Spilt a Bit of Sticky Liquid on Keyboard, some sticky switches

[PythoN]

feature=youtu.be

Hey geekhack forums,

So about 2 days ago I spilled a bit of Monster Energy on my CM Storm Quickfire Stealth. I quickly proceeded to wipe it, and didn't think that the liquid would make the keys stick. Everything was working perfectly the rest of the night and the next day, but last evening, my tilde, 1, 2, 3, tab and escape keys, as well as my down arrow key have been extremely sticky. When I press the key down it isn't a crisp click, rather it's a mushy sort of thud. The spring seems to be affected by the corn starch in the energy drink I spilled (although the spill was nowhere near my down arrow key, so I don't know what's up with that).

Things I've tried:

isopropyl alcohol (70%, only one I had available) (dripped into switch with a straw)
water

After dripping the alcohol/water into the switch I proceeded to spam it as much as I could for about a minute, and did so with every sticky switch. After this it seemed to work well for the first 10 minutes, then the quality slowly but surely degraded back to its sticky, mushy state.

I've considering removing the switches just to wash the spring (or whatever else the problem is) however my keyboard is plate mounted and I don't have the proper tools nor experience to de-solder this keyboard myself.

Is there any hope left? Or will these few switches forever stick and annoy me without clicking? Is it worth it to use my warranty?

Thanks for the help guys.

[tp4tissue]

Hey geekhack forums,

So about 2 days ago I spilled a bit of Monster Energy on my CM Storm Quickfire Stealth. I quickly proceeded to wipe it, and didn't think that the liquid would make the keys stick. Everything was working perfectly the rest of the night and the next day, but last evening, my tilde, 1, 2, 3, tab and escape keys, as well as my down arrow key have been extremely sticky. When I press the key down it isn't a crisp click, rather it's a mushy sort of thud. The spring seems to be affected by the corn starch in the energy drink I spilled (although the spill was nowhere near my down arrow key, so I don't know what's up with that).

Things I've tried:

isopropyl alcohol (70%, only one I had available) (dripped into switch with a straw)
water

After dripping the alcohol/water into the switch I proceeded to spam it as much as I could for about a minute, and did so with every sticky switch. After this it seemed to work well for the first 10 minutes, then the quality slowly but surely degraded back to its sticky, mushy state.

I've considering removing the switches just to wash the spring (or whatever else the problem is) however my keyboard is plate mounted and I don't have the proper tools nor experience to de-solder this keyboard myself.

Is there any hope left? Or will these few switches forever stick and annoy me without clicking? Is it worth it to use my warranty?

Thanks for the help guys.

PS: video coming soon of me showing the distinction between the sticky switches and the normal ones.

won't work.

desolder sticky ones, and replace with new switches.

[PythoN]

Sorry, I thought I mentioned that I don't have proper desoldering equipment or experience. Is there any simple tutorial for dummies on how to do this? Or is there a place I can bring my keyboard in and have it done for me? (I live in Toronto)

[tp4tissue]

also, "relax".. you're ok... chill.. soldering is easy....

It's exactly like hot glue, except a wi-bit hotter.

[tp4tissue]

If you live in Toronto, find the nearest Asian/ Indian/ European engineering friend, and he can probably do it for you.


ALSO, if you know the kid's father is an engineer chances are good that the kid/ father would be able to do it for you..


Look for engineers.

[CPTBadAss]

Sorry, I thought I mentioned that I don't have proper desoldering equipment or experience. Is there any simple tutorial for dummies on how to do this? Or is there a place I can bring my keyboard in and have it done for me? (I live in Toronto)

Check out these posts: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40501.0#post_II and http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40501.0#post_CCC

Also Sifo is in TO and he offers modding services. PM him and see if he can help you out?

[PythoN]

Thanks for the help!

I guess I'd also have to look into whether I can take it in store/ship it back to coolermaster for free of charge repairs/replacement, since I have a warranty for another 10 months...

[CPTBadAss]

Hm, well CM also has 2 representatives you can PM to ask questions. Carter and Rajiv. They also have a vendor forum where if you ask questions about CM stuff, they'll get you an answer.

[YoungMichael88]

SIFO TO THE RESCUE!!! But yea, get those damaged switches replaced completely for sure. But check that warranty stuff first. Not sure if it would cover liquid damage but I have no idea. If not, SIFO!!!!!!!

[tp4tissue]

fixing it yourself will cost the same as sending it in.

So you might as well use this to buy a learning experience in soldering.

Make sure to buy soldering pump. the CM pcb does not hold up to heat very well, so if it's ur first time soldering, you might want to use a pump to make sure you don't kill the leads.


EVEN if you do kill the ends..

We here at GH can walk you through bridging the traces at alternate locations....

SO WORRY NOT..

There is no way you can **** this up beyond repair...

[meiosis]

I think you can just replace the switch, maybe the springs are the sticky part

[tp4tissue]

I think you can just replace the switch, maybe the springs are the sticky part

don't bother fixing the switch,  just replace it..

[meiosis]

I think you can just replace the switch, maybe the springs are the sticky part

don't bother fixing the switch,  just replace it..

Don't have a gif for that?

[rowdy]

That's two posts without a GIF now.

And no mention of ErgoDox

[YoungMichael88]

Ergo what?

[Obakemono]

also, "relax".. you're ok... chill.. soldering is easy....

Show Image

It's exactly like hot glue, except a wi-bit hotter.

It's nothing like hot glue!

It's easy once you learn the skill, but definitely not like hot glue!

[rowdy]

Sorry, I thought I mentioned that I don't have proper desoldering equipment or experience. Is there any simple tutorial for dummies on how to do this? Or is there a place I can bring my keyboard in and have it done for me? (I live in Toronto)

If you do end up doing it yourself, consider getting a cheap "learning electronics" kit from somewhere to practice soldering.  I made a few of those when I was learning, and it helped a lot.  Once you've done a few solder joints to get the idea, tackling a keyboard will not be such a big deal.

[PythoN]

Thanks a lot guys, you've all been really helpful 

After going to bed last night, I woke up to some of the switches being unstuck! The down arrow key is no longer sticky at all, the 1 and ` keys are still a bit dull but actually make a click, the only truly sticky key left is the 2 key. Maybe I should just wait it out and give it some time? It's much much better now than it was before.

Cheers!

[YoungMichael88]

It's fixing itself? Get outa the house your electronics are coming to life!!!! RUN AWAY!!!