you recommend to paint a backplate then?

[Melvang]

First off I wouldn't do it with the switches installed.  Chances are it is just going to make a mess as it will be about impossible to mask off the switches.  If your are really looking for a painted plate and are looking to change switches anyway, I would just pony up the cash for a decent iron and a Soldapult from Edsyn.  Remove the switches, paint, and reassemble.

For painting the plate I would recommend a quality spray paint and primer.  I don't actually know much about spray paints to really recommend any in particular though.

[minh278]

I was gonna desolder the switches anyways to do the sip mod for leds. Thanks though for helping me avoid the nail polish path! though ima have to see if they have luminescent spraypaint of somesuch.

[berserkfan]

2) Is it possible to sip-socket mod most led backlit mechanical keyboards?

minh, DO NOT DO THIS!

If you want to SIP mod, spend the money on a Ducky. You need something that can endure repeated desoldering/ solder cycles.

The Mionix is single sided PCB and the pads are easy to lift. Thechemist tried and found them problemmatic.

[IvanIvanovich]

I would recommend using automotive paint for your plates. It's not going to be prone to chipping like some others. Some auto body shops have no problem doing small things like this after closing when they are cleaning out the equipment anyway. Might be worth asking around and get a nice professional finish.
SIP sockets pins work fine... just need to pop them out of the plastic blocks for trouble free installation.

[minh278]

2) Is it possible to sip-socket mod most led backlit mechanical keyboards?

minh, DO NOT DO THIS!

If you want to SIP mod, spend the money on a Ducky. You need something that can endure repeated desoldering/ solder cycles.

The Mionix is single sided PCB and the pads are easy to lift. Thechemist tried and found them problemmatic.

darn welp guess ima need to finda a ducky to sip mod . thanks though even though im still tempted to try at my own risk due to the mionix being my secondary keyboard and not my main.

[dorkvader]

2)  I have not done the mod personally but for cherry MX it is all the same with the one possible exception being MX Locks but those have different internals and a slightly different housing on the inside.

You can SIP mod an MX lock but the Mionix won't support the different LED positioning.

also I advise against trying to SIP mod an MX lock as to do it properly, you have to sand down the SIP sockets a little and mod the switch casing slightly as fitment is very tight.

2) Is it possible to sip-socket mod most led backlit mechanical keyboards?

minh, DO NOT DO THIS!

If you want to SIP mod, spend the money on a Ducky. You need something that can endure repeated desoldering/ solder cycles.

The Mionix is single sided PCB and the pads are easy to lift. Thechemist tried and found them problemmatic.

darn welp guess ima need to finda a ducky to sip mod . thanks though even though im still tempted to try at my own risk due to the mionix being my secondary keyboard and not my main.

If you're careful it's possible to desolder without destroying the PCB, but you have to be careful. I'm not sure I'd recommend it for a first-time desoldering project.

[berserkfan]

If you're careful it's possible to desolder without destroying the PCB, but you have to be careful. I'm not sure I'd recommend it for a first-time desoldering project.

Another reason not to desolder Mionix is that leds are hard to desolder in general. On a single sided PCB, these tiny pads are very easy to lift when you apply that mighty vacuum sucker.

One thing you can do is to spend money on a new PCB and work from there. I believe the Mionix is exactly the same dimensions as a Ducky, so the PCB should be standard spacings. After having modded a bit I personally think that starting with new materials will get you a better board, rather than going through that frustrating and risky desoldering process!

[minh278]

How hard is desoldering a ducky? Because the only 108 pcb i could find was a gon which nearly as much and i can find a ducky with backlights(meaning the pcb would have the support for leds) and switches for 15 dollars more. Has anyone messed with a tesoro lobera suprema because i can find those cheaper than a ducky periodically(i do know they are kalih brown) though i think the led is inside the switch for the tesoro.

[berserkfan]

How hard is desoldering a ducky? Because the only 108 pcb i could find was a gon which nearly as much and i can find a ducky with backlights(meaning the pcb would have the support for leds) and switches for 15 dollars more. Has anyone messed with a tesoro lobera suprema because i can find those cheaper than a ducky periodically(i do know they are kalih brown) though i think the led is inside the switch for the tesoro.

I find desoldering the Ducky fairly tough but at least I managed not to lift any pads. Double sided PCB is like that - hard to work with if you are using basic tools, but resilient to endure your abuse.

Tesoro should not be using double sided PCB.