Cleaning a keyboard with alcohol

GFXZombie · 19 Jun 2014 at 16:07

I bought a Razer Blackwidow Ultimate over a year ago now, and managed to spill orange juice (WITH BITS) over it within a couple of weeks. Ever since some keys have been sticky, e.g. you press q and get qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq.

Immediately after it happened i took it apart completely, cleaning and drying it as best i could, but as it's mechanical there are bits you cant get to.

I'm wondering if soaking it in ethanol will sort it out? (as well as not damage it)
I know that rubbing ethanol over it is a standard way of clesning electronics, but this will definitely need something more extreme.

Any thoughts?

wazza300 · 19 Jun 2014 at 16:09

I wouldn't like to soak it

try cotton balls soaked in some methylated spirits? and wipe it off?

GFXZombie · 19 Jun 2014 at 16:12

The point is i can't get to the bits that need cleaning :/

wazza300 · 19 Jun 2014 at 16:13

ohh I see,i thought you pulled it all apart,if you did soak it you would need to make 100% sure its fully dried out before powering it up

GFXZombie · 19 Jun 2014 at 16:20

Even when pulled apart completely there are bits under the switches that are inaccessible. Of course, just want to make sure that it would not damage it in any way

andicole0 · 19 Jun 2014 at 16:26

Soaking might only loosen anything that was stuck, it would need a good air blast to get stuff out. I'd suggest something like they use at garages for air tools. I'm sure once soaked a local garage/tyre place would blow it out for you.

Andi.

DannagE · 19 Jun 2014 at 16:33

Can you spray some contact cleaner into the switch and press it to try and free it up?

DannagE · 19 Jun 2014 at 16:36

Found this "Cleaning Guide" Zombie, see if these ideas help - http://imgur.com/a/9sHx7

Fuggan · 19 Jun 2014 at 16:53

Good way to dry your keys out before putting them back on is just to stick them in the oven on really low heat.

Serious! That's what I do. Just be careful and keep checking them.