An improvement over what was on there. 
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Hmm, honestly, no idea. I would not like the idea of adding anything that could interact chemically with the keycaps. I really think the best option is to accept they will age, but pick which ageing result pisses you off the least (sticky or oily).
Ultimately, I don’t know enough about industrial chemistry to give you a definitive answer. I’m just a small keyboard nerd who would pick PBT anyday as my keyboards don’t need transparency.
Maybe specialized forums about keyboards have tried your solution. You should ask them!
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FWIW, double-shot PBT with transparency is possible and keycap sets like that have been around a good few years now.
I have some Tai Hao ones here that weren’t expensive at all in mechanical keyboard terms… Dare I say I paid a fair bit less for the full 140 key set than Elektron are charging for these replacements after shipping.
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Ah nice to know! My knowledge on this is quite old. ABS + PBT keys used to suck due to disparities in how fast the different plastics shrink… or something haha.
So, if it’s more of a thing now, Elektron’s caps just may be that, for all I know. If the black plastic is PBT though, it has to be by far the smoothest PBT molding I have EVER seen. So…
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Nice! The pics give me confidence, looks really great! I’m going to pre-emptively order a set for every Elektron I have. That way, if I cannot order to original rubbery versions anymore (which should originally be on there, I’m a fickler for that) because attention has shifted to newer machines, I still have the long-lasting versions as a final solution.
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Can anyone in the US who might have recently ordered Elektron’s replacement keycaps from Sweden comment on if there were additional tariffs applied?
Thanks!
I purchased an octatrack mk1 crossfader a few weeks ago and did not.
For those affected, how are everyone’s knobs holding up so far? You know what I mean.
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I moved a few months ago and since then a Syntakt, a DN MK1 and a Minibrute 2s all have turned sticky after years of being fine. Damn. Guess I‘ll have to get those new non-rubberized buttons rather sooner than later. Shame about the price.
Recently I got a used Tonverk and the previous owner apparently installed the smooth caps. Having witnessed the stickification process quasi daily gives me a real appreciation of the comparatively basic haptic experience these new buttons offer.
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not Elektron related but this is what has become of Waldorf XT set of encoders caps 
i managed to clean them all a few times but i think it’s probably a good idea to get a new set now
the one with the broken top disintegrated after i barely touched it to remove the sticky(ish) substance
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Did you buy it in 1910 ?
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i think around that time if i remember correectly…most probably before 1915 that’s for sure… 
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Hi guys, has anyone got the Smooth Surface replacement buttons yet? I need a new set for my DN and I’m wondering which ones I should go to. I don’t dislike fresh rubberized buttons (tried on a Digitakt) but I would prefer the smooth ones if they are OK…
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I would definitely try smooth ones !
I don’t think the touch feeling is wrong, and
I have no interest in anything that degrades naturally.
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Finally got round to switching the buttons over on my digitakt. Bit of a scare as the paper packet they came in was torn and looked like someone had nicked some. But all there and on, so very happy.
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In case you are still on the fence, I replaced the buttons on all my Elektrons with the smooth ones a couple of months ago and never looking back 
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That looks much better, I will look into getting a new set. Thanks @lopodyr also for the reply
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Just discovered the same video, so reposting 
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Yeah I don’t think I’d recommend it, but it looks like it works!
I got some nice keys from @LaVernWinston and I love them.
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