[GLLUG] Coffee and Electronics

[Michael Rudas]

On 5/2/07, Dan Ryan wrote:

> Take a bit of isopropyl alcohol (not rubbing alcohol; it contains carnuba
> wax and that will leave a residue.)

WRONG!  Rubbing alcohol is just water and 50 to 70% alcohol, no wax...
 Alcohol is a poor solvent for sugar, anyway.

Speaking as a 50-year-veteran electronic repairman/technician, a much
better solution is distilled water with some ammonia in it (a few
drops per ounce is enough)-- a good surfactant that leaves no residue.

The bigger problem is removing the keycap, something that an
inexperienced person is gonna have a lot of trouble doing-- unless you
know the trick (a picture would sure help here):

1.  Take two standard paper clips and bend them straight.

2.  Bend square hooks near the center of each one so that it resembles
a "U" with a square bottom about 1/2 inch wide and very long tines.
This is your new keycap removal tool!

3.  Grasping one clip in each hand, slip the square bottom/center part
of each under diagonal corners of the keycap until the tines touch the
edges of the key.

4.  Pull straight up, gently (a very slight rocking motion may help),
with even tension on each clip, until the cap pops off.  "Gentle" is
the word here-- you don't want the cap flying off to $DIETY knows
where...

5.  Use the ammonia+water solution on a slightly-moistened cotton swab
to clean as much of the coffee off as possible, but not moist enough
to flood the keyboard internals, if possible.

6.  Mop up with a dry swab.

7.  Repeat steps 5 & 6 a couple of times, at least, with clean swabs.

The keycap should snap right back on when you are done, and things
should be OK-- most modern keyboards are at least semi-shielded
against spills.

-- Mikey