Is there an effective method for painting keys?

[viivo]

I've got this old Compaq keyboard that I absolutely love the feel of (mushy keys = HULK SMASH), but its beigeness is clashing with the gray and black combination of the components surrounding it. Is there a way to paint the keys gray without turning it into a piece of ghetto art?

Better yet would be any suggestions for a black keyboard with gray keys that doesn't feel like you're pounding jello.

Thanks.

 

[Jaxidian]

I can't think of a good way to paint a keyboard, unfortunately.

As far as a good black/grey keyboard, Logitech has nice black/silver ones (if that fits your black/grey idea) but the keys are black on it with other special buttons being silver (the Internet and media buttons specifically). This is the one that I have and I really like it.

 

[thelanx]

What do you mean a good way to paint them? I would just take the top off, and paint the top, let it dry, and put it back on the keyboard. As for the letters...maybe you can get some stickers or other sticking material that you can stick on the keys (I think that's how many companies do it themselves as you can see the little area that the sticker/sticking material on many keyboards), or if you are really good at painting/calligraphy, you can paint the letters on your self.

 

[Jaxidian]

How do you suggest he/she paints them and with what kind of paint? If Viivo uses spray paint, that's surely not going to last very long (after less than a year, I've rubbed a good portion of plastic off of the spacebar keys of 3 different keyboards - spray paint is much less durable). I don't know of any paint that would be durable enough to last for a long period of time with regular use.

Spray paint would likely be plenty for the sides of the keys but not the top. And I'm not sure where you might be able to find the stickers (if that's what they really are and not plastic films that they melt onto the tops) that keyboard manufacturers use.

 

[pspada]

Nail polish?

 

[Jaxidian]

Originally posted by: pspada
Nail polish?

That would be interesting to try but I would guess that it wouldn't be durable enough either (total guess there, I've not really ever used nail polish for anything).

 

[MDE]

Vinyl dye.

 

[Jaxidian]

I've not used Vinyl dye before but here's a little tutorial for using it if you want:
Tutorial and FAQ for Vinyl Dye

 

[viivo]

"Another nice feature is that some colors will allow printed markings to show through. Such as the lettering on a drive bezel or markings you've made yoursel"

I hope that holds true for a medium gray.

Thanks all for the help.

 

[pspada]

Originally posted by: Jaxidian

Originally posted by: pspada
Nail polish?

That would be interesting to try but I would guess that it wouldn't be durable enough either (total guess there, I've not really ever used nail polish for anything).

There is some clear coat of 'something tough' that makes the polish last longer on nails - I'm guessing it would work quite well on keyboard keys, with the benefit of being see through. I think it's some form of acrylic?