New switches and why not to use cooking oil to lubricate your keyboard

[Windows9]

Hi, So i was dumb enough to try and use cooking oil to lubricate my RK61 keyboard. Now the switches are really soft and spongy and take longer to push back up, you also have to press harder on them. It also killed one of my switches, luckily I don't press number 2 often and I can just use on-screen keyboard.

 

Q) Which new switches should I get. Should be not too expensive. I am thinking either Kailh or gateron, not too sure. Wouldn't mind something a bit quieter

[Dedayog]

Please tell me you're joking?   You used FOOD to lubricate?

 

Are you certain the keyboard is fully functioning still, even with potentially new switches?

[Windows9]

Just now, Dedayog said:

Please tell me you're joking?   You used FOOD to lubricate?

 

Are you certain the keyboard is fully functioning still, even with potentially new switches?

Yes, keyboard is still working. I previously used sewing machine oil but this time I took it a step further

[Dedayog]

1 minute ago, Windows9 said:

Yes, keyboard is still working. I previously used sewing machine oil but this time I took it a step further

Sewing machine oil is an actual lubricant.  Cooking oil is a food item, not a lubricant.  You would have gotten as far mashing up corn and smearing that on the switches

 

I voted, but realistically I would get Gateron swtiches personally.

[Windows9]

5 minutes ago, Dedayog said:

Gateron

Please may I ask the difference between a normal and optical switch

[IAcKI]

7 minutes ago, Windows9 said:

Please may I ask the difference between a normal and optical switch

Optical switches disturb a light source to activate. Traditional switches have contact points.

 

https://www.razer.com/gb-en/razer-optical-switch 
Razer show quite a good breakdown.

[Eschew]

Hey there. Wanted to vote, then got hung up on the details.

• Clicky, Tactile, or Linear?
• Are you looking at any switches in particular? Like the Kailh BOXs, or the Gateron Inks? Or just the standard fare?
• Gaterons are better known for the smoothness of their switches. Although, I've heard rumors that they get tend to scratchy over time? 
• If you'd like a good stock, non-lubed switch, Kailh BOXs and the Gateron Inks are decent options.
• Check out sowon's reviews of the Kailh BOX Jades (Clicky), Gateron Ink Blacks (Linear), Gateron Reds (Linear), and Gateron Yellows (Linear). And then drop them a like because deliciously good content like that deserves all the likes.

[Windows9]

Just now, Eschew said:

Clicky, Tactile, or Linear?

Whats linear. Something that feels nice and is kinda quiet.

 

1 minute ago, Eschew said:

Are you looking at any switches in particular? Like the Kailh BOXs, or the Gateron Inks? Or just the standard fare?

I want something a bit robust. My fake cherry MX switches are a bit wobbly, or it might just be my keycaps

[geo3]

Cooking oil will be come sticky and hard over time, those switches are going to get worse. Use Krytox 203, 204, or 205 or their Tribosys equivalents to lube switches.

8 minutes ago, Windows9 said:

Whats linear. Something that feels nice and is kinda quiet.

 

I want something a bit robust. My fake cherry MX switches are a bit wobbly, or it might just be my keycaps

Linear just go straight down. Tactile have a feed back bump just before activation. Clicky are like tactile but make a click sound. 

 

Kailh's box switches tend to have less wobble than average.  But all switches wobble and it's perfectly normal.