Okay, fine. I finally have to clear up a bad idea that I thought of as an alternative to buying conductive ink. How about hot gluing bits of aluminum foil to your silicone in the chiclet keyboard?
Don’t do it, aluminum foil is indeed too conductive, as I have suspected. Also, because the surface is too smooth and slick, hot glue simply won’t make a good bond with it.
20200930/DuckDuckGo hot glue aluminum foil
20200930/https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20111201073032AAzWsYc
If the conductive ink is water-soluble, yes, it is certainly carbon-based. Other conductive inks that are based off of silver, copper, nickel, or other metals require the use of often toxic solvents in order to get their inking properties, and they may require curing rather than simple air drying. So I am told. And then, if that is the case, simple water won’t be able to wash them away like what happened to my mistreated keyboard. So, all that being said, carbon-based conductive ink is your go-to for simple, easy, and cheap keyboard repair.
20200930/DuckDuckGo what kind of conductive coating is used in chiclet keyboards
20200930/https://www.bareconductive.com/make/fix-a-tv-remote-with-electric-paint/
20200930/https://www.bareconductive.com/news/what-is-electric-paint-the-composition-and-application-of-conductive-paints/
So, the product pitch. Electric Paint looks like a particular good choice for my use because it was specifically designed to be nontoxic and easy to use.
Oh, and the final word. You really want to stick metals together? Well, yes, soldering would be my go-to recommendation, in that case buy copper foil rather than aluminum foil, you can’t solder to aluminum except by first electroplating with copper. But, if you really really want to join metal to some non-metal in a glue-like fashion, then you need to buy metal glue. Or, the other option noted in the Yahoo Answer, you can join with clay and then glue the clay. I guess you could say it’s really the same thing as a special metal glue.
Also, please note: My previous blog article on the subject.
So, the advantage over my previous find? Electric Paint is available in a smaller 10 mL tube. The price per milliliter, however, is exactly the same for the larger sizes, despite the brand differences.
PLEASE NOTE, however, while the Archaic Elements product can be used for electroforming, the Bare Conductive product cannot. It is solely for creating conductive surfaces for electronic circuits. At least it is proven to be bood for creating electric shielding cases by virtue of painting, however.
20200930/https://www.amazon.com/Archaic-Elements-Graphite-Conductive-Paint/dp/B07GL4S6GP/
20200930/https://www.amazon.com/Bare-Conductive-BarePaint-Paint-50ml/dp/B007R9UMXM
Okay, smaller quantity, go with this brand instead. Oh, and also a good note in the comments. Deteriorated traces can also be a cause of a non-functioning keyboard, so I should check the resistance of the trace layers on that plastic sheet inside my keyboard to be repaired. If that’s not working, then that needs more work too.
Oh, and the issue? “I would highly recommend wearing a mask and [working in] a well ventilated room.”
Oh, and, another great review.
Don’t buy for jewelry makers !
Jewelry makers do not buy for electroplating , its too thick and doesn’t go on smooth, not to mention how tiny an amount in bottle. Look for Sherry Haab’s graphite paint or if you want bang for your buck follow Jason Welsh’s YouTube channel he explains mixing 50 percent graphite conductive powder and 50 percent modge podge matte. Personally I love both but enjoyed creating Jason’s formula and it’s more cost effective. Hope this helps other newbies to electroplating.
20200930/https://www.amazon.com/MG-Chemicals-838AR-15ML-Carbon-Conductive/dp/B01MQ4F1T5/
Oh, and modge podge is a type of glue, basically.
20200930/DuckDuckGo modge podge matte
20200930/https://modpodgerocksblog.com/all-about-mod-podge-matte/
So… I think I’m sold. You want easy, safe, non-toxic, and small quantity? Limit electroforming/electroplating outside the scope of your project, and buy Electric Paint.
The only other sane alternative is to make your own conductive ink from pencil graphite, water, and glue.