Recommended lubricant for rubberdomes?

gichtl

02 Nov 2021, 10:30

Ergonomic keyboard Fujitsu/Siemens KBPC E with rubberdomes needs deep cleaning.

My standard cleaning procedure for MX keycaps is to put them into the washing mashine together with some towels and use bleach-containing laundry detergents at >= 60°C. But the rubberdome steams are lubed with some unknown yellowish (yellowed?) lubricant:
KBPC_E.jpg
KBPC_E.jpg (66.9 KiB) Viewed 1990 times
My experience with my general purpose PTFE oil I normally use for MX switches (Chess Tools CT-421 Oil Pen PTFE 25) and other keyboards was not so good, since it messes the plastic foils and keys become stuck if they are pressed in the corners. Dry lube (Caramba PTFE spray, similar to WD40 and other products) makes the whole keyboard uncomfortable loud and rattly, even those not pressed. So I think it must be something with a higher viscosity than Krytox GPL 205, maybe GPL 206?


Are there any recommendations for relubing rubberdomes?
Last edited by gichtl on 08 Nov 2021, 17:50, edited 1 time in total.

SK-8K

02 Nov 2021, 18:05

WD-40 Specialist with PTFE works well. Wax might work too on these but I haven't yet found a method to finely apply it yet (coming soon)

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wobbled

02 Nov 2021, 18:12

I always use GT85 thin PTFE spray lube for topre and rubber domes. I imagine wd40 with PTFE is pretty much the same thing. I really think most of the krytox and mechlubes to be overpriced for what they are

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oofers

02 Nov 2021, 22:40

wobbled wrote:
02 Nov 2021, 18:12
I always use GT85 thin PTFE spray lube for topre and rubber domes. I imagine wd40 with PTFE is pretty much the same thing. I really think most of the krytox and mechlubes to be overpriced for what they are
Krytox is indeed pretty expensive. Aliexpress lube works fine from my experience if you don't want to spend too much on lubricant.

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paperWasp

02 Nov 2021, 22:51

NOTHING worked for my Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro :x
Spoiler:
Image
Some keys (especially those larger ones in the bottom row but also some letters) were getting stuck when not pressed in their centres. Tried various lubricants and cleaning many times.
Otherwise it would be a fantastic keyboard (100% standard ANSI with the ergonomic split and tilt) + abundance of function buttons. If I were skilled and equipped enough, I'd definitely convert it to mechanical switches but I'm not. :(

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wobbled

03 Nov 2021, 20:54

paperWasp wrote:
02 Nov 2021, 22:51
NOTHING worked for my Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro :x
Spoiler:
Image
Some keys (especially those larger ones in the bottom row but also some letters) were getting stuck when not pressed in their centres. Tried various lubricants and cleaning many times.
Otherwise it would be a fantastic keyboard (100% standard ANSI with the ergonomic split and tilt) + abundance of function buttons. If I were skilled and equipped enough, I'd definitely convert it to mechanical switches but I'm not. :(
That could be an issue with the domes wearing out as well.

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maxmalkav
dye hard

15 Nov 2021, 15:40

oofers wrote:
02 Nov 2021, 22:40
wobbled wrote:
02 Nov 2021, 18:12
I always use GT85 thin PTFE spray lube for topre and rubber domes. I imagine wd40 with PTFE is pretty much the same thing. I really think most of the krytox and mechlubes to be overpriced for what they are
Krytox is indeed pretty expensive. Aliexpress lube works fine from my experience if you don't want to spend too much on lubricant.
Any recommendation based on your experience?

I am in the process to experiment with Superlube grease + Superlube oil, but for regular MX switches.

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