Keyboard cleaning tips?

[01sporty]

I've been cleaning my keyboards by washing the rubber half with all purpose cleaner, rinsing with water and blowing them dry with an air hose.

The printed circuit board I wipe down with alcohol.

Over the years, this has become less effective. Does anyone have any tricks to put the snap back in them?

[01sporty]

Since nobody else suggested anything, I decided to try sandpaper. Yup, sandpaper. I disassembled my worst remote, and sanded both the pc board and the rubber keys. I used a small patch of 2000 grit and dressed the board and keys just enough to remove any shiny bits. Worked brilliantly. All sluggishness is history.

[The Robman]

Wow, I'm surprised that worked on the rubber keypad.

[01sporty]

It didn't just work, it worked incredibly well. The old 6131 hasn't been this crisp and responsive since it was new.

[The Robman]

What that implies is, the rubber used for the keypad must have conductive qualities, rather than they add a conductive surface to the base of the buttons.

For the PCB itself, rather than using sandpaper, you could use an electrical cleaner, like Deoxit, which is what I've always done.

Another option that I've never tried on a PCB is lighter fluid. I used to use Deoxit to get stubborn stickers off of things, but have since discovered that lighter fluid is just as good (and cheaper). Luthiers use it to clean guitars.

[01sporty]

From what I could see, the rubber button is filled through and through with carbon. Pretty much the same thing for the pc traces.

[Barf]

I use an ultrasonic cleaner for the keymats (and most of the other plastic parts). Can damage superficially printed labels.