Solved Replacing keyboard letters that have worn off

wiganken · Sep 16, 2023

This isn't a question. I think it is a good idea to pass on. The letter 'T' has been worn off the 'T' key and I know one can buy stick-on letters but I think this is an easier and cheaper way. I did this yesterday and hope it will stand the test of time: -
Use a white writing pen to draw the new letter 'T' onto the key. See photos.

Rollback_Jockey · Sep 16, 2023

You could have bought a new keyboard for around the same price as that Tipex

wiganken · Sep 16, 2023

I don't think so. I always have a Tippex pen handy for writing on black 13A plugs to show what the plug supplies. See photo. Also it is a quick method.

Scannerman · Sep 16, 2023

That really is a good idea considering how labels tend to rub off. Of course, if it were me, I'd have that Belkin plugged into a UPS so I could finish listening to my documentary before shutting down the PC in the middle of a power outage. lol

Almighty1 · Sep 16, 2023

Not sure but the Pentel Correction Pen seems to be better as it's more smooth and I've had mines since 1991 and it still works like back in 1991 unlike the other brands which is closer to white out drying out in the bottle.

Ghot · Sep 16, 2023

Sharpie for the win.

I used my Ducky Shine II for 10 years, and wore the black off the key caps. LOL
The Shine II still works like a champ. But since I need to look at the keys...
I just switched to the Shine III this year.

antspants · Sep 16, 2023

Enamel nail polish.

…or any kind really.

Almighty1 · Sep 16, 2023

@antspants and @Ghot - Those work well for sealing off the capacitors on top of CPUs and GPUs so they can't be shorted when using electrically conductive thermal interface material instead of using liquid electrical tape or even the yellow see through kapton tape.

wiganken · Sep 17, 2023

@Almighty1 -

- I should have made it clear that there are other white-writing pens available. Yes, I have used Pentel and found them good but just now I happen to have the Tippex pen and so I showed that. For the record I have no vested interest in Tippex.

Almighty1 · Sep 17, 2023

wiganken said:
@Almighty1 - - I should have made it clear that there are other white-writing pens available. Yes, I have used Pentel and found them good but just now I happen to have the Tippex pen and so I showed that. For the record I have no vested interest in Tippex.

I knew what you meant. Pentel I think never did the standard bottle type as well as pens as Pentel seems to have a different kind of liquid formulation. The other pens either will get clogged or it will have only the clear liquid but not the white liquid after some time. It was actually something that my high school teacher who likes to talk about personal things while teaching mentioned. Ofcourse not sure how well it works on the keyboard though since I've never had a worn keyboard yet... My problem is more under the keys on notebooks where sometimes the rubber piece that is the membrane acts like a suction cup makes it not recognize it when I hit that key unless it was from an angle slowly.

Winuser · Sep 17, 2023

I have used white appliance enamel and a tooth pick before. Not because I thought it was the best but because I happened to have a bottle of it on hand.

Edwin · Sep 17, 2023

If you've had a keyboard for such a length of time that the key characters have worn off, you should have developed enough muscle memory to not have to look at the keyboard any longer!

garlin · Sep 17, 2023

Edwin said:
If you've had a keyboard for such a length of time that the key characters have worn off, you should have developed enough muscle memory to not have to look at the keyboard any longer!

I had a former colleague who graduated from MIT. He was so immersed in their geek culture, with a minimalist tiny font, dark-mode desktop (before they were popularized). Because he suffered carpal tunnel syndrome, touch-typed DVORAK on a hideously contorted ergo keyboard that literally looked like two inverted gloves.

One day, I was explaining a problem at his desk, and he unconsciously says to me, "OK you type it in"...

archfoto · Sep 17, 2023

A family member had a wireless MS Keyboard and Mouse on one of our computers. The N and M keys lettering finally wore off. Also, the mouse had some problems of its own. We finally broke down and purchased a nearly identical new wireless set at Office Depot for a reasonable price. There are some differences, however. Instead of taking two AA batteries in the mouse that were a pain to remove and install, the new mouse has only one easily replaced AA battery (less expense than with old mouse). The keyboard and mouse work well now, and the letters are legible. The family member has the same layout as before, so no need to adapt to something new. Moral: if a keyboard is that old that the letters have worn off, maybe it is time for a new keyboard and/or a mouse!

badrobot · Sep 17, 2023

If the original print wore out, this correction fluid won't last long.
Try adding a transparent nail polish on top. It may last longer.

Almighty1 · Sep 17, 2023

Edwin said:
If you've had a keyboard for such a length of time that the key characters have worn off, you should have developed enough muscle memory to not have to look at the keyboard any longer!

Keyboard quality must have gone down as I am still using the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro from 1999 and it still has not even worn off yet. The only thing that worn off is the metallic silver and silver color on a Microsoft Explorer Mouse (wireless) with Bluetrack technology which is 2009 I think.

antspants · Sep 17, 2023

Marking things is good, I like white markers also. But when it comes to a keyboard, many keyboards make available the purchasing of spare keys. And if they don’t for a particular keyboard, you can buy (in the photos case, a HP) for a little as USD$15. The pen probably costs nearly the same.

For everything else, I can’t go past good old Dymo print tape. Even for small USB. Covered over with laminate clear tape or using Dymo plastic tape which is actually great.

Almighty1 · Sep 17, 2023

The pens usually cost $USD2 or so but the Pentel's can cost from $USD3-$USD6 depending on the model as they make one that is round and long, long and wide and long. But obviously I didn't buy the Pentel for fixing a keyboard or marking things but for the regular corrections I do, I am amazed it lasted for 31 years and still works like as if it is new and still didn't run out of liquid yet.

Edwin · Sep 17, 2023

I don't keep most hardware long enough to wear out!

I suppose if you're an avid gamer, you may beat the

out of the keys faster!?

antspants · Sep 17, 2023

Edwin said:
I don't keep most hardware long enough to wear out!

I suppose if you're an avid gamer, you may beat the out of the keys faster!?

I still have an old keyboard with a PS/2 port connection… just in case. Mine will all outlast me.

Solved Replacing keyboard letters that have worn off

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