Author Topic: SGI AT-101 keycaps - dishwasher safe?  (Read 2021 times)

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Offline CX23882

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SGI AT-101 keycaps - dishwasher safe?
« on: Sat, 06 June 2009, 03:34:06 »
I've begun cleaning my SGI AT-101. I've removed all keycaps from the board and cleaned everything inside and out. There are a few patches of rust on the base-plate but nothing too serious. It wasn't as dirty as I was expecting, and what I initially believed to be dirt is just the rush.

The keycaps on the other hand are rather dirty. I've got the tops of the them clean no problem but cleaning around the sides is the difficult and laborious part. I'm considering just chucking them in the dishwasher, but what I would like to know is:
a) Would this actually do anything to clean them, or is this going to be a manual task?
b) Will the plastic deform in the heat of the dishwasher? The keycaps look rather delicate in their structure, particularly the part which mates with the switch.

Offline kyamei

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SGI AT-101 keycaps - dishwasher safe?
« Reply #1 on: Sat, 06 June 2009, 03:58:22 »
I know someone on here dishwashes their stuff, but if you don't want to take the chance, you could just soak the caps in some kind of detergent (I use Simple Green).  Takes a bit more time than the dishwasher would due to the time needed for soaking and drying, but it works great.
Topre:  Realforce 101, Realforce 87U, HHKB Pro 2
Cherry Brown:  Compaq MX11800
Cherry Blue:  Filco FKBN87MC/EB
Cherry Black:  K-202 numerical keypad
Alps Black:  AT101W, ABS M1
Alps White:  Focus FK-2001
Buckling Springs:  Model M 1391401, Lexmark Model M 82G2383, Model M2
Buckling Sleeves:  Unicomp Model M4
Futaba:  Sejin EAT-1010

Offline CX23882

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SGI AT-101 keycaps - dishwasher safe?
« Reply #2 on: Sat, 06 June 2009, 09:56:51 »
Thanks, I used a bowl full of Cif to soak them in for a couple of hours, and they've come out perfect. I just need to wait for them to completely dry out now...

I didn't notice until now, that the keys from each row are actually different heights.

None of the keys appear to have even the slightest amount of wear/shinyness, yet this board has seen a lot of use. The texture is still there, and they look as good as new.

Offline sandy55

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SGI AT-101 keycaps - dishwasher safe?
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 07 June 2009, 01:30:38 »
legends of SGI AT-101 ( and apple ex/exII ) are sublimated printing.  Sublimated printed letters/symbols are hard to get worn off.  Quality of plastic used  for these  key caps are different from space bar.