Anyone tried clear fingernail polish on the graphite K3's keys

Nonna1 · 09-19-2010, 03:26 PM

...to keep them from rubbing off. So many reports of key symbols fading with use. = ( My down arrow is already half gone with very little use. And I really like the graphite color better than the white, which has had no reports of paint rubbing off the keys. I don't want to return mine b/c I already put a skin on it and have my collections organized.

Anyone else have this problem???

desertgrandma · 09-19-2010, 03:41 PM

Welcome to MobileRead, nonna1

Let us know how this works if you'd like to try it!

jswinden · 09-19-2010, 03:43 PM

I haven't encountered the problem, yet. But I would use great caution when applying it so that it doesn't accidentally run over the side of the key button and cause problems. If it runs down in the cracks around the button it might affect the button's usability.

clintbradford · 09-19-2010, 04:44 PM

Nail polish might have a "negative" reaction with either the robber and/or the ink used for the lettering. I wouldn't try it, personally.

I think medium grey lettering on a dark grey background was an absolutely stupid color combination on our new K3 units ... It MANDATES me wearing my reading eyeglasses just to see the keys.

I have not researched "keyboard covers" for tiny keyboards like our K3 has. I am sure someone out ther has placed Saran Wrap(tm) across their keyboard for protection.

Are you sure the lettering is being wiped away - as opposed to, maybe, just being "blocked" by skin moisture and dust? Maybe spraying a little eyeglass cleaner ON A CLEANING CLOTH (NOT onto the device) and gentle wiping may help? Of course, if your letting is, indeed, deteriorating, this will accelerate that deterioration. Just haven't heard about this one yet. Call Amazon customer support and start a case.

rlparker · 09-19-2010, 04:59 PM

Hi Nonna1, welcome to MR!

Tiersten · 09-19-2010, 05:02 PM

What Clint said. Nail polish out of the bottle is mostly solvent and the plastic in the Kindle may react badly to that.

BVLarson · 09-19-2010, 06:17 PM

What a grim thought!
Remover and a cotton swab?
-BVL

jswinden · 09-19-2010, 06:24 PM

I wonder if the lettering was laser etched? I know some PC keyboards have laser etched keys.

nimblem · 09-20-2010, 06:51 PM

I just bought a Kindle DXG less a month ago, and much of the lettering paint has come off. I have contact amazon about it and I am waiting for a reply....

Skydog · 09-20-2010, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nimblem

I just bought a Kindle DXG less a month ago, and much of the lettering paint has come off. I have contact amazon about it and I am waiting for a reply....

That is indeed curious.

I ordered and received my Graphite DX as soon as it was released (first week in July) and it still looks like it did out of the box.

When you say "much of the lettering paint..." does that include keyboard, page turn/home/menu?

stjoe · 09-20-2010, 09:16 PM

I also have KDXG for few weeks already, initially I thought the Back button lettering come off but after I cleaned with eucalyptus oil, the lettering back. Apparently it was only dirt, not peeling off.

Try eucalyptus oil to clean the buttons. I also tried to use alcohol 70% but the result not as good as using eucalyptus oil.

ChaseKR · 09-20-2010, 09:19 PM

That really doesn't sound like a good idea. Just report the problem to Amazon's wonderful customer service and they'll see what they can do if they're not already aware of similar issues reported by others.

JustinL · 09-22-2010, 05:53 AM

Hi, I am new to the forums and just received my Kindle 3. I read this thread with interest and I can see what you mean with the rubberised buttons. I have come across these type of buttons before on my old Panasonic G1 and have a solution. What I used is Vallejo Matt Varnish, it is used by hobbyists to protect paint. It is 100% safe to use on these type of buttons and will protect the surface, follow this link for further information http://www.acrylicosvallejo.com/gb/a...el-paints.html

austinmitchell · 09-22-2010, 06:31 AM

The lettering on the keys reminds me of the Psion Series 5mx. It had the same type of light on dark lettering and it didn't actually rub off. The lettering process leaves tiny pits which collect dirt from fingers. Pretty sure that they could be carefully cleaned.

DiapDealer · 09-22-2010, 06:43 AM

I've never tried 'clear' nail polish but 'desert rose' really seems to accentuate its eyes quite nicely.

09-19-2010, 03:26 PM	#1
Nonna1 Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle 3	Anyone tried clear fingernail polish on the graphite K3's keys ...to keep them from rubbing off. So many reports of key symbols fading with use. = ( My down arrow is already half gone with very little use. And I really like the graphite color better than the white, which has had no reports of paint rubbing off the keys. I don't want to return mine b/c I already put a skin on it and have my collections organized. Anyone else have this problem???

