Author Topic: How to clean scarface caps (Read 5062 times)

longweight · « **on:** Thu, 18 October 2012, 16:35:04 »

Hi all,

So one of the WASD sets seems to be dirty mainly due to skin grease, I always wash my hands before touching these caps so I can't think of anything else that could have caused it.

My question is, what do I do to clean them? They seem to be untreated cast aluminium, any recommendations?

Here is a picture of a dirty key next to a clean key:

SmallFry · « **Reply #1 on:** Thu, 18 October 2012, 16:54:37 »

Erm, mineral spirits or similar?

longweight · « **Reply #2 on:** Thu, 18 October 2012, 16:55:38 »

Can you please link me to something? I will try and pick something up tomorrow.

Batmann · « **Reply #3 on:** Thu, 18 October 2012, 17:01:59 »

hey longweight,
these scarface are awesome, did you get them in a group buy?

longweight · « **Reply #4 on:** Thu, 18 October 2012, 17:11:16 »

Hey,

Thank you

No I spent 6 months looking for them and found someone willing to sell me a set! I have only seen 3 other sets outside of KBDmania.

Batmann · « **Reply #5 on:** Thu, 18 October 2012, 17:25:25 »

was expecting something like this!
Well then enjoy it ^^

longweight · « **Reply #6 on:** Thu, 18 October 2012, 17:26:31 »

Haha yeah they were hard to find but I love them more than any other keyboard thing! They are the only reason that I still have an MX board.

DanGWanG · « **Reply #7 on:** Thu, 18 October 2012, 17:50:35 »

Couldnt you just use dental tabs? Theyre safe on metal

longweight · « **Reply #8 on:** Thu, 18 October 2012, 17:51:14 »

Maybe...! What are dental tabs?

DanGWanG · « **Reply #9 on:** Thu, 18 October 2012, 17:53:23 »

Tablets that you add water to for cleaning dentures. I use them all the time to clean my keycaps.

longweight · « **Reply #10 on:** Thu, 18 October 2012, 17:54:43 »

Ahhhh ok that makes sense

I will pick some up tomorrow, I also have vinegar to try and I have been recommended this: http://www.quickleen.co.uk/quickleen_aluminium_cleaner.htm on another forum so that will be the last resort!

SmallFry · « **Reply #11 on:** Thu, 18 October 2012, 18:33:30 »

That QuickLeen looks abrasive, wouldn't use that myself...

longweight · « **Reply #12 on:** Fri, 19 October 2012, 15:10:50 »

Looks ok to me, what makes you think that it is abrasive?

SmallFry · « **Reply #13 on:** Fri, 19 October 2012, 17:11:55 »

Most metal cleaners are polish which means that they have abrasives in them.

bounce · « **Reply #14 on:** Fri, 19 October 2012, 21:42:46 »

Quote from: DanGWanG on Thu, 18 October 2012, 17:53:23

Tablets that you add water to for cleaning dentures. I use them all the time to clean my keycaps.

say, do u use cold or warm water for the cleaning process?

SmallFry · « **Reply #15 on:** Fri, 19 October 2012, 21:43:50 »

Doesn't matter if you let it sit it'll just get cold anyways.

jeroplane · « **Reply #16 on:** Sat, 20 October 2012, 02:44:58 »

Quote from: bounce on Fri, 19 October 2012, 21:42:46

Quote from: DanGWanG on Thu, 18 October 2012, 17:53:23
Tablets that you add water to for cleaning dentures. I use them all the time to clean my keycaps.
say, do u use cold or warm water for the cleaning process?

The box says use warm water. I use the hottest water out of the tap. It's nowhere near boiling so it won't warp your caps. Warm water always seems to remove grime better than cold (anyone who's ever done the dishes will know this).

longweight · « **Reply #17 on:** Sat, 20 October 2012, 03:03:23 »

Quote from: SmallFry on Fri, 19 October 2012, 17:11:55

Most metal cleaners are polish which means that they have abrasives in them.

Yeah but this is designed for untreated aluminium.

laffindude · « **Reply #18 on:** Sat, 20 October 2012, 04:13:51 »

Magic eraser. Yes it is an abrasive. I've use it to clean MBPs. The discoloration is probably oxidation so you need to use abrasives to clean it.

dorkvader · « **Reply #19 on:** Sat, 20 October 2012, 23:17:36 »

Quote from: longweight on Sat, 20 October 2012, 03:03:23

Quote from: SmallFry on Fri, 19 October 2012, 17:11:55
Most metal cleaners are polish which means that they have abrasives in them.

Yeah but this is designed for untreated aluminium.

Keep in mind that even "untreated" Aluminium will still have a few microns of oxide on the outside, or anywhere in contact with the O2 in air.

Aluminium oxide, or Al2O3, is very hard. Anodyzing is all about making this layer thicker (as well as introducing colour impurities), for better hardness and scratch resistance. I love ceramics.

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Author Topic: How to clean scarface caps (Read 5062 times)