How to disassemble a Unicomp Ultra Classic?

[fountainhead]

I want to take my Unicomp Ultra Classic apart for some cleaning. So far, I was able to remove the bolts on the back and pull up the front part of the case, as well as remove the key caps. But how does one take apart the rest of the keyboard? The metal plate feels like it's glued to the back. I've read elsewhere that it's held by some double-sided tape, but that must be some really strong tape because I'm pulling on it (the metal plate) really hard and I'm afraid if I do it any more, I will break something. Is there a trick to doing this?

[E TwentyNine]

You can't remove the metal without breaking the assembly requiring a bolt mod.  Unless you're having an issue with keys not registering, there's no reason to go in there anyway.

[fountainhead]

Thanks! No wonder. I was hoping to take it apart and put the plastic components in the dishwasher, as I do with regular membrane keyboards. Guess I'll have to do it the hard way, with a Q-tip!

[ag36]

Never wash any keyboard parts in dishwasher unless you want to ruin it.

[E TwentyNine]

Never wash any keyboard parts in dishwasher unless you want to ruin it.

This is not true, as long as your dishwasher water temperature isn't set insanely high and you don't use the heated dry setting.

I've put M cases, barrel plates, and of course keys through the dishwasher no problem.

[Snowdog993]

I happened to get one that was run through a dishwasher.

https://imgur.com/a/b4Q7Q

Please don't do this with a Model M.  If you want to clean it, take your time and do it the right way.

[fountainhead]

Please don't do this with a Model M.  If you want to clean it, take your time and do it the right way.

Don't worry, I'd be a lot more wary of doing it with an original Model M (one of which I don't own yet, sadly). And, even with my Unicomp, I'm only seeking to wash the plastic parts that get all kinds of coffee stains and other gunk stuck on them. I was already able to run the keycaps through the dishwasher in a mesh bag and they cleaned up nicely, but I found no easy way to separate the black plastic part that houses the actual keys and springs, so all I could do was clean the worst parts with a Q-tip. Perhaps someday, if I'm feeling more adventurous, and this thing is in dire need of a cleaning, I'll run the whole thing through the dishwasher - top rack, no soap, no heat, and let it dry out for a week.

[Snowdog993]

Perhaps someday, if I'm feeling more adventurous, and this thing is in dire need of a cleaning, I'll run the whole thing through the dishwasher - top rack, no soap, no heat, and let it dry out for a week.

No. I can't emphasize this enough. Just don't even think about it.

[fohat.digs]

Whatever happened to hot soapy water and a sponge?

Cleaning keyboards is not that hard.