[an error occurred while processing this directive] Sticky Keyboard Cure!

How to Save a Keyboard

First thing to understand is that you should NEVER use petroleum based solvents and lubricants on your keyboard. They will EAT the plastic and make a sorry, sad situation worse instead of better. That said, you need to find a usable plastic friendly lubricant. If you don't know what ones are appropriate, you will just have to break down and read the labels like I did {GRIN}. What you want to find is a lube that is labeled for use on plastic and other non-metallic surfaces. I found one that comes in a large spray can for $3.00 at K-Mart called "Super Lube" that contains PTFE (a teflon product). If you can't find this one use any product labled as safe for plastic. I used it for the first time about six weeks ago and it works GREAT!! Our much used and very "sticky" keyboard was headed to the dumpster until I lubed it with this stuff....It now works GREAT!



How I Lubed our Phillips Magnavox Keyboard



NOTE: I cannot be responsible for your actions. If you are not mechanically inclined at all, DO NOT do this...get someone who is familiar with mechanically oriented tasks to do this for you ok??

Tools you need

1. One very slim, flat tipped screwdriver -- one with about a 1/4 inch wide and very thin blade works well.

2. A dozen Q-tips.

3. Super Lube or equivalent. Here's their website if you would like to check it out (you can order it on-line there too).


Step one

Starting on one edge of the keyboard (remove batteries first) gently slip the screwdriver down beside a key and gently pry up on the edge of the key..... it will pop loose...gently slide the scewdriver down on the other side if necessary to free it also... Yucky under there??? You bet! Don't do anything about cleaning and lubing until you have removed several keys and have an area of a couple of inches by a couple of inches to work on...

Now clean the area that was covered just using a dry or slightly dampened q-tip. Clean the underside of the keys the same way. You can now spray some of the lube into the lid of the can or similar container (do it outside) and using the q-tips apply it liberally to the back of the keys... Pay particular attention to the little arms poking out the back. Apply liberally to these areas (maybe even twice) and allow it to dry fully before re-installing them. Super-Lube actually dries to a grease-like consistancy. You may want to apply a small amount of lube to the holes that the key slips into as well. To re-install, sit the key gently where it goes and while trying to keep the key properly aligned, press gently on the top until it seats. Test it's feel before moving on to the next key to be sure it is properly seated.


Repeat this process for the whole keyboard (don't get carried away and remove all the keys at once unless you are POSITIVE where they all go). You will notice that several of the larger keys have springs on the back... be careful to install them properly after lube...



This worked well for us although I did have to do one or two keys more than once....no big deal after the first time.... Our keyboard works like new now, so I guess I paid myself 50 bucks an hour to fix the keyboard instead of buying a new one!! You can mail me if you have any specific questions about the process


Email for Iceman -- Click Here

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