Keyboard Lube?

[benny_r_t_2]

hi

 

I had an exciting moment.  But first, I would like to know if I should lube the switches themselves or if lube is only needed on stabilizers.   I watched slicks video about Mechanical keyboard maintenance (Oct 9, 2014 upload) and he talked about lube relating to the stabilizers but not so much about lubing the switches.

 

Last month I spilled a coffee/milk mixture on my keyboard.   I had to use a k120 for about a month.    TEN keys quit working from that accident, even after I tried removing all of the caps and towel drying.   No change.   Some of the the damaged switches would work if I repeated hit them a lot or if I hit them hard.   I didn't know what I was doing, so then I put the whole PCB (removed the board from the casing and was just a PCB with the switches on it) into the wash machine with no soap and I used lowest aggressive setting and I also used heat dry.   That fixed about 5 of the ten that were not working.  Then I started googling.  I should have done that first.   They said dishwasher is the worst possible solution.  But they said that alcohol on a q-tip is good.  So I did that on the 5 swtiches.  I applied alot.  I redabbed, and I redabbed.  Then I let it sit for 3 day.

 

Works like new now!  But I wonder if I should regrease and lube the switches because of all they have been through.  I don't have stabeliser bars on my keyboard caps.  It is a MAX Keyboard Black Bird with brown switches and double shot caps.  Love it.  But should I lube the switches?  and if so, how?  thank you.

[W-L]

6 minutes ago, benny_r_t_2 said:

-SNIP-

Well at least things are working again but it's always best to use 99% isopropyl to wash electronic PCB's if thigns get spilled on them, as for a lubricant silicone oil like this is a good option, it's somewhat thick and won't run like others and doesn't damage plastics or rubber o-rings:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_363779-39963-DS1004101_0__?productId=3550504

[QueenDemetria]

15 minutes ago, benny_r_t_2 said:

hi

 

I had an exciting moment.  But first, I would like to know if I should lube the switches themselves or if lube is only needed on stabilizers.   I watched slicks video about Mechanical keyboard maintenance (Oct 9, 2014 upload) and he talked about lube relating to the stabilizers but not so much about lubing the switches.

The switches are self-lubricating so you don't need to lubricate them, although you can lubricate the stabilizers with a grease(but its not necessary).

[shadowbyte]

lubrication always helps

with more than keyboards

[benny_r_t_2]

yes, isopropyl was the solution and fixed the problem.  But before I did that, I put the keyboard and switches into the wash machine. I will apply some lube to the switches if I can get the lube in there. Just need to figure out how to do that.  ty

 

Benny

[W-L]

58 minutes ago, benny_r_t_2 said:

yes, isopropyl was the solution and fixed the problem.  But before I did that, I put the keyboard and switches into the wash machine. I will apply some lube to the switches if I can get the lube in there. Just need to figure out how to do that.  ty

 

Benny

For mechanical switches themselves they don't need the oil as QueenDemetria mentions but the stabilizers and parts that are subjected to wear and abrasion are good for adding a few drops of oil to.

[KaminKevCrew]

On 3/5/2016 at 6:10 PM, QueenDemetria said:

The switches are self-lubricating

No, they aren't.

6 hours ago, W-L said:

For mechanical switches themselves they don't need the oil as QueenDemetria mentions but the stabilizers and parts that are subjected to wear and abrasion are good for adding a few drops of oil to.

The switches are also subject to wear and abrasion, seeing as they are plastic on plastic. But you are correct that lubing isn't necessary.

7 hours ago, benny_r_t_2 said:

yes, isopropyl was the solution and fixed the problem.  But before I did that, I put the keyboard and switches into the wash machine. I will apply some lube to the switches if I can get the lube in there. Just need to figure out how to do that.  ty

 

Benny

I would not recommend lubing the switches unless you're willing to desolder your entire board and take the switches apart to lube them. If you don't take them apart, you're just as likely to break the board as you are to make anything better. Again, I wouldn't recommend it...

[benny_r_t_2]

Thank you.    I'll just leave it alone.  It is working great as it is. Thanks for the replies.