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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: henrickdavis on Sat, 08 December 2012, 17:06:55

Title: Stuck key after spillage on Blackwidow Ultimate
Post by: henrickdavis on Sat, 08 December 2012, 17:06:55
Ok, I spilled some coke on my BWU yesterday, it seemed fine at first, I removed some keycaps, dried it and it worked well. Today, I noticed that the Shift key was sticking horribly (most likely because of the sugar). I sprayed some 99% isopropyl alcohol in it, let it dry and it worked fine for about an hour before returning to its initial state. I also tried blowing into it, worked fine for a couple minutes...
What can I do now except for getting a new keyboard? Is there some kind of lubricant I can use? I heard that cleaning switches can remove the lubricant within them. I was thinking WD40, but read that it's a horrible idea. I also read that DeoxIT worked fine. What about re-soldering? Seems like it would be challenging, but interesting, I could get a keycap from Ebay and borrow a soldering iron somewhere, but I'd rather not resort to it.
Thanks for the help.
Title: Re: Stuck key after spillage on Blackwidow Ultimate
Post by: NikoGasm on Sat, 08 December 2012, 17:12:32
When it comes to Blue switches there isn't much you can do. If you lube it it'll lose it's tactile feeling. If you want the switch to be like it was you'll have to solder on a new one. You can buy switches for £.080 over at www.qwerkeys.co.uk.
Title: Re: Stuck key after spillage on Blackwidow Ultimate
Post by: henrickdavis on Sat, 08 December 2012, 17:15:02
When it comes to Blue switches there isn't much you can do. If you lube it it'll lose it's tactile feeling. If you want the switch to be like it was you'll have to solder on a new one. You can buy switches for £.080 over at www.qwerkeys.co.uk.
Is it actually hard? I have a friend who works at a garage, I guess he has a soldering iron somewhere and I can borrow it, but I wouldn't like to destroy something of this keyboard.
Title: Re: Stuck key after spillage on Blackwidow Ultimate
Post by: NikoGasm on Sat, 08 December 2012, 17:17:23
No, it's not really too hard. My first time trying to remove a switch was my first time soldering at all, and even I was successful. However, this particular keyboard can be just a tad difficult to get into.

You know, I do have a fully functional BWU for sale if this ordeal doesn't work out for you. (;
Title: Re: Stuck key after spillage on Blackwidow Ultimate
Post by: henrickdavis on Sat, 08 December 2012, 18:09:26
bump
Title: Re: Stuck key after spillage on Blackwidow Ultimate
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 08 December 2012, 20:05:15
It's a sign from GOD, that you need to get a "real" mechanical keyboard, one that doesn't suk....
Title: Re: Stuck key after spillage on Blackwidow Ultimate
Post by: esoomenona on Sat, 08 December 2012, 20:26:48
http://imgur.com/a/9sHx7#10
Title: Re: Stuck key after spillage on Blackwidow Ultimate
Post by: laffindude on Sun, 09 December 2012, 03:26:06
Given the amount of Blackwidow owners spilling their drink, Razer really need to include sippy cup as standard accessory.
Title: Re: Stuck key after spillage on Blackwidow Ultimate
Post by: Human on Sun, 09 December 2012, 03:32:07
When it comes to Blue switches there isn't much you can do. If you lube it it'll lose it's tactile feeling. If you want the switch to be like it was you'll have to solder on a new one. You can buy switches for £.080 over at www.qwerkeys.co.uk.
Is it actually hard? I have a friend who works at a garage, I guess he has a soldering iron somewhere and I can borrow it, but I wouldn't like to destroy something of this keyboard.

IMO, it is quite hard to pry off the case of the BWU carefully so that it doesn't damage anything to it.
Once you passed it, the rest is quite fine and easy.

Though, I do notice that it is also quite hard to remove the switches on BWU as compared to other boards.
The switches stuck more tightly on the steel plate and require some tricks to remove it.
I forcefully pry the switch off(a broken switch) after all other means failed. 
Title: Re: Stuck key after spillage on Blackwidow Ultimate
Post by: Leslieann on Sun, 09 December 2012, 03:47:57
Black Widows had/have a habit of sticking if keys are not perfectly positioned (particularly the space and left shift key), when you removed it, it's possible it now rubs on one side or more. If this is the case, and again, this is a known, common issue, the options are send it back or sand the bottom edge of the keys down where they rub (it is easily hidden when re-assembled).

I would check this before you start prepping the soldering tool.
Title: Re: Stuck key after spillage on Blackwidow Ultimate
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 09 December 2012, 03:55:39
Given the amount of Blackwidow owners spilling their drink, Razer really need to include sippy cup as standard accessory.

I LOLed at this :))
Title: Re: Stuck key after spillage on Blackwidow Ultimate
Post by: MissMurd3r84 on Sun, 09 December 2012, 04:25:07
Wonder if the plate will go rusty, since mine did without liquid, I wonder what liquid would actually do to it.
Title: Re: Stuck key after spillage on Blackwidow Ultimate
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 09 December 2012, 07:47:44
Wonder if the plate will go rusty, since mine did without liquid, I wonder what liquid would actually do to it.

Well, since you live in the Amazon river basin, the high humidity might've caused premature rusting.
Title: Re: Stuck key after spillage on Blackwidow Ultimate
Post by: wetto on Sun, 09 December 2012, 07:56:50
Wonder if the plate will go rusty, since mine did without liquid, I wonder what liquid would actually do to it.

Well, since you live in the Amazon river basin, the high humidity might've caused premature rusting.

Nay, it's not the river's fault, I just cleaned my Das Keyboard yesterday and its OK  :))
Title: Re: Stuck key after spillage on Blackwidow Ultimate
Post by: YMSNoms on Mon, 10 December 2012, 15:40:32
I have to say Having used  BWU you were probably better off pouring acid all over it, personally I'd have to say its an awful keyboard.
But I'veput my QFR, My Filco and my old topre in the dishwasher for cleaning purposes and aslong as it isnt too hot and you are thorough with your cleaning it's fine.
Title: Re: Stuck key after spillage on Blackwidow Ultimate
Post by: Leslieann on Mon, 10 December 2012, 16:48:48
Wonder if the plate will go rusty, since mine did without liquid, I wonder what liquid would actually do to it.
It was bad paint prep or contaminated paint for that specific batch, most likely due to the manufacturer being cheap and not checking or just not caring enough. It happens more often than people realize.

As long as it is prepped properly, and the paint is good, there is no reason for it to rust as the paint would seal it from any moisture. Considering these were not exposed to the elements and how quickly it happened, it's likely the plates were exposed to the elements prior to paint and not properly prepped after. This isn't something Razer would have been aware of.

My BWU, has no rust on the plate.