730 replies to this topic

[Fox-1 / mnx]

mimo, on Thu May 10, 2012 12:24 PM, said:

In the past I removed all the key caps, but that is a real pain, literally

Since I'm in the middle of a big Atari check/clean/repair/sort job I disassembled (and re-assembled) over a dozen XE keyboards in the last 3 months. Removing all the key caps is a <3 minute job with the tough ones. The easy ones (most of them) take less then a minute.

[Stephen]

mimo, on Thu May 10, 2012 12:24 PM, said:

I have done a load of these, and by far the quickest and easiest way to deal with the keyboard is by removing the back plate (lots of little screws), taking out the mylar and removing the silicone cups. In the past I removed all the key caps, but that is a real pain, literally

I'll second that - and while you're in there, you should REALLY consider ordering one of the "Best (computers) keyboard upgrades". I have installed them in both of my 130XEs and my 520ST. These machines are now actually nice to type on. I actually prefer my upgraded 130XE keyboard over the 1200XL.

[Fox-1 / mnx]

Stephen, on Thu May 10, 2012 12:56 PM, said:

and while you're in there, you should REALLY consider ordering one of the "Best (computers) keyboard upgrades".

I only heard positive things about these so definitely want a bunch of those cups. Too bad it's ends up pretty expensive when ordering such a small order from EU.

[mimo]

I will also point out that it is far far easier to treat the key caps whilst they are affixed to the keyboard, then wrapping the whole lot in cling film than trying to paint individual keys with the solution, placing them the right way round on something etc etc etc.
Also easier to chuck the treated keyboard assembly in the dishwasher for a quick wash afterwards.

You can give the contacts on the mylar a good clean whilst everything is apart too

Edited by mimo, Fri May 11, 2012 1:48 AM.

[Dropcheck]

Well, I've finished at least for now my experiment in Retrobrighting. Here are the results:

Before:



After:



Before:




After:





I would have to say it was a success. The keycaps were not retrobrighted, just cleaned. Next time I have a few days off, I'll remedy that. Due to the way my apartment is orientated I only had about five hours total of sunlight in the morning. Time was three mornings in a row.

[flashjazzcat]

Great job! The 1200XL and peripherals look especially stunning.