Newb Question: Do Mechanical Keys harden over time or use?

[shogrran]

Newb here, don't flame please.

I just recently got into the Mechanical Key bandwagon by purchasing the cheapest mechanical keyboard I could get my hands on: the Razer Blackwidow standard edition only of course.

I have a few questions running in my mind.

1. Do these cherry mxblue switches "harden" over time? I have been practicing touch typing and I wonder if the keys hardened or are my fingers just tired.
2. Since I am used to rubber dome keyboards I tend to bottom out the keys. And I tend to bottom them out really hard sometimes specially when typing fast. Does that harm the keys in the blackwidow?
3. I clean it with alcohol (sorry I am from a country where the recommended 'computer' wipes does not exist) is that ok or will it ruin the glossy piano black finish?
4. I did get my hands on an can of compressed air but its low quality.. what is inside these compressed air cans anyway? theres some fluid that comes out sometimes... what is it? will it harm electronics if accidentally sprayed on the device? Or is it  a substance that is harmless to electronics and / or super volatile that it evaporates in the air as soon as it comes out of the can?

Hopefully some kind expert answers my newb question.

[daerid]

I don't think they "harden". Most switches soften over time. You may be used to the fact that rubber dome boards tend to break in fairly quickly, making the switch feel lighter relatively soon after purchasing. Whereas with Cherry boards, they tend to hold their feel for much longer. So what you perceive as a "hardening" may just be your fingers expecting a lightening of the switch and not getting it.

At least, that's what my experience has been. YMMV.

[Chron-O-John]

Hi,

1. I don't know if they harden in the beginning, but as old keyboards still feel very good, i guess the will not change much over time. Maybe somwhow in the beginning.

2. I think the switchey won't take any harm. In general Bottoming out is ok. You'd have to slam the switches really hard to damage them.

3. Alcohol is ok for sure. Just keep in mind to use pure alcohol soft cloth (microfiber)

4. Basically its air + some kind of blowing gas. I think the Fluid is condensation water as expanding air gets cold. You should power off your devices prior to cleaning anyways.

[Clickey]

They do "harden" if they are not kept clean because the tiny particles interfere with the moving parts in a lot of switch types. So if you get an old board that is really dirty, it will probably feel/function poorly.

Otherwise they have really long lifetimes in terms of wear and tear and I dont think unless you have something 20+ years old physical wear would be much of an issue. Springs can get worn and switch leaves can get misshapen over time but these things are usually fixable. Other than wierd mechanisms like BS, you can just replace a switch if it is having a problem.

[battlesheep]

i wouldnt use alcohol... it can damage the surface of the keys and KB body... i recommend using water with soap to clean them...
another thing is the switches, they contain grease to keep the spring and clicky parts in the switches glide smoothly and prevent them from getting stuck or making scratchy noises...
if you use alcohol you wash it away or change the properties of that grease...
and then there are balance wires that keep the spacebar and other big keys stable and balanced when pushing them far from the switch stem, those are also greased... same thing, if you remove the grease they will start to squeek and harder to press...

hey, maybe thats why your keys are getting harder to press?
you cleaned the keys too much so the grease has been washed off or changed properties enough to make you feel a difference?
do they get stuck sometimes?

cherry blue switches have a problem getting stuck... an unofficial cherry document recommends greasing the switches to prevent this heh

in general, i wouldnt clean the insides of my keyboard with liquids at all...
just vacuum it or use pressurized air to blow everything out...
the keycaps are the only parts i wash...

[shogrran]

Thanks for the replies guys.

As a follow up question though... a few of you mentioned replacing the switches. Is it also possible with my keyboard - since I have the cheapo Razer Blackwidow and not one of those more expensive mechanical keyboards. I would like to replace the numpad keys with brown switches instead of blue.


I hope it doesn't involve too much soldering though or complex electronics because I only got to use a soldering gun in highschool and never again after that.

[shogrran]

i wouldnt use alcohol... it can damage the surface of the keys and KB body... i recommend using water with soap to clean them...
another thing is the switches, they contain grease to keep the spring and clicky parts in the switches glide smoothly and prevent them from getting stuck or making scratchy noises...
if you use alcohol you wash it away or change the properties of that grease...
and then there are balance wires that keep the spacebar and other big keys stable and balanced when pushing them far from the switch stem, those are also greased... same thing, if you remove the grease they will start to squeek and harder to press...

hey, maybe thats why your keys are getting harder to press?
you cleaned the keys too much so the grease has been washed off or changed properties enough to make you feel a difference?
do they get stuck sometimes?

cherry blue switches have a problem getting stuck... an unofficial cherry document recommends greasing the switches to prevent this heh

in general, i wouldnt clean the insides of my keyboard with liquids at all...
just vacuum it or use pressurized air to blow everything out...
the keycaps are the only parts i wash...

Thanks for the warning. I have only cleaned it once with the alcohol though, and just the non-keys surface because there is a lot of oil from my hands that accumulated on it already.

How do I clean it with soap and water then? I've watched people put keyboards inside dishwashers but i wouldn't want to try it on a two week old keyboard.

Nope thankfully they don't get stuck yet.

Oh one more additional question - aside from my question regarding replacing the switches itself... is there any third party vendor that sells just replacement keycaps for the Blackwidow?

[Tony]

Surely the keyboard would be dirty and hardened over time, but you will be dead before it should be replaced. At that time your children would be eager to buy another keyboard anyway.

Most of keyboards are killed by coffee, Coke or orange juice. My Compaq MX11800 brown still works after 30 years of use.

[Clickey]

Do NOT put ur keyboard case in the dishwasher, the heat can warp the plastic. You can use a small, clean, soft bristle brush (toothbrush works) with soap and water to clean the case. You can put the keycaps in a containter of soapy water and let them soak for a day or so (periodically stir it up with the spacebar) if they are really dirty, but if it is just finger soil, you can probably just wipe them off with a babywipe (make sure it is not plugged in and dried before plugged back in).

Thanks for the warning. I have only cleaned it once with the alcohol though, and just the non-keys surface because there is a lot of oil from my hands that accumulated on it already.

How do I clean it with soap and water then? I've watched people put keyboards inside dishwashers but i wouldn't want to try it on a two week old keyboard.

Nope thankfully they don't get stuck yet.

Oh one more additional question - aside from my question regarding replacing the switches itself... is there any third party vendor that sells just replacement keycaps for the Blackwidow?

[Ekaros]

There is always some friction, so feeling change, but it should go in other direction. Loosen more. Rubber on other hand get's harder as it gets older...