Labels on things like keyboards, appliances, and other devices used to be embossed or embedded in such a way that they didn’t just rub off. Now they seem to be nothing but a little superficial paint or plastic stick-ons that wear off fast. What can I do to keep them legible? Nearly all my letter keys are too worn to read. I can’t see buying a new keyboard just for that, but I still have to look at the keyboard to type.

My pro-quality curling iron has also lost all the temperature markings, and a new one of those would cost much more than a new keyboard. The only thing wrong with it is that I don’t know which way on the dial makes it hotter.

Is there any way to treat these things when they’re new so that the markings remain visible? And is there anything I can put on them now that will last?