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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: bkforyou on Mon, 31 January 2011, 17:31:21

Title: Maintaining a mechanical keyboard
Post by: bkforyou on Mon, 31 January 2011, 17:31:21

hello everyone. newbie to geekhack here.

recently ordered a Filco browns via armygroup. thanks for the ordering guide btw.

I looked at the sticky-ed "The Geekhack Mechanical Keyboard Guide," but I wasn't able to find anything on maintaining/taking care of a mechanical keyboard.

Anyone have any tips / tricks / products / link / etc for taking care of one?

Title: Maintaining a mechanical keyboard
Post by: keyb_gr on Mon, 31 January 2011, 18:03:40

Just wipe down the keys and case with water and a bit of dishwashing detergent once in a while, and you should be set. If you ever need to get a large amount of dust out, a brush will help. That's about it.

IIRC the Filcos keys aren't too fond of denatured alcohol, so better keep away with that.

Title: Maintaining a mechanical keyboard
Post by: Minskleip on Mon, 31 January 2011, 19:15:44

When I eat I move or cover the board. If I eat something like spagetti with sauce I stay in the living room lest I get skleip all over my monitor. Ain't cool.

Title: Maintaining a mechanical keyboard
Post by: HaiiYaa on Tue, 01 February 2011, 01:12:41

whats wrong with using isopropyl alcohol?

Title: Maintaining a mechanical keyboard
Post by: HaiiYaa on Tue, 01 February 2011, 01:33:07

Quote from: ripster;288132

Bad for you.  Everclear much better.

Actually see the "Das Versus Filco key Plastic chemical and abrasion testing thread (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Das+S+Lasered+Keys+Versus+Filco+Pad+Printed+-+FIGHT)".

well aren't you supposed to use it with a cloth and the njust wipe the keys? not take off the keys and leave it in for 5mins? i never had an issue with it

Title: Maintaining a mechanical keyboard
Post by: digitalleftovers on Tue, 01 February 2011, 10:29:56

My friend had some Isopropyl alcohol spill on his filco.  It actually bleached a couple keys and the top cover (after several minutes of exposure).  So, if you were wondering, that is the reason NOT to use it.  Might make an interesting mod, though.  I don't know how even the effect would be, so it could be a quick way to Tie-dye a keybaord :smile:

Title: Maintaining a mechanical keyboard
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 01 February 2011, 10:38:39

The saying "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is very appropriate with keyboards.  If I do feel the need to clean my 'boards, a Lysol wipe and a feather duster is all I need.  I do dust the keyboard I am using about once a day; it keeps it looking like new.

Title: Maintaining a mechanical keyboard
Post by: bkforyou on Tue, 01 February 2011, 13:12:48

Quote from: ripster;288128

It was here in the Geekhack Keyboard Guide under "All About Keys".  Next time I do an edit I'll make it more explicit.

Thank you ripster.

Title: Maintaining a mechanical keyboard
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 01 February 2011, 13:42:43

Quote from: ripster;288403

"Alcohol is not the solution to all your problems".

I think there's something punny here, but I can't quite put my finger on it.