Oily Blue ALPS

[Fkazim]

Do today I finally my Leading Edge DC-2014 got delivered. When disassembling I noticed there was an oily liquid inside the keyboard case.

Upon further inspection some of the switches have so much lube oozing out of the switches and just wanted to ask is that normal in the factory production.

Below are some images showing what I mean. This is my first blue ALPS keyboard so just wanted to get some feedback on this as I am really just not sure.

Any help thanks.

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[E3E]

No, that is not normal at all. Where or who did you buy this from?

This almost looks like it was done by someone who was unfamiliar with Alps (a newbie to the hobby, or someone who has no experience with the switch) in an attempt to lubricate the switches. Alps Electric did not use a wet lubricant for their sliders.

I find it highly unlikely this was anything other than a deliberate attempt at lubrication that they went overboard with. Unfortunate.

[Fkazim]

Oh no... So should I try get rid of this stuff. Also got it on eBay.

[E3E]

Does it look like something was spilled into the keyboard at all? Are the keys also oily? Anything obvious?

Good luck. I'd use 99% isopropyl alcohol if you have any. It should get rid of it, maybe a degreaser like Simple Green could help as well if you don't have 99%.

[Fkazim]

Yes keys and case are oily and all the rubber feet are brittle...

[adamcobabe]

The rubber feet on that keyboard are often falling apart, so that at least is normal. Too bad about the switches. How invested are you in making it work? Could probably salvage them with a desolder and deep clean. It's not going to be a small task, though. As long as you are open about the condition, you might find a buyer willing to do the work.

[adamcobabe]

I may have one to sell, if your are interested. It's all cleaned up and has a usb conversion.

[E3E]

Yes keys and case are oily and all the rubber feet are brittle...

Hmm, maybe it was a spill. You should return it if possible, especially if this was not described in the listing on eBay.

That's awful. Pretty unacceptable, in my eyes.

[Fkazim]

The board is in pretty good condition so I do plan on fully cleaning it.

[Fkazim]

Luckily not all the switches have oil in them only about 4. And those 4 have so much oil inside them that the click leaves cannot move to click at all.

I will start speaking to the seller also We will see what he has to say.

[adamcobabe]

Luckily not all the switches have oil in them only about 4. And those 4 have so much oil inside them that the click leaves cannot move to click at all.

I will start speaking to the seller also We will see what he has to say.

Sounds like maybe he was lubing something else...

[E3E]

Luckily not all the switches have oil in them only about 4. And those 4 have so much oil inside them that the click leaves cannot move to click at all.

I will start speaking to the seller also We will see what he has to say.

Good, I was thinking the whole board was like that. I hope you can figure something out then! It doesn't seem as bad as previously thought. You'll just need to give those switches a good cleaning. If the oil is in the contact switch plate, it might not work either. Contact cleaner or 99% IPA should clear that up.

[Fkazim]

Ok will buy some contact cleaner any in particular you would recommend? Also how would you recommend removing the oil from the switch housings?

[E3E]

If you don't plan on desoldering, then I would use 99% isopropyl alcohol and scrub it down real well, maybe with a toothbrush or similar tool. If you do desolder, a degreaser like Simple Green should work well, or a strong liquid detergent.

An ultrasonic cleaner would clean them up well if you're going to desolder.

[Fkazim]

OK thanks for the suggestions I do already have a ultrasonic cleaner.

[zrrion]

mine had some oil in it and on it as well, but the switches were not effected at all so I doubt they are related, but it is weird.

[ZedTheMan]

I found weird oil just like that in some skcl greens I bought, thought it was just botched lube but now I wonder if it's something else.

[Fkazim]

How did you guys get rid of the oil in your switches?

[Fkazim]

OK so have been speaking to the seller since last night and he has offered a 40% refund. is that enough to warrant trying to clean up the oil and restore those 4 switches?

[Fkazim]

Ha so you are the one who bought that keyboard, I have seen it up for quite a while. What a shame that this happen, don't want to make you feel worse but wonder if there is any other shady thing here.

How do you know I am the one that brought "that" keyboard. You can't just know that from looking at the keyboard as all DC-2014's look the same. Are you just guessing it is "that" keyboard you are thinking of?

[ZedTheMan]

OK so have been speaking to the seller since last night and he has offered a 40% refund. is that enough to warrant trying to clean up the oil and restore those 4 switches?

Honestly for a 40% refund that's totally worth it.

I cleaned mine with isopropyl alcohol.

[SneakyRobb]

OK so have been speaking to the seller since last night and he has offered a 40% refund. is that enough to warrant trying to clean up the oil and restore those 4 switches?

Honestly for a 40% refund that's totally worth it.

I cleaned mine with isopropyl alcohol.

I would generally agree, but in this case there seems to be so much grease... looks like they may have to desolder switches to clean the lower housings and switchplates.

Alcohol would work for the removed top, but it looks like the bottom of the switch will still have goo sloshing around in it, and I'm not sure how Fkazim can remove the stuff from the bottom without desolder, then wash. He also says the goo is on the keycaps and the case, so the entire thing may need to be disassembled and de-oiled.

Like there might be grease just floating around behind the switchplate that can't be removed otherwise.

If that is the case, the amount of work jumps up a lot. It does seem like it would be possible to totally restore it though.


Fkazim,
How do the switch plates look? Can you take a photo of them? Are they covered in goo as well? Or have goo behind them.

Imho this is way too big of a seller mislead to ignore. The switches are totally wrecked barring a complete disassembly and clean. They are covered in mystery grease which has who knows what properties. The fact you said the liquid was oozing out of the switches says enough.


Up to you if refund or return but this will imho require quite a bit of time to correct. I'd even wonder if there was grease under the plate on the pcb.

Edit: I notice you say its just a few switches... disregard above and 40% sounds okay. What is reading comprehension...

[Fkazim]

OK so I am going to get on to restoring the keyboard this weekend. About the Isopropyl alcohol will this not discolour/ warp the ALPS switch housings?

How would I go about applying the Isopropy alcohol just submerge the switch housings and sliders?

Any help Thanks.

[chzcake44s]

About the Isopropyl alcohol will this not discolour/ warp the ALPS switch housings?

Not to the best of my knowledge. I've cleaned all parts of ALPS SKCM with 91% IPA with no issues before.

[Fkazim]

About the Isopropyl alcohol will this not discolour/ warp the ALPS switch housings?

Not to the best of my knowledge. I've cleaned all parts of ALPS SKCM with 91% IPA with no issues before.

Thats good news. If you don't mind me asking do you just submerge the switch housings in IPA?

[Fkazim]

Even the click leaves were stuck to the switch housing because of the oil. IPA is working great for removing the oil thanks for letting me know about that trick guys.

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[kelvinhall05]

Did you get a refund? Seller should get in deep shit with eBay if this wasn't stated in the listing.

[Fkazim]

I was refunded partially. But I'm not really sure if I can go to eBay though as it was listed in the description as "as seen condition"