Washing Mechanical keyboard with water

[Herman Mcpootis]

So i just spilled some milk on my mechanical keyboard(thermaltake poseidon ZX) and 4 of the buttons started double-clicking. I'm wondering if it's safe to clean it with water to try and clean it up and fix it? if it helps, i've spilled plain water on it multiple times before and nothing's happened in those times. Thanks in advance.

[EPPHO]

I would use distilled water.

[Firewrath9]

Use 99% rubbing alchohol mixed 1 parts water to 1 alcohol or stronger (to conserve alcohol . Then get a blowdryer to dry it. Also remove all keycaps amd don’t use it for a couple days to a week to let it dry

[Fasauceome]

Water can rust the springs, so go with rubbing alcohol.

[geo3]

Don't put water in it. 99% alcohol only.

[JZStudios]

18 hours ago, Firewrath9 said:

Use 99% rubbing alchohol mixed 1 parts water to 1 alcohol or stronger (to conserve alcohol . Then get a blowdryer to dry it. Also remove all keycaps amd don’t use it for a couple days to a week to let it dry

Waters really only bad for electronics that are on. Should still probably use distilled water just for purity reasons, but as long as you get it mostly dry quickly so it doesn't rust anything and leave it for a couple days in dry open air it'll be fine.

[Herman Mcpootis]

ok, so one day after pouring water and a small bit of alcohol later, now instead of four buttons, only one double clicks  looks like i'll have to clean it up again until it works.

 

edit: okay, now even the last remaining button also works just fine

Edited August 16, 2018 by Herman Mcpootis

[geo3]

6 hours ago, JZStudios said:

Waters really only bad for electronics that are on. Should still probably use distilled water just for purity reasons, but as long as you get it mostly dry quickly so it doesn't rust anything and leave it for a couple days in dry open air it'll be fine.

A keyboard switch is mostly closed. It could take a very very long time for it to dry.

[Fasauceome]

18 hours ago, JZStudios said:

Waters really only bad for electronics that are on. Should still probably use distilled water just for purity reasons, but as long as you get it mostly dry quickly so it doesn't rust anything and leave it for a couple days in dry open air it'll be fine.

rust, my guy.

[JZStudios]

Just now, fasauceome said:

rust, my guy.

Most components probably don't rust, and you don't keep it submerged. If anything would rust it would be surface level at worst.

Given that most of the metal is a shiny silver color, I'd be surprised if it isn't stainless or something nickel/chrome plated.

[Fasauceome]

2 hours ago, JZStudios said:

Most components probably don't rust, and you don't keep it submerged. If anything would rust it would be surface level at worst.

Given that most of the metal is a shiny silver color, I'd be surprised if it isn't stainless or something nickel/chrome plated.

what?

shiny does not equal stainless. Also, you'd be surprised how fast rust sets in. also, surface level rust on a thin ass spring would ruin it, making it easier to break and possibly louder.