[GLLUG] Coffee and Electronics
Richard Houser
rick at divinesymphony.net
Thu May 3 17:00:38 EDT 2007
Rubbing Alcohol is only guaranteed to be isopropyl alcohol in this
country. Elsewhere, it could either be ethanol or denatured alcohol
(can't recall which) plus a contaminate to keep people from drinking it.
Alternatively, WD40 might be useful depending on the materials. WD40 is
ideal for washing many electronics.
Michael Rudas wrote:
> 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
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