Best type of paint for painting keyboards.

[kint]

I doubt that anyone paws enough on the case to actually rub off the paint. While this might be the case at the corners of the case at best, it's much more common that the paint will peel off because the bonding is bad. And the usual solution to this is using the correct primer for the surface, in any case, not just keyboard ones ( )
Dye paint, afaik has a solvent mixed into the paint that disintegrates the surface to achieve that the paint sinks into the surface, which is the also the case with plastic primer, plus the latter will also form a good surface for further paint layers. Using a layered painting method is imo and afaik the superior method to using a "all-in-one" product.

[maxrunner]

So you prefer using the normal paint method with the primer first?

[kint]

I don't have experience with keyboard cases on that issue, but it's exactly the same with car bumpers. ABS, rough goose bumpy surface, some movement on the painted object... and the only method for achieving a permanent job is: cleancleanclean working, proper Primer for the type of plastic (there's different ones out there) and then follow the usual steps for lacquering. All-in-one bumper colours will peel off sooner or later.

[maxrunner]

But using dye supposedly alters the color of the plastic....

[Icarium]

I don't know much about painting and I didn't know back when I made this: http://deskthority.net/post52639.html#p52639
But that's why I'm asking.

[maxrunner]

i think i'm going to try to dye some keyboard first and see what happens.

[kint]

I'm feeling uncomfortable accepting referring to "colour in can" as dye.
I can't explain it, but it starts with that the term "dye" is nothing but likely a designation of the producer.
Imo there is a difference between dyeing say, cloth and dyeing plastic. Also: why is dyeing with i.e. rit dye on ABS impossible? Because it'll warp under heat. But dye in cans shall is supposed to be able to circumvent heat completely and cold dye plastic? Further more: dye subbing brighter colour letters on dark caps is impossible, but changing the colour of dark plastic via spray can to a brighter colour is possible? How ?
The spec sheet of vinyl dye claims names Acetone as one ingredient and as I take it this is just "dissolve surface to allow paint to sink in better". So to me this is still applying a colour layer, which I define as paint instead of changing the colour without applying another layer which I take as dye. But this is all opinion, not facts.
However please be cautious with products containing Acetone, which is best absorbed as Aerosol by the human body, and it is highly dangerous to the human liver. Also please report the outcome, thanks.

edit: silly post, had to correct that, sorry.

[maxrunner]

yes, i have to take care of logistics and products first, i'm considering buying from http://vinyldye.co.uk/ a couple of cans, although i can't see if they're glossy or not, i would prefer to maintain the type of original keyboard plastic. Also what's the best masking tape to hide stuff while using spray paints/dyes?

regards,

[kint]

well, don't take this as a loop. But if it's truly a dye it shouldn't alter the surface type ie from glossy to matte or vice versa. It's impossible because the structure is uniform and it isn't changed. When dyeing fabrics I experienced a change to glossy before, but that was solely because the warp of the fabric wasn't dyed as opposed to the weft.

Now as for the vinyl dye: If you really have the options I'ld rather go with matte as keyboard cases appear to me rather matte. But I take it it will become a little matte anyway, because the acetone will roughen the surface a little when dissolving it.
Tape: Acetone will affect the glue of it. So I would apply the vinyl dye and as soon as it's a little dry on the surface remove the (crepe) tape instantely. Use the even crepe tape not the crumpled one. There's also special paint masking tape out there, but I have only the best experience with crepe. Thin strokes out of the can of course, and best do a tester on some unimportant case or area ie the underside before. And now I'll step back and let those that have used vinyl dye before do the talking...

[maxrunner]

Also is it okay to clean the keycaps in the cloth washing machine? what' temps are acceptable?

[Half-Saint]

I already posted a topic about this in the 'Workshop' subforum:
http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/wash ... it=machine

[maxrunner]

I've had good results with several vinyl dyes like VHT. Only downside to them is the color options are much more limited than stuff like krylon fusion which is much less durable.

Just found a can of krylon at my home, it actually says that it doesn't need priming or sanding, but what kind of paint it is?

[maxrunner]

Still trying to find a place to do this lol, my apartment is small lol. Also kint what kind of tape is crepe tape?

