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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: Giorgio on Fri, 30 September 2016, 06:02:39

Title: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: Giorgio on Fri, 30 September 2016, 06:02:39
How do you clean your GMK abs keycaps when you don't have time to remove them from the keyboard?

Do you use isopropyl alcool, or a less strong disinfectant agent?

According to the attached pdf
http://www.geotechenv.com/Reference_Pages/chemical_compatibility_table.pdf
on ABS plastic you can use:
Isopropyl Alcohol
Hydrogen Peroxide (dilute)
Sodium Hypochlorite 20%

But you can't clean them with Ethyl Alcohol (which is the kind of alcohol that you can drink).


https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=68721.0
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 30 September 2016, 06:43:46
You really should always remove caps to clean them.
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: Diokhan on Fri, 30 September 2016, 07:10:46

But you can't clean them with Ethyl Alcohol (which is the kind of alcohol that you can drink).


So dont drink your vodka near your keyboard, check.
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: romevi on Fri, 30 September 2016, 11:13:23
Wait. You actually own GMK keycaps?  :-\
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: 27 on Fri, 30 September 2016, 11:27:37
I use denture tablets in warm water.  Give em a little scrub, and dry thoroughly before putting them back on your board.
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: Vagabond on Fri, 30 September 2016, 14:34:00
Are baby wipes OK?
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: Giorgio on Fri, 30 September 2016, 14:57:50
Wait. You actually own GMK keycaps?  :-\

Do you?
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: 27 on Fri, 30 September 2016, 14:58:56
Wait. You actually own GMK keycaps?  :-\

Do you?

DOES ANYONE?
[X-files theme]
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: naasfu on Fri, 30 September 2016, 14:58:57
i think someone mentioned that rubbing alcohol removed pad printing for gmk caps.  i would stick to a dab of mild dishwashing liquid/hand soap with damp cloth.

but the best way for me is to use a cheap ultrasonic cleaner and throw the caps in with mild soap.
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: Giorgio on Sat, 01 October 2016, 01:32:26
Wait. You actually own GMK keycaps?  :-\

Do you?

DOES ANYONE?
[X-files theme]

We are owned by gmk.
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: Puddsy on Sat, 01 October 2016, 20:44:27
Soap and warm water in a bowl. Move them around for 5-10 minutes. Repeat once every 3 months.
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 02 October 2016, 04:00:06
You won't be able to get them properly clean without removing them from the keyboard.
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: Giorgio on Sun, 02 October 2016, 07:34:00
You won't be able to get them properly clean without removing them from the keyboard.

I agree, but using it at the office, compromises are necessary :-)
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: Moistgun on Sun, 02 October 2016, 08:49:33
You won't be able to get them properly clean without removing them from the keyboard.

I agree, but using it at the office, compromises are necessary :-)
Is it bolted to the desk at work?
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: Giorgio on Sun, 02 October 2016, 09:36:33
You won't be able to get them properly clean without removing them from the keyboard.

I agree, but using it at the office, compromises are necessary :-)
Is it bolted to the desk at work?


Should I take it home to clean it? Or should I close myself in my office with a basin filled with water? Or should I clean it in the main hall, cleaning each key cap with a tooth brush?  :))
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: Moistgun on Sun, 02 October 2016, 10:00:12
You won't be able to get them properly clean without removing them from the keyboard.

I agree, but using it at the office, compromises are necessary :-)
Is it bolted to the desk at work?


Should I take it home to clean it? Or should I close myself in my office with a basin filled with water? Or should I clean it in the main hall, cleaning each key cap with a tooth brush?  :))
You should take it home to clean it
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: duynguyenle on Sun, 02 October 2016, 10:22:09
You won't be able to get them properly clean without removing them from the keyboard.

I agree, but using it at the office, compromises are necessary :-)
Is it bolted to the desk at work?


Should I take it home to clean it? Or should I close myself in my office with a basin filled with water? Or should I clean it in the main hall, cleaning each key cap with a tooth brush?  :))

I take my board home and clean the caps properly with denture tabs and a soft bristled brush. For quick touch-up at the office, wetwipes usually do fine
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: KHAANNN on Sun, 02 October 2016, 14:26:11
I just carve out the surface and side of the keycaps with my nails and move on
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: noisyturtle on Sun, 02 October 2016, 14:41:59
I just take them off my board and scrub them in some warm soapy water like any other keycap. Why would GMK caps be any different?
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 02 October 2016, 21:04:48
You won't be able to get them properly clean without removing them from the keyboard.

I agree, but using it at the office, compromises are necessary :-)

Just like removing a computer case and blowing the dust out at work from time to time it necessary, so is removing keycaps and cleaning them.

Although I haven't kept one keyboard here long enough to get dirty, and tend to type with clean hands and thus not make it dirty anyway, I haven't needed to clean my keycaps at work (yet).

Although should I need to, a bowl of warm water placed discreetly at the other end of my desk would not be too far out of place.
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: ideus on Sun, 02 October 2016, 21:24:01
Just wash them with dish soap and plenty of water.
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: Vagabond on Tue, 04 October 2016, 09:47:52
Antibacterial!

https://www.amazon.com/Read-Right-KeyWipes-Keyboard-RR1233/dp/B001GXHHNS
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: Giorgio on Tue, 04 October 2016, 10:28:19
Antibacterial!

https://www.amazon.com/Read-Right-KeyWipes-Keyboard-RR1233/dp/B001GXHHNS

premoistened with what? Not necessarily something not dangerous for plastic.
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: vaughno on Tue, 03 September 2019, 17:09:24
Antibacterial!

https://www.amazon.com/Read-Right-KeyWipes-Keyboard-RR1233/dp/B001GXHHNS

It is safe to use dish soap?
Title: Re: How to clean GMK keycaps
Post by: Rob27shred on Tue, 03 September 2019, 17:16:15
Just use ammonia free glass cleaner sprayed on a rag that won't shed real bad & wipe the tops of the keys off for a quick clean. Although as most others recommended if they are really dirty taking the board home, removing the caps, & soaking them in warm water with a denture tab or some mild dish soap, then scrubbing them with a soft toothbrush or soft rag is a much better way to clean them. The best & easiest way is toss them in an ultrasonic cleaner with a denture tab or tiny bit of mild dish soap, although ultrasonic cleaners skyrocket in price with the size of the tub & a cheap one for cleaning jewelry will not hold a quarter of a GMK set in one go.