Keyboard Modding - Anyone with experience of painting a keyboard? (updated 18/11/2023)

[malccy]

Hi

have just bought this old keyboard on fleabay as I thought it was a cool bit of history that I could possibly modernise with a funky paint job.



It will only be used with an occasionally used laptop so no need to rewire it as some have done, and it comes with usb'ps2 connector. I have seen a Youtube video of someone repainting a modern keyboard but am wondering if anyone on here has any personal experience of painting a similar keyboard who can offer some tips and advice.

I presume using wet/dry then primer and a few good coats of car spray paint should do trick?

 

[malccy]

Thanks Jay85 for replying; part of me wants to mod it, but I can also appreciate its original look. I paid a total of £51 inc p&p for the keyboard. Think I shall live and use it for a couple of weeks and see how I feel.

 

[malccy]

Don't forget that if you paint the keys, you will no longer see the letters!

Planned on taking keyboard apart and only modding/painting the case not the keycaps, trackball or the plastic parts above and below the trackball. Was thinking something like grey/gunmetal grey.

 

[malccy]

I've sprayed keyboards before. The body of a keyboard doesn't see much wear, so it lasts well. I didn't even bother with primer.

Can I ask what particular paint you found to be best for the job? Did you use a clear coat varnish or similar as a final coat? Any tips or other recommendations?

 

[malccy]

Update 18/11/2023

Have cleaned the keyboard up a bit and replaced the keycaps with some shiny new ones. I managed to get correct keycap replacement but found the right-shift keycap for some reason now the same (?)

Here are some before and after pics; have to now have a think about whether to do the paint job or keep the keyboard original as suggested.


Before (1)


After (1)


Before (2)


After (2)

Would be keen to hear peoples opinions.

 

[malccy]

Thank Bubo for your post. The right-hand 'Shift' keycap is a difficult one to get hold off due to Compaq being awkward but feel lucky that the general Keycap set I bought fitted 99% successfully. I wanted to replace the dirty-grey keycaps with white intentionally, and did this first before deciding whether to paint the keyboard itself. I have replaced the left-hand side 'Shift' keycap with the original grey keycap to even out the look of the keyboard. I have still not yet decided about whether to paint the keyboard, but if I do, I think either gunmetal grey or very dark grey would fit in with best with the laptop that I am currently using the keyboard in conjunction with.