Two-Layer Blue Painter's Tape Mod on a Mechanical Keyboard PCB: A Practical Guide

Overview

This guide documents a reversible PCB-level acoustic adjustment: two parallel strips of blue painter's tape are applied to the back of a mechanical keyboard's printed circuit board (PCB). The intent is to soften the board's acoustic profile without permanently altering its structure. The demonstration uses a Keychron mechanical keyboard, though the specific Keychron model is not identified in the source material and should be confirmed against your own board before disassembly.

This guide is based on a single creator video and limited contextual research; it has not been independently tested, and several questions remain unresolved. Treat every step below as something to verify against your specific keyboard before acting. The video itself shows the tape being applied, screw holes being punched, and a before-and-after typing comparison as the method for judging the result. It does not demonstrate or measure a specific acoustic outcome such as reduced ping or increased bass, and it does not address electrical, thermal, or adhesive-longevity concerns.

Before you begin, confirm: (a) the exact model of your Keychron or other mechanical keyboard, since screw layouts and plate attachment methods vary; (b) that your keyboard is fully powered down and disconnected before disassembly; and (c) whether your PCB has surface-mount LEDs on the underside that might be affected by tape coverage, a question the video does not resolve.

Tools & Materials

Step-by-Step

1. With the keyboard still in its unmodified stock condition and no tape applied, type a short sample and label this your "Before" recording. (Observed at 00:50, on-screen text "Before".)
2. Power down and disconnect the keyboard. Remove the bottom case screws using the screwdriver, then set the screws aside in a container so they are not lost. (Observed at 00:11.)
3. Remove the keycaps and switches you need to access, then unscrew and remove the top plate screws with the same screwdriver. Lift the plate free of the case. (Observed at 00:16.)
4. Carefully lift the bare PCB out of the case, exposing the underside populated with hot-swap sockets and diodes. Set the case aside. (Observed at 00:22.)

   

5. Cut a strip of blue painter's tape with the scissors and apply it across the entire back surface of the PCB, laying it flat without wrinkles. (Observed at 00:25.)
6. Cut a second strip of blue painter's tape and apply it parallel to the first, overlapping or abutting it to create a two-layer covering across the PCB back. (Observed at 00:28.)

   

7. Using the tip of the screwdriver, puncture the tape directly over each mounting-hole location on the PCB. Press just hard enough to break through the tape without scoring the board. (Observed at 00:31.)
8. Hold the taped PCB up against a bright backlight. The screw holes will show through the tape as illuminated points, confirming alignment before reassembly. (Observed at 00:37.)

   

9. Reinstall the PCB into the case, then reseat the plate, switches, and keycaps. Tighten the plate screws and the bottom case screws. (Observed at 00:44.)
10. Repeat the same typing sample once the tape modification and reassembly are complete, and label this your "After" recording. Compare the two recordings on the same hardware and in the same room to judge the change. (Observed at 00:52, on-screen text "After".)

Common Pitfalls

Cautions shown or stated in the video

- Use low-tack blue painter's tape rather than a high-tack tape. The speaker states at 00:08 that blue tape is chosen because it is "not super sticky," which limits adhesive residue on the PCB. - Do not guess screw-hole positions. The video demonstrates holding the taped PCB against a bright light at 00:37 so the holes show through, avoiding damage from probing blindly with the screwdriver tip. - Remove the PCB from the case before applying tape. The tape is applied to the back of the bare PCB, not to the inside of the case (00:22, 00:25).

Unresolved questions the reader must settle

- Specific Keychron model: the video does not identify the exact model. Screw layouts, plate attachment, and disassembly sequence vary between Keychron boards; verify against your own keyboard before starting. (Unverified.) - Electrostatic discharge (ESD) risk: whether certain brands or types of painter's tape carry an ESD risk to a powered or recently powered PCB is not addressed in the video or the supplied sources. Use standard ESD precautions (discharge yourself, work on a non-conductive surface) until this is confirmed. (Unverified.) - Adhesive longevity: how long blue painter's tape adhesive remains stable on a PCB before degrading or becoming difficult to remove cleanly is not established. Plan for removal within a short window and avoid leaving the mod in place indefinitely. (Unverified.) - LED heat retention: whether tape on the back of the PCB traps heat around surface-mount LEDs or affects their longevity is not demonstrated or measured. If your PCB has underside LEDs near the taped area, monitor for any thermal change. (Unverified.) - Specific acoustic outcome: the video shows a before-and-after typing comparison (00:50, 00:52) but does not measure or claim a specific result such as reduced ping or increased bass. Treat any perceived change as subjective until you have compared recordings yourself on your own board.

Sources

Video source

Original video — Scope: observed actions and visible labels; creator statements remain attributed, not independently verified.

External sources

10 Mods to Improve Your Mechanical Keyboard — Context only: “Orange painter's tape added to the back of a keyboard's PCB. Credit: Ismar Hrnjicevic/How-To Geek The Tempest tape mod is an easy way to make your keyboard sound thockier without spending real money. It involves adding one or more layers of painter's tape to the back of your keyboard's PCB. This mod makes your keyboard sound deeper, as it reduces the sharpness of keystrokes. As an added bonus, the added material slightly increases rigidity, improving overall typing stability. [...] The spacebar is the largest and one of the most used keys, so it deserves some extra tender loving care. While lubing and tuning your stabs does wonders for how your spacebar sounds, you can still go a step further by adding some spacebar foam or a few layers of painter's … [excerpt truncated]”

How to "Tempest" Tape Mod Your Keyboard - Switch and Click — Context only: “The tape is meant to keep sound from travelling past the PCB, and accentuates certain frequencies while muting others. ## What Kind of Tape Should I Use? It is recommended to use a paper tape with low adhesive strength. Blue Painter’s Tape is the most recommended and widely used tape for the modification. Artist’s Tape is a good alternative paper tape with low stickiness, but it can be a little more expensive. [...] Tape Mod is a popular new keyboard modification created by community member and Youtuber “Tempest” in June of 2021. In the Tempest Tape Mod, wide strips of tape are applied in multiple layers to the underside of the PCB to change the sound profile of your keyboard and reduce hollowness. [...] Disassemble your keyboard and remove the … [excerpt truncated]”

Q1 Max Tape Mod : r/Keychron — Context only: “Sorry if this has been asked a lot in the past, but is it safe to do the tempest tape mod on a wireless Q1 Max? I really like using the keyboard wireless, and I would use something like two layers of Scotch or Clean Release painter's tape. Also, not sure if those are good/safe tapes to use... … [excerpt truncated]”

Modding Your Mechanical Keyboard Using Tempest Tape Mod — Context only: “Modding Your Mechanical Keyboard Using Tempest Tape Mod Keyboard modding is a great way to customize your mechanical keyboard and improve its sound and feel. **How to Perform a Tempest Tape Mod on Your Mechanical Keyboard** You've arrived at the heart of the article, which is enhancing your keyboard's sound and feel through the process of tape modding. The tape is typically applied in multiple layers, and it is thought to improve the sound profile of the keyboard by reducing hollowness and making the sound more "poppy." ### **Step-by-step Guide** The tempest tape mod is a relatively simple mod to do, and it can be done with materials that are readily available. 6. Test out your keyboard to see how the tempest tape mod has affected the sound profile. … [excerpt truncated]”

Unverified

Specifications and claims not explicitly supported by the video or the cited passages remain unverified; this guide is not an independent hands-on test.