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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: skcheng on Sun, 09 May 2010, 10:50:41

Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: skcheng on Sun, 09 May 2010, 10:50:41: I know that this has been mentioned before, but I figure this is worth rementioning. As most here know, I happen to be a clean freak. Clean and vintage are often contrasting terms.

I've tried just about everything now to clean keys, frames, covers, cords etc... Why people used to place stickers and use ink pens on their keyboards is beyond me?? I had mentioned at some point that aggressively cleaning the painted metal casing of my much loved AT-F boards is not a good idea. I've managed to remove paint into primer and down to metal. No biggee since my friendly neighborhood body shop will prime/paint the thing for me, but lesson learned.

I wish I had taken "before" pictures, but the seller of this board mentioned that the keys are a 9/10, but that the case is about a 6.5/10. I think that was conservative, but there were multiple scuff marks, ink stains, and other non descript black streaks that just wouldn't come off with the usual chemicals. Simple Greeen, Orange Solvent, 409, alcohol etc....

So enter this product:

(http://www.tristalerit.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/mr-clean-magic-erasers.jpg)

Wet slightly, and scrub. That's it. Here is my AT-F after about 5 minutes of light clean up. I'd say this board is at least a 6.75/10 now LOL. Great stuff and stupid simple which is how I like it.

On to the pics:

(http://fototime.com/2395C0729643DD1/standard.jpg)

(http://fototime.com/7BB59ED9FE4C37B/standard.jpg)

(http://fototime.com/08C91DC11713328/standard.jpg)

(http://fototime.com/4DA383D5B3EA7EE/standard.jpg)

Do NOT scrub that metal IBM plate. The letters will come off if you're not careful. I use a diaper wipe to lightly clean and that's it. So far that's been safe and it leaves a nice fresh scent.

Enjoy,

skc
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: kishy on Sun, 09 May 2010, 12:04:13: Worth mentioning but not deserving of its own thread: I've had success using a metal-bristle golf ball brush on plastic Model M cases. You'd (and I did) expect it to scratch the plastic but no, strangely it doesn't...just takes off pen writing and tough dirt.
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: microsoft windows on Sun, 09 May 2010, 12:15:36: You can clean just about anything with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: ch_123 on Sun, 09 May 2010, 15:16:14: Heh, Mr. Clean. Funny to see how brands vary from region to region.

In the UK and Ireland, he's called Flash. If memory serves me correct, I've seen him branded in Spain and Italy as Mr. Proper and Mastro Lindo respectively.
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: nowsharing on Sun, 09 May 2010, 15:43:39: I'll have to try the magic eraser. One of my boards has tiny drops of india ink or black paint all over it. Nothing so far has phased it. I ended up trying finger nail polish, which just formed larger black smudges.

That's my story.
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: didjamatic on Sun, 09 May 2010, 15:52:12: Haha, I didn't know anyone had posted using magic erasers here before. I use them when refurbishing all kinds of things and I would never have been able to get my clean Cherry Ivory board back to Ivory without it. It's the single dirtiest board I ever got and you'd never know it by looking at it, it's clean as can be. Did you know you can even remove some yellowing with a magic eraser? Because it takes off an ultra thin coat of the plastic/paint/whatever your'e cleaning, but without grinding deep into it, you can actually whiten some things up a bit.

SKC, that is one awesome clean job on that ATF. Nice work as always.
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: Mercen_505 on Sun, 09 May 2010, 17:50:53: Magic Eraser works wonders on keyboards. However... on my model F AT there is a spot where the surface has been scraped away to reveal a light gray plastic. I thought it was just dirt, but after a thorough scrubbing I noticed the spot was growing as I scraped away even more plastic with the eraser! I don't think the model M suffers from that, as I have one with a deep gouge and there isn't any darker plastic underneath.
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: skcheng on Sun, 09 May 2010, 17:53:44: Quote from: webwit;180480
So it's a micro-polisher. I use the professional stuff, not consumer grade. Nah, I bet it is all the same, and what sets 'em apart is branding and marketing.

Have you tried the Magic Eraser?? You'd love it. If you can't find some there, let me know and I'll send you some.
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: skcheng on Sun, 09 May 2010, 17:56:41: Quote from: Mercen_505;180502
Magic Eraser works wonders on keyboards. However... on my model F AT there is a spot where the surface has been scraped away to reveal a light gray plastic. I thought it was just dirt, but after a thorough scrubbing I noticed the spot was growing as I scraped away even more plastic with the eraser! I don't think the model M suffers from that, as I have one with a deep gouge and there isn't any darker plastic underneath.

