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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: metalliqaz on Sat, 17 November 2012, 13:37:06

Title: Model M: preserving the stickers during cleaning
Post by: metalliqaz on Sat, 17 November 2012, 13:37:06

I'm about to diassemble and clean my Model M.  I will probably get some denture tabs for the keys, but I'm not sure what to do about the case.  I don't want to submerge it in anything because I don't want to destroy the stickers.  So, what is the best way to clean the case while preserving the stickers?

Title: Re: Model M: preserving the stickers during cleaning
Post by: SmallFry on Sat, 17 November 2012, 14:10:37

I used a sponge and dishwater with mine. Worked like a charm!

Title: Re: Model M: preserving the stickers during cleaning
Post by: metalliqaz on Sat, 17 November 2012, 14:38:24

Keys are coming out from the Oxyclean.  Look great.  Amazing how well the IBM stuff holds up.

Title: Re: Model M: preserving the stickers during cleaning
Post by: fohat.digs on Sat, 17 November 2012, 14:44:43

The stickers will survive a non-aggressive washing, I have done several. The big IBM stickers, that is. The ancillary paper stickers without plastic coating are weaker, but it can still be done.

Clean the case back of all big stuff and junk like black marks (try a pencil eraser) and adhesive residue (organic solvent such as citrus oil), until you are down to "just plain old dirt" for the final wash.

Wash with warm soapy water in the kitchen sink and rinse well. You will see a discolored trace around the edge of the sticker where the paper under layer is wet below the plastic upper layer, but this will go away.

I would advise you not to scrub the sticker, and make the sticker area the last to be soaped and the first to be rinsed. You can work your way around everywhere else to keep the contact time between the sticker and wetness to a minimum.

I use dish soap for this, and laundry soap with "oxi" added for everything else, including keys.

Title: Re: Model M: preserving the stickers during cleaning
Post by: metalliqaz on Sat, 17 November 2012, 16:26:42

I cannot believe how gross the keybed was.  Looking much better now.  I ended up just using a sponge on the case and not paying much attention to the bottom.  This isn't a very nice example, so it doesn't have to be perfect.

Title: Re: Model M: preserving the stickers during cleaning
Post by: metalliqaz on Sat, 17 November 2012, 17:12:10

[attach=1]
You can see a bit of the grossness in that pic of the tool I needed to buy.
[attachimg=2]
Looks ready to go!

Title: Re: Model M: preserving the stickers during cleaning
Post by: xsphat on Sun, 18 November 2012, 20:12:21

For stains or other areas of discoloration use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. The chalkboard sounds will give you nightmares but they work better than anything I have found.

Title: Re: Model M: preserving the stickers during cleaning
Post by: 1391406 on Sun, 18 November 2012, 20:32:00

I've always used straight 91% alcohol. It works like a charm and even removes pen marks.