Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!think.com!paperboy!hsdndev!cmcl2!adm!smoke!gwyn
From: gwyn@smoke.brl.mil (Doug Gwyn)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: washing keyboard
Message-ID: <16132@smoke.brl.mil>
Date: 12 May 91 03:57:47 GMT
References: <9105112014.AA18486@apple.com>
Organization: U.S. Army Ballistic Research Laboratory, APG, MD.
Lines: 22

In article <9105112014.AA18486@apple.com> THROOP@GRIN1.BITNET ("Throop,Henry B") writes:
>OK, as per teh advice posted here, I tried washing my keyboard ...
>After letting it dry overnight, it basically worked again, except a few (4-
>5?) keys didn't respond.  I then took off all the keycaps, gave it a thorough
>washing again, and let it dry overnight.  Now, in addition to teh 4-5 keys
>that didn't work before, thee are about a half dozen more.

I suppose you dry your poodle in the microwave oven, too?

>Anways, it seems that the water has gotten into the contacts in the
>keyswitches themselves and maybe corroded them.  Squirting electronics
>cleaner stuff in there doesn't do anything.  Any other suggestions out
>there?

Of course there is corrosion and other cruft on the contacts.  Get yourself
a large supply of 1/8" wide by 2" long strips of rough paper, such as used
in business cards, remove the keycaps, and use the paper strip as a mild
abrasive (sort of like an emery file but MUCH gentler) to scour between the
contacts.  Depress the plunger while the paper is between the contacts to
get the contacts to spring together against the paper.

Good luck, you'll need it.