The AT F isn't molded plastic like the Model M. It's paint, and then primer over that top case. A deep gouge can't be cleaned up. But scuffs, ink, dirt can wipe away with the Magic Eraser. That's why a deep scratch will show silver on the AT F. Or if you're hyper aggressive cleaning the AT F, you can manage to go right through the paint.
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: skcheng on Sun, 09 May 2010, 18:11:08: Quote from: webwit;180517
What's in it? I have a feeling it's the same thing.

I don't know what's in it. That's why it's Magic :)
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: nowsharing on Sun, 09 May 2010, 18:16:22: Quote
on my model F AT there is a spot where the surface has been scraped away to reveal a light gray plastic.
The F's are painted IIRC, so there's more of a chance of damaging them when cleaning.

edit: I missed skcheng's post above. Sorry for the redundancy.
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: Mercen_505 on Sun, 09 May 2010, 19:39:53: Quote
What's in it? I have a feeling it's the same thing.

Magic Eraser is melamine foam (micro-abrasive) soaked in ammonia and probably some other stuff as well. Add a little water, then start scrubbing!
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: skcheng on Mon, 10 May 2010, 06:58:48: Quote from: ripster;180555
I like Novus plastic polish. (http://www.novuspolish.com/)
Show Image
(http://208.131.146.217/mm5/graphics/00000001/novus%20group1.jpg)

Can also restore scratched DVDs/CDs.

Three steps?? Ackk.
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: didjamatic on Mon, 10 May 2010, 10:48:51: I only use magic erasers dry, no water or cleaners. They are amazing. I have young kids and markers/pens/etc in the house and magic erasers have saved their lives repeatedly.
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: mrbill on Mon, 10 May 2010, 23:38:16: Quote from: webwit;180709
Does anyone know, what's the stuff you can buy to remove scratches from iPods and such, and is it useful?

I've bought the specialty stuff, but it's easier to just buy a can of Brasso and use it sparingly; you get the same result. I've used the same can of Brasso for 5-6 years now and used it to polish out scratches before sending iPods and phones to their new owners.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brasso
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: ricercar on Tue, 11 May 2010, 00:10:48: Brasso is awesome stuff. I use it to polish scratches out of optical discs.
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: Rajagra on Tue, 11 May 2010, 05:13:10: Quote from: ricercar;180889
Brasso is awesome stuff. I use it to polish scratches out of optical discs.

Yes, they did a thorough test that compared the ECC results on CDs 'cleaned' with various methods, and Brasso did the best job of removing scratches.
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 11 May 2010, 09:19:53: I have mine in a silicone case. The silicone is tits.
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: kishy on Tue, 11 May 2010, 12:35:16: I recommend polishing iPods with one of these:

(http://portfolio.itas.ca/~andy.larson/ITAS191T_The_final_project/images/Belt_sander.jpg)
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: kishy on Tue, 11 May 2010, 12:55:13: Ah, I see you've done this before.

Works great, doesn't it?
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 11 May 2010, 13:01:03: I used webwit's process just now. It makes everything look a little... flat.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/Vinyl_record_LP_10inch.JPG)

Funky!
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: skcheng on Tue, 11 May 2010, 13:10:17: Quote from: itlnstln;181092
I used webwit's process just now. It makes everything look a little... flat.

Show Image
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/Vinyl_record_LP_10inch.JPG)

Funky!

I LOVE Telefunken. They make some of the best audio vacuum tubes EVER!!!

And the quality of their lps isn't bad. Not much music on one of those 10" lps though.
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 11 May 2010, 13:14:14: I have a few albums made by them, too. I like to listen to them at home.

(http://www.mixrevolutionblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/dj-premier.jpg)
Title: Magic Eraser and the AT-F
Post by: EverythingIBM on Tue, 11 May 2010, 22:03:24: Quote from: ripster;180555
I like Novus plastic polish. (http://www.novuspolish.com/)
Show Image
(http://208.131.146.217/mm5/graphics/00000001/novus%20group1.jpg)

Can also restore scratched DVDs/CDs.

Can it really fill in scratches on CDs? Some of my DOS games could use a bit of fixing up; as a child I often carelessly left my CDs to be openly scratched.