Simplest mod question EVER

Lots of typing?

Bleach it. Remove the electronics, stick it in the dish washer, wash it, bleach it, dry it, put electronics back, and your good to go.

Bleach isn't very effective on paint once it's cured, unfortunately.

Some of the model building sites recommend soaking a part in easy-off oven cleaner to remove ancient paint. It should leave the plastic undamaged, though some say the plastic is a bit more brittle afterwards.

Steel wool might remove the paint before the plastic is damaged, but it's a risk.

You might just be stuck with the logo, if preserving the texture of the space bar is a priority.

What about asking for a replacement key from the manufacturer (http://www.halfkeyboard.com/)? If the product was not as advertised, you're certainly entitled.

I bleached my comp key board (Gateway 2000) and it's gold // logo
\\//
changed to silver (Chrome).

It worked fine considering this was made (and Cured) in 1996 and I bleached it in Jan. 2004.

kyle

Have you tried anything yet? I'd suggest starting with a mild abrasive, like a pencil eraser. A pen eraser? Automobile paint polishing compound? How about a scotchbrite pad? 20 grit sandpaper?

How about soap and water? If that doesn't work, try some rubbing alcohol. Or perhaps Simple Green (citrus-based degreaser.) Pinesol? Lighter fluid?

Geez, something's gonna remove it, it's just ink or a decal.

Dan K

Well, I just emailed Matias to see if they can do anything about it, and I also asked them what material it is. I'll post after I get the email reply.

Well, I got a reply from Matias. Apparently the logo is applied via a silkscreening process. So I thought I was on my own.

But the story is far more cool than that. I got an email back from Steve McGowan, their VP of Finance. To quote the email:

_
Can you believe that? I was (and still am) utterly floored. I mean, I'm not anyone special (well, not yet ); just some random bloke who wrote in because he wanted a space key with no type on it. But the VP of Finance stepped in, wrestled a prototype keyboard from the hands of their research and development team, and offered it to me as an exchange, just so that I would have an un-silkscreened space bar! I'm so impressed!

So since that appears to have been their only one with a clean spacebar, or one of their only ones, chances are someone else wouldn't be able to do what I did and get one. But I've gotta say, with them going that far just to make sure that their customers are happy, I can't recommend them enough.

And the keyboard rules! I've been typing on it for a little over a week now, and it's so very nice. It really does feel like the old Apple Extended Keyboard (which is what I'd been using until I got this keyboard). A little bit louder, but the tactile feedback is fabulous. And it looks great sitting there in front of my iMac, with MacMice's The Mouse sitting next to it; it all looks like it just goes together.

Back to the topic, though, in case anyone else gets this keyboard and decides that they'd like to remove the silk-screening, just be aware that it is, in fact, silk-screened onto the spacebar.

The company's response fits in with their general appreciation of aesthetics but top marks all the same. Matias have chosen to build a keyboard with an enhanced feel that will be purchased by a small proportion of a small market. They clearly feel that there is a discerning market for a keyboard with a sold feel so it is unsurprising that they understand your concern about the visual aspects. Don't be surprised if they don't offer the keyboard without a logo or with a blank space bar in the box (cost: $0.02) in the future.

Phil (who still uses an Apple Extended II when possible)