Cleaning a Dell AT101W switch?

[SmallWalrus]

Hiya all,

I've just ordered a Dell AT101W and am quite excited for it to arrive! Anyhow I've been reading GH threads on how best to clean a mechanical keyboard and it seemed like for the Model Ms you can put the board components into a dishwasher whole (PCB and all) whereas from the Dell AT101W cleaning thread someone mentioned that the switch PCB is to be cleaned by hand...

Suppose the keyboard I got has dust in its switches, how best should I clean them out?

Thanks!

[ch_123]

Something like an AT101W is not going to last a dishwashing... I'd just take the case off, pop off all the keycaps, and them a wash in a bucket of warm water and your kitchen detergent de choix...

[ThirdLap]

I have about 10 AT101Ws.  Since they were in fairly rough shape (and only cost me fifty cents a piece), I decided to use five of them for modding experiments, with very limited success. The upside is that I now have about five hundred spare black Alps switches.

Anyhow, the best way to clean them is to fully disassemble them and scrub the plastic outer casing with hot water and soap. I like to use OxiClean powder and dish/laundry soap. Unlike the Model M, my AT101Ws did not clean easily, and various marks/discolorations were still apparent after lots of elbow grease.

If it is yellowed, high-concentration hydrogen peroxide and sun exposure can sometimes return the plastic to its original state.  Since finding concentrations higher than 5% in stores can be difficult, I use a product called Clairol Professional Creme 30, which costs around $5 in beauty supply stores. You just paint it on and leave it in the sun for a few hours.

Clean the keycaps the same way, using hot water, a household cleaner, and a toothbrush.

The Alps switches are not removable without desoldering, so use a q-tip and alcohol to clean the area around them.  If they are stiff, there's some info in this thread on how to lubricate them.

[microsoft windows]

Most of the time, when a keyboard isn't horribly filthy, a dose of Windex and some paper towels do the trick.

[patrickgeekhack]

I remember a post about using denture cleaning tablets. Maybe give this method a try?

[SmallWalrus]

Thanks for the replies, I never knew collecting clicky keyboards can be so involved. Maybe I should try to pay attention to those NIB ones instead

[ThirdLap]

Maybe I should try to pay attention to those NIB ones instead

Doubt I could bring myself to open a vintage NIB mechanical keyboard.

[ander]

The only reason I'm replying to this old, old thread is to warn people NOT to put an entire Model M—or any other keyboard—in a dishwasher! This is an urban legend—you will RUIN your board!

If you must, you can dishwash ONLY the two halves of the case with all components removed. Dishwasher detergent is highly acidic, though, so even that's overkill. It may also damage the back label with the board's details, depending on its condition.

A bit of liquid dish soap, a dishcloth and some warm water are usually adequate for even moderately grimy M cases. For stubborn dark  marks, try dabbing a bit of Windex on them and letting it sit for a few minutes before you wipe it off. You may also find a white eraser handy.

Okay, enough of the zombie thing. Sinking back into grave...

[klennkellon]

ALPS are unfortunately very susceptible to dirt and debris. Dirty ALPS can feel like crap too.

However, they are very easy to open up and maintain with zero soldering. Just pop the pats out and give the switch a nice burst of compressed air and make sure the slider isn't dirty.

Chryos has a great video on how to maintain ALPS switches

[Keycap]

...and it seemed like for the Model Ms you can put the board components into a dishwasher whole (PCB and all)

I highly advise against doing that for any keyboard, even a rubber dome keyboard. PCBs do not enjoy exposure to water, and membranes get damaged by water as well. Not to mention that the moisture will get trapped inside the membrane. I'm not sure why people even recommend this but it's a terrible method.

Cleaning Alps switches is a must, so at least you're on the right track. Usually what I do is blast air into the bottom shell to clear out all of the dust, soak the top shell and slider in 91% isopropyl alcohol, let it dry (of course), then reassemble. I do not soak the slider if it's with older switches like Blue Alps though.

[klennkellon]

The Dishwasher is good for cleaning the case and the keycaps when the internals are removed.

But if you want to clean the PCB by itself, use a small paint brush and alcohol and wipe it down.

[chyros]

I wouldn't stick ANY part in the dishwasher, not even the case. Dishwashers use pretty hot water don't they?

don't be lazy and just wash it by hand .

[fohat.digs]

Dishwashers use pretty hot water don't they?

They use hot water and very harsh soap. Dishwashers are great for cleaning 2 dozen greasy eating utensils, but plastic keyboard parts are best washed by hand.

And I have had much better results using laundry detergent (powder) on them, anyway.