deskthority

Is it ok to use mineral oil to lube my alps black switch?

No! It will seep downwards and attract dust.

This actually intrigued me, does anyone know anything we can use as lubes that doesn't force us to go to some american website and order it in only to be screwed over with import charges.
Like, what about bike chain lube? or GT85 which is a bit like wd40 but with an actual lubricant. Any products at all we can use to lube switches? Specifically asking about topre.

wobbled wrote: This actually intrigued me