Cleaning the keyboard!

Discussion in 'hardware' started by ratchet, Dec 6, 2011.

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  1. siljaline

    siljaline Registered Member

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    You're most welcome ! If you mean MVPS Hosts, it was last updated November 23.

    Regards,

     
  2. andyman35

    andyman35 Registered Member

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    There's a tool specifically designed for that task:
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...PT50_1?ie=UTF8&m=AH6HTU2WBPT50&n=&s=&v=glance

    For any stubborn deposits a cotton bud dipped in Isopropyl will do the trick.
     
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2011
  3. siljaline

    siljaline Registered Member

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    I would recommend Ethanol over Isoproyl since it's less agressive in these sorts of uses :)

     
  4. ronjor

    ronjor Global Moderator

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    Don't use any cleaners containing ammonia or alcohol. Ammonia will fog certain plastics and alcohol can damage plastics by smearing the finish.

    I speak from unfortunate personal experience. :D
     
  5. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    I take a different approach. I buy 9 dollar keyboards and replace once few years. I normally wash hands before using the keyboard and tend not to eat around them, so they are normally fairly clean.
    Mrk
     
  6. Searching_ _ _

    Searching_ _ _ Registered Member

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    Lemon juice is what some companies use to wash their circuit boards at the end of the production line. Touted as a biodegradable alternative to solvents like benzene or xylene.
     
  7. CloneRanger

    CloneRanger Registered Member

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    I've lost count at the amount of times i've used hot water with a little washing up liquid & a light scrubber to remove marks/stains etc, & generally clean KB's over the years.

    After shaking as much water out in all directions, i then use a hair dryer to slowly but constantly move it all over & under the KB, & inbetween all keys. I then leave them to dry for a few hours, & then they are as good as new :)
     
  8. mirimir

    mirimir Registered Member

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    It's not lemon juice. It's orange oil. Art suppliers sell it. Consumer versions contain petroleum distillates, and are far more aggressive.
     
  9. CLUELESS247

    CLUELESS247 Registered Member

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    You can get some stuff called "cyber gel home & office" never used it but im considering getting some cos im sick of taking all the keys out,even worse sticking them back again lol
     
  10. Bill_Bright

    Bill_Bright Registered Member

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    No, a lemon juice solution was right. The citric acid cuts through dirt and skin oils but typically not plastic and resins used on circuit boards - and without leaving a residue. This would be similar to a couple tablespoons of white vinegar in a quart of water - used for centuries to clean glass without leaving streaks.

    Orange oil is different - it an oil! It is used to dust furniture and treat wood and eat :eek: away adhesives. And it definitely leaves a residue - not good! You do NOT want to use an aggressive solvent on plastics and circuit boards.
     
  11. mirimir

    mirimir Registered Member

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    @Bill_Bright

    OK, I see that citric acid is used in flux for soldering circuit boards. But I was referring to citrus terpenes that are used for degreasing and cleaning circuit boards, as a replacement for CFCs. In pure form, citrus terpenes are functionally similar to turpentine, and they smell good.
     
  12. Bill_Bright

    Bill_Bright Registered Member

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    Terpene is still an oil-based product and therefore I do not recommend it be used on populated circuit boards or plastics (or monitor screens) for general cleaning. While true, as plant-oil based vs petroleum based it is not as corrosive as other products (lighter fluid for example), it still leaves a residue that does not quickly evaporate, nor is it absorbed by plastics (as might be by wood). In many cases, it requires a rinse.

    So I would avoid terpenes too, except maybe if needed for extreme degreasing of case interiors - such as to use with a putty knife to scrape off years of cigarette tar mixed with cat dander hair and dander and dust that has been sucked inside some cases I have seen! o_O

    And it's debatable if orange based cleaning products smell better than lemon based cleaning products. ;)

    As for CFCs - they've mostly been banned and were used in refrigeration systems and more so as propellants in spray cans. So CFCs really have no bearing here.

    Back to Endust for Electronics - great stuff as it is oil-free, wax-free and ammonia-free. And you can get it in pump sprayer.
     
  13. mirimir

    mirimir Registered Member

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    Well, I like lemon too. Both smell better than turpentine (pine terpenes).

    CFC-113 was used for cleaning circuit boards. Please see -http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/icel/aq-semi.pdf for some ancient history.
     
  14. Bill_Bright

    Bill_Bright Registered Member

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    Yeah, I know. I used to use it all the time when cleaning radios when I was in the military. But we had to stop using it because it would eat away and discolor some of the anti-corrosion coatings - which then let moisture and other contaminants in. So not good. Plus, there's the environmental thing. But I do note it was first used as a refrigerant - not a cleaner. But regardless, it is bad stuff.
     
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