Re: Do's and don'ts about cleaning keyboards

From: John E. Malmberg (Malmberg_at_dskwld.zko.dec.compaq.hp)
Date: 06/17/03 

Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2003 14:46:22 GMT

David Michaels wrote:
> Paul Sture wrote:
>
>>My heartful thanks to the person who recommended putting my LK keyboard
>>through the dishwasher.
>>
>>It is beatifully clean now.
>>
>>But a pity it doesn't work any more...
>>
> WD-40 = water displacement - 40
>
> I've never seen it harm electronics. Not to say it can't, but I haven't
> seen it.

Any high pressure stream of gas or other small propellent, if fast
enough can build up a static charge and can destroy some electronics.

I know from personal experience spray paint has enough pressure to do
that. I was attempting to waterproof a circuit, coincidentally for a
keyboard, back in the days when people were building Z80 based systems
from parts.

The fumes from WD-40 are quite combustable for at least a minute or two,
so any sparks near them can cause a fire to start.

The small spark from the ON/OFF switch of most electrical devices that
do not have specially rated switches is enough.

-John
malmberg@dskwld.zko.dec.compaq.hp
Personal Opinion Only

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