My Keyboard Mod - Pics included - Overclock.net

Vargess · 06-02-08

I decided it was time to mod my keyboard, so yesterday I took it apart and knocked it out.

Here we go!
What my keyboard looked like before I started.

Below, you see the simple tools I used for this project.
The Painter's Touch Primer is great for plastic! Goes on real nice and covers without using a lot or multiple coats if you don't want. A simple .96 cent can of Aluminum/Silver from WallyMart. A Fine grit sandpaper disc meant for drills. It had a nice rounded edge which worked beautifully. 1" Painter's Tape, exacto knife with a new blade, tweezers to remove the excess tape. And of course, a kitchen glove to keep the paint off of me

Placed the Tape and trimming it to cover the shiny black ring around the board.

My New small Workbench!

Finished with the trim and moving on to the "rings" around the media keys.

Sanded down and primered. Put 2 coats to heal any remaining imperfect places.

Here, the board has been covered with it's first coat of Alum/Silver. Again, I went with 2 coats to ensure it was nicely covered and a 2nd thicker coat to help even out the color.

Here, I have removed the outer trim and have moved onto removing the "rings" surrounding the media keys.

An overall shot of the board once all the tape has been removed. Lookin good so far!

A close-up shot, you can see I didn't do as well on the Rings on one side, but it didn't need to be perfect anyway. I decided to keep the shiny rings mid-project at any rate.

Completed Project! Without flash.

I don't which looks better with or without so...

I would have liked to re-finish the keys as well, but I don't know where or even if I can get the little letter "stickers" anyway. Now, my keyboard matches my mouse, Z-5500 speakers, and PC case!

I hope you have enjoyed the show. Thanks for stopping by!

**grunion** · 06-02-08

Awesome job :thumb
I have that keyboard, you've inspired me.

Deadguy · 06-02-08

Nice job.Do you pull the tape when its still wet or it doest matter.Does the paint stand up to daily use for a while.

Vargess · 06-02-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by grunion

Awesome job :thumb
I have that keyboard, you've inspired me.

Thanks

It's a great keyboard. I've had it a few years now and still happy with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deadguy

Nice job.Do you pull the tape when its still wet or it doest matter.Does the paint stand up to daily use for a while.

Thanks. You can pull it when it is still wet, but I wouldn't recommend it. At least in my case with the cheap silver paint, it flaked off the tape when I pulled it. Would have ruined my paint job

Since the black outline has an indention on both edges, I just used my knife to make sure it wasn't attached to the tape and went from there. It's also safer to wait for it to dry just incase you happen to touch it. The paint I used dried pretty quick to the touch, so I was able to do all the painting in about 4 hours? I think less.

It will stand up to daily use as long as you clearcoat it enough. On things like this, I generally put at least 2 good coats of clear. Because the clear is designed to protect against abrasion (light scratching) you can also choose to wax it similar as you would a car. By hand of course with a light paste once it's had time to cure. Hope that helps

vwgti · 06-02-08

To avoid the flaking/peeling, best to run a razer blade around it first. Worked best in my situations (car painting).

slim123 · 06-02-08

I like it, now it has a sense of character

Slim

CattleRustler · 06-02-08

excellent job!
+rep

Vargess · 06-02-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by slim123

I like it, now it has a sense of character

Slim

I think so too. It just didn't match the rest of my hardware at all so I had to do something about it

I also wanted to add some Green LEDs to it under the keys for even more "fashion" but I'm not ready for that yet. I still have some planning to do on that one.
Now, my monitor is the only thing that is out of whack, but that's ok because I'm replacing it.

CudaBoy71 · 06-02-08

Thanks for the insiraion..I got an old key that I am thinking about doing this too..I am gonna add blue led's under it..
Let me know when you replace that monitor.. I in need of one...

se7en56 · 06-02-08

Nice job!!!!

Very nice and professional + for sure

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My Keyboard Mod - Pics included

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