09-19-2010, 03:43 PM	#3
jswinden Nameless Being	I haven't encountered the problem, yet. But I would use great caution when applying it so that it doesn't accidentally run over the side of the key button and cause problems. If it runs down in the cracks around the button it might affect the button's usability. Last edited by jswinden; 09-21-2010 at 12:33 PM.

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09-19-2010, 03:41 PM	#2
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462843 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	Welcome to MobileRead, nonna1 Let us know how this works if you'd like to try it!

09-19-2010, 04:44 PM	#4
clintbradford Older ... slower ... Posts: 450 Karma: 1924 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Jurupa Valley CA US Device: Kobo, Kindles 2/3/Keyboard/Fire/Fire HD, HDX.	Nail polish might have a "negative" reaction with either the robber and/or the ink used for the lettering. I wouldn't try it, personally. I think medium grey lettering on a dark grey background was an absolutely stupid color combination on our new K3 units ... It MANDATES me wearing my reading eyeglasses just to see the keys. I have not researched "keyboard covers" for tiny keyboards like our K3 has. I am sure someone out ther has placed Saran Wrap(tm) across their keyboard for protection. Are you sure the lettering is being wiped away - as opposed to, maybe, just being "blocked" by skin moisture and dust? Maybe spraying a little eyeglass cleaner ON A CLEANING CLOTH (NOT onto the device) and gentle wiping may help? Of course, if your letting is, indeed, deteriorating, this will accelerate that deterioration. Just haven't heard about this one yet. Call Amazon customer support and start a case.

09-19-2010, 04:59 PM	#5
rlparker Ars longa Posts: 1,179 Karma: 17404 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: north carolina, usa Device: Kindle K1, K3 wifi	Hi Nonna1, welcome to MR!

09-19-2010, 05:02 PM	#6
Tiersten Guru Posts: 987 Karma: 8641 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle 3G+WiFi	What Clint said. Nail polish out of the bottle is mostly solvent and the plastic in the Kindle may react badly to that.

09-19-2010, 06:17 PM	#7
BVLarson Author Posts: 123 Karma: 900 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Device: Kindle	What a grim thought! Remover and a cotton swab? -BVL

09-19-2010, 06:24 PM	#8
jswinden Nameless Being	I wonder if the lettering was laser etched? I know some PC keyboards have laser etched keys.

09-20-2010, 06:51 PM	#9
nimblem Addict Posts: 304 Karma: 7102 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Pocket Pro, Kindle Dx	I just bought a Kindle DXG less a month ago, and much of the lettering paint has come off. I have contact amazon about it and I am waiting for a reply....

09-20-2010, 09:16 PM	#11
stjoe Connoisseur Posts: 80 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Singapore Device: Kindle DXG, Pocket eDGe, Kindle Paperwhite, Sony, Onyx N96, Onyx Nova	I also have KDXG for few weeks already, initially I thought the Back button lettering come off but after I cleaned with eucalyptus oil, the lettering back. Apparently it was only dirt, not peeling off. Try eucalyptus oil to clean the buttons. I also tried to use alcohol 70% but the result not as good as using eucalyptus oil.

09-20-2010, 09:19 PM	#12
ChaseKR Connoisseur Posts: 85 Karma: 12 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle 4 Touch, iPad 1 3G	That really doesn't sound like a good idea. Just report the problem to Amazon's wonderful customer service and they'll see what they can do if they're not already aware of similar issues reported by others.

09-22-2010, 05:53 AM	#13
JustinL Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3	Hi, I am new to the forums and just received my Kindle 3. I read this thread with interest and I can see what you mean with the rubberised buttons. I have come across these type of buttons before on my old Panasonic G1 and have a solution. What I used is Vallejo Matt Varnish, it is used by hobbyists to protect paint. It is 100% safe to use on these type of buttons and will protect the surface, follow this link for further information http://www.acrylicosvallejo.com/gb/a...el-paints.html

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09-22-2010, 06:31 AM	#14
austinmitchell Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 18016 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	The lettering on the keys reminds me of the Psion Series 5mx. It had the same type of light on dark lettering and it didn't actually rub off. The lettering process leaves tiny pits which collect dirt from fingers. Pretty sure that they could be carefully cleaned.

09-22-2010, 06:43 AM	#15
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,568 Karma: 204127028 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	I've never tried 'clear' nail polish but 'desert rose' really seems to accentuate its eyes quite nicely.