[kint]

google pic search
In Germany you'll get this everywhere because it's used to mask stuff like light switches when you're painting the wall of your flat. Theres the crimpled one http://www.capro.de/capro-de/Grafiken/k ... beband.jpg and the so called fine crepe, which is the one I recommend: http://src.discounto.de/pics/Angebot/57 ... 67_xxl.jpg

It's also called painter's crepe, for a reason. It's basically a paper based tape which can soak up a little bit off overflow paint, it's cheap, can be torn easily by hand, can be removed without any residue. I guess it's pretty common in Portugal too.

[maxrunner]

yep just found it, but with these tecnical things you never really know if it has an identical name. Anyway why is this type of tape better than regular one??does it protect from vinyl dye better?

[kint]

What's regular tape anyway?
Are you talking common office clear tape? Here's why:
It's cheap. You can get it everywhere. It'll soak up some overflow paint. It can be removed residueless. It can be cut to every size and shape you want. It provides sharp edges without glue dripping out. It'll stick to almost everything except wet things. You can tear it by hand. You can easily poke an edge when you want to remove it. It can be removed easily on wet paint.
I haven't tried it with dye paint, whatever that turns out to be in the end.
Of course other types of tape will do the job too.. I doubt there is some special "Vinyl dye masking tape" sold out there.

[Findecanor]

Yep. The points of using masking tapes are that it soaks up overflowing paint and that it does not stick too well.
Regular tape is made of polyethylene, and the paint could just run off it and on to pieces that you don't want painted, and if it does not run off, dried paint will flake off when you remove the tape.

There are different types of masking tape. For instance, there are some tapes that are less sticky than others. Blue or pink masking tape is better for sensitive surfaces (that have just been painted) than yellow masking tape. If you have to be really careful, then use post-its. (which is also available as a tape... but expensive).

[maxrunner]

By regular i meant regular masking tape. But i see your point

[maxrunner]

Ok so blue or pink it is...

[kint]

it's blue or pink for sensitive surfaces. There's nothing sensitive in stock keyboard cases
You would use these tapes when you, say, paint the whole case black, then mask of everything but a pattern and then paint the pattern pink. With regular masking tape you'ld propably rip of the black paint because it'll need some days up to weeks for hardening completely. But on a stock case the normal stuff will be just fine.

[maxrunner]

oh ok. always learning...
Well in this case its to mask the led stickers and the back serial number stuff, etc...

[maxrunner]

So like i said i've found the krylon can, but i cant understand if this is identical to vinyl dye because its says no priming or sanding.

[maxrunner]

Also what kind of sanding do you use for this type of works Grit 600?wet sand? paint sand?

[TDub]

I found sabotaz in an german online shop and its called vinyl spray. I don't know how well it works but I will probably try it soon and then report back.

[IvanIvanovich]

Fusion is ok, it is not quite as good as others I mentioned prior but they do have a lot more colors. I don't use it unless I really really want some weird color they have like lime green or something. Try it on some old abs plastic scraps or junk keyboard first to make sure it comes out looking like you want and won't hurt to get some practice in because it will make runs if you are not careful.

[maxrunner]

Can you sand it?to get rid of possible runs?

[IvanIvanovich]

Sure, it is more like our average spray paints, with a slightly different formula geared towards plastics specifically than the all materials kind. Basically I think it just has less acetone and things that are not so good for plastics. Better to use proper technique to avoid runs etc. though of course.

[maxrunner]

Yep, i was considering using the first text on a broken model m2, but it appears that its fixable, and i would llike to try vinyl dye too, there's these dye methods i keep reading here, but they seem way too complicated and require much more work too.

[never4getthis]

About the water based sandpaper, what it probably ment was sanding with water. ie. wetting the object you want to sand and then sanding it.

[kint]

wet paper is special sandpaper in finer grit, usually 400 onwards inteded for just opening the surface instead of removing something. You'll use it with water and it's the only kind of paper which wouldn't disintegrate when getting in touch with water. Basically it's only use is: Scratch the surface to allow later paint to stick better.
For painting, common grit is something like 400 for initial surface and maximum 800 for the last layer before painting. Don't go too fine i.e. 1000, this grit onwards is aimed as an initial step for polishing.
Of course: Sanding a surface will remove it's texture. the goose bumpy roughness on Cherry keyboard cases ie.

Also I don't get the recurring turns between paint and dye in this topic. Dyeing a case is considered as impossible because the heat will warp the plastic. Therefore: Spray "paint", or spray "dye".
Dyeing: no sandpaper needed, painting: rather impossible to last without sanding.