Hey,

Does anyone know of a good paint that would work on keycaps and the plastic body of the keyboard that won't disrupt the feel of the board and keys? Preferably something that can be purchased at a common hardware store, lowes, home depot, etc. I have seen the valspar paint there, and seemed like the best option, I was willing to look around and test a few on keys and the like but wanted to check if there was already a well known product for this.

Trent

no idea. but it might be a lot cheaper and less work to buy a blank coloured set

Well, some people over at GH have made some good experience using a clothes dye. (one that works on synthetic fibers, RIT dye is the most common there)
The main advantage probably is, that the color won't change the texture of the keycap, and it won't wear off, because it's pretty much the same as the dye sublimation process.

But you should be careful with the hot water needed for these colors. Especially ABS tends to warp at high temperatures. So you have to be precise with the temperature, and have to stir well.

Edit: After having a look at the thread at GH I remembered that this dye will probably only work on PBT Keycaps. The ABS doesn't take the color really well. Red turned out like salmon pink e.g.

I guess, that's the reason why all dye sub keycaps are PBT. Dye sub simply doesn't work on ABS. But dyed PBT caps look really nice, as if they were manufactured that way.

I may take a look at the hardware store and see what the people there suggest. I have an old fujitsu frame that I'd like to turn into a black on black das imitation.

Dyes for clothing wasn't something I didn't even think about, but I could see how that'd work.

painting a frame is possible, you have some recipes like sand, remove grease, spray vinegar, paint, sand lightly then paint one more time.
it can last longer thant you think.
Painting keycaps may give you some uncertain results.
The RIT dye has the best results (US only, i can't find them in France, and inmost parts of Europe).

One other solution is the fusion paint from krylon http://www.krylon.com/products/fusion_for_plastic/
there is a dealer in the UK. Not tested yet.

for housings use a primer (for plastic) and "dupli - color" platinum series. i am satisfied with the outcome.

One idea could be to protect the base coat (colour) with a clear coat layer... possibly two component type.
Cars are painted like this: metallic base coats are very delicate until "sealed" with clear coat.

Same concept seems to be used in Race 75% keycaps: semi transparent keycaps painted black, laser hetched to reveal again transparent plastic and then clear coated.

In any case I suggest you to test with high-end two component finishing products, or bring by a spray-shop one or two keycaps and ask the spray guy to paint them for you next time he sprays clear coat on a car.

CeeSA wrote:for housings use a primer (for plastic) and "dupli - color" platinum series. i am satisfied with the outcome.

Did they last long ? I mean without scratches, missing parts etc?

Interestingly, spray paints for metal surfaces like Krylon X-Metals will absorb into softer plastics like ABS very well. If the keys are pad printed, I imagine the paint won't have an effect on that, since it isn't plastic, and will wipe off. As for lasered keys, the lettering should still be visible. Here is a picture of it's effects on a gameboy case, which is made of ABS:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2554/3845269816_19bb06daef.jpg

Notice how the printed lettering is still in tact and the same color. I've not tried this yet, but indeed looks interesting.

If you're looking for a way to colour PBT caps then go for Rit dye if you're living in the US or Dylon if you're Europe- or Canada-based. Here's some info on the Dylon approach: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2059
Keep in mind that dyeing doesn't work very well with ABS, see RC-1140's post.