dc@dcpc.UUCP (Don Curtis) (09/10/89)
In <747@jc3b21.UUCP> Fabbian G. Dufoe says: > Before you try unsoldering the key try this: Pull off the keycap of >the offending key. Put a drop of lubricant on the sides of the white >plastic shaft that moves up and down and see if that doesn't free the key. >I've done that successfully on a couple of keys on my board. The >lubricant I used was BreakFree, a Teflon based oil. A similar product is >called TriFlo if you can't find BreakFree. >--Fabbian Dufoe NO, NO, NO....clean the key, yes, but NOT with anything containing oil!! Yes, the key should be cleaned...that should take care of the sticking, but the use of oil on the keys is only asking for even more trouble in the future. Think about it...what causes keys to stick? Dirt and Grime. And what does an oily residue collect? Same dirt and grime! While products containing oil will appear to work just fine initially, as time passes, things will usually start to stick again, and probably not only the original key...but any key nearby that happen to get some overspray from the oil. Use something like Radio Shack Zero Residue Cleaner. This will get rid of most dirt and grime, but leaves no residue to collect more dirt and grime in the future. -- /* ** Don Curtis ...boulder!tcr!dcpc!dc ** CompuServe 76703,4321 ** 76703.4321@compuserve.com */
fgd3@jc3b21.UUCP (Fabbian G. Dufoe) (09/13/89)
From article <0352.AA0352@dcpc>, by dc@dcpc.UUCP (Don Curtis): > NO, NO, NO....clean the key, yes, but NOT with anything containing > oil!! I've had to lubricate two keys on my Amiga. I did the first one about three years ago. Sticking has not recurred. I did the second one about a year ago. Sticking has not recurred. I used BreakFree (sparingly). I have a pretty dusty environment, so I conclude that a small amount of BreakFree evaporates and does not leave a significant residue. Before I used BreakFree on the first key I tried cleaning it with isopropyl alcohol. It worked fine until the alcohol dried thoroughly. Then it started sticking again. A single application of BreakFree solved the problem. I can't say the solution is permanent, but I haven't had any trouble for three years with that key. So, I stand by my original recommendation. However, I should clarify the procedure in case anyone wants to try it. First, use a tiny drop of the BreakFree. Use as little as you can to coat the plunger with a thin film. Then work the plunger up and down a few times to work the BreakFree into the keyswitch. If the key continues to stick try a little more BreakFree, but don't use a lot. Finally, use a cotton swab to wipe any excess BreakFree off the plunger before you replace the keycap. Don Curtis is correct that you don't want to leave a heavy residue of oil to collect dust. It occurs to me that a silicon lubricant might also do the trick. I haven't tried it myself, but if you can't find BreakFree (or another Teflon lubricant) a tiny bit of ArmorAll might work. My experience with ArmorAll in other applications is that it leaves things pretty slippery. --Fabbian Dufoe 350 Ling-A-Mor Terrace South St. Petersburg, Florida 33705 813-823-2350 UUCP: ...uunet!pdn!jc3b21!fgd3