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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Orphagn on Fri, 06 May 2011, 21:21:58

Title: Stanky keyboard
Post by: Orphagn on Fri, 06 May 2011, 21:21:58

I just bought a Filco tenkeyless and it is embedded with the smell of smoke. Any got some tips to get this stench out?

Title: Stanky keyboard
Post by: ThinkRob on Fri, 06 May 2011, 21:37:54

Hmmm... well in my experience nothing can ever *completely* remove the smell of smoke from computer gear that's been exposed to it for a long time.  That said, what I've done (with pretty good results) is to simply prop the affected gear up in front of a very, very strong fan and leave it there for a couple days on end.  If you've got a powered air duster, that's even better, as a good couple-minute-long blasting from one of those can do wonders when it comes to decreasing foul odors.

Title: Stanky keyboard
Post by: Mr. Perfect on Sat, 07 May 2011, 19:14:09

I bought a case like that once... The smell actually seemed to come from a film of smoke residue on the case, cleaning it multiple times with windex and paper towels helped considerably(clean until the towels stop turning yellow). Then again, you've got a lot of surfaces to wash on that thing. Maybe a denture tab cleaning would help?

Title: Stanky keyboard
Post by: isp on Sat, 07 May 2011, 21:25:23

If that wasn't mentioned in the description then I'd want a little bit of money back..sheesh

Title: Stanky keyboard
Post by: Findecanor on Sun, 08 May 2011, 05:33:55

If it hadn't been mentioned in the sales description and I had paid reasonable money for it, then I would demand my money back and return the keyboard. Then I would kick the seller in the groin. He deserves it.

Title: Stanky keyboard
Post by: Ascaii on Sun, 08 May 2011, 05:50:43

denture tabs are the way to go for the caps + casing. Not for the pcb.

theyll come out of the bath minty fresh

Title: Stanky keyboard
Post by: sixty on Sun, 08 May 2011, 06:16:52

Start smoking. Give it a few weeks and you won't notice it anymore. :hand:

Title: Stanky keyboard
Post by: domin8r on Sun, 08 May 2011, 07:01:51

Quote from: sixty;343264

Start smoking. Give it a few weeks and you won't notice it anymore. :hand:

Hahaha, that's the best suggestion so far! :D

Title: Stanky keyboard
Post by: keyb_gr on Sun, 08 May 2011, 15:02:36

Clean case and keys separately, PCB where easily possible. Don't forget the cable. Place PCB in a bag with some coffee powder for a day or so.

If that doesn't help, I don't know what will.

Title: Stanky keyboard
Post by: Surly73 on Mon, 09 May 2011, 08:27:55

As others have suggested, physical cleaning is your only hope.  Separate anything inert which can be (case, stabilizers, key caps, cable) and get it cleaned in water plus some kind of cleaner.  Working with the PCB+plate+switches requires more finesse since you don't want to get anything in the switches which interferes with operation or changes the character significantly.  Blowing/vacuuming dust is a must - you want to get down to the plastic and the smoke film and nothing else.  I wouldn't have many qualms about using a zero residue commercial contact cleaner on the entire board.  Sometimes these act as degreasers so don't focus the spray into the switches, but wash the entire board.  Any kind of soft brush scrubbing and wipedown with paper toweling will help get the crud off.  After that you could try the coffee, ionizer, forced fresh air etc... techniques to get rid of any remaining smell.

Then reassemble and see where you stand...