So currently I have a stock Novatouch. I have taihao doubleshots on the way and bought into the GMK TA group buy, but I'm not sure what if any mods can be done to the Novatouch to make it better. Also, I'm looking to paint the case gray, is there anything special I need to do as the case is rubberized?
I apologize if this is in the wrong place.
As other have already pointed out, you should really do the silencing mod (landing pads flattened with an ironing cloth).
This will completely transform the board. The Novatouch has a good design and good materials, but it's a first version, and they did not put enough consideration into how it sounds like. Out of the box, it sounds like crap.
This problem is made worse when you use thicker (=better quality but heavier) keycaps. The upstroke sound becomes unbearable.
Silencing mod, thick grease on the stabilizers and PBT keycaps... It becomes a class of its own, and I would dare to say it's better than a Realforce.