Author Topic: Maintaining a mechanical keyboard  (Read 2429 times)

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Offline bkforyou

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Maintaining a mechanical keyboard
« on: Mon, 31 January 2011, 17:31:21 »
hello everyone. newbie to geekhack here.

recently ordered a Filco browns via armygroup. thanks for the ordering guide btw.

I looked at the sticky-ed "The Geekhack Mechanical Keyboard Guide," but I wasn't able to find anything on maintaining/taking care of a mechanical keyboard.

Anyone have any tips / tricks / products / link / etc for taking care of one?

Offline keyb_gr

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Maintaining a mechanical keyboard
« Reply #1 on: Mon, 31 January 2011, 18:03:40 »
Just wipe down the keys and case with water and a bit of dishwashing detergent once in a while, and you should be set. If you ever need to get a large amount of dust out, a brush will help. That's about it.

IIRC the Filcos keys aren't too fond of denatured alcohol, so better keep away with that.
Hardware in signatures clutters Google search results. There should be a field in the profile for that (again).

This message was probably typed on a vintage G80-3000 with blues. Double-shots, baby. :D

Offline Minskleip

  • Posts: 230
Maintaining a mechanical keyboard
« Reply #2 on: Mon, 31 January 2011, 19:15:44 »
When I eat I move or cover the board. If I eat something like spagetti with sauce I stay in the living room lest I get skleip all over my monitor. Ain't cool.
What\'s in the back of my car? A cdr lol

Split Tipro keyboard with R3 keycaps

Offline HaiiYaa

  • Posts: 244
Maintaining a mechanical keyboard
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 01 February 2011, 01:12:41 »
whats wrong with using isopropyl alcohol?

Offline HaiiYaa

  • Posts: 244
Maintaining a mechanical keyboard
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 01 February 2011, 01:33:07 »
Quote from: ripster;288132
Bad for you.  Everclear much better.

Actually see the "Das Versus Filco key Plastic chemical and abrasion testing thread".


well aren't you supposed to use it with a cloth and the njust wipe the keys? not take off the keys and leave it in for 5mins? i never had an issue with it

Offline digitalleftovers

  • Posts: 645
Maintaining a mechanical keyboard
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 01 February 2011, 10:29:56 »
My friend had some Isopropyl alcohol spill on his filco.  It actually bleached a couple keys and the top cover (after several minutes of exposure).  So, if you were wondering, that is the reason NOT to use it.  Might make an interesting mod, though.  I don't know how even the effect would be, so it could be a quick way to Tie-dye a keybaord :smile:
Keyboards:
Filco 104 MX Brown (Otaku) - FKBN104M/NPEK 黒い空
Ducky TKL MX Brown/Blue 80% (White) - 1087-F 白の空
KBC Poker MX Red with PBT Key Caps - PFCN6000


"Consumers use touch screens.  Producers use keyboards."

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Maintaining a mechanical keyboard
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 01 February 2011, 10:38:39 »
The saying "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is very appropriate with keyboards.  If I do feel the need to clean my 'boards, a Lysol wipe and a feather duster is all I need.  I do dust the keyboard I am using about once a day; it keeps it looking like new.


Offline bkforyou

  • Thread Starter
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Maintaining a mechanical keyboard
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 01 February 2011, 13:12:48 »
Quote from: ripster;288128
It was here in the Geekhack Keyboard Guide under "All About Keys".  Next time I do an edit I'll make it more explicit.


Thank you ripster.

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Maintaining a mechanical keyboard
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 01 February 2011, 13:42:43 »
Quote from: ripster;288403
"Alcohol is not the solution to all your problems".


I think there's something punny here, but I can't quite put my finger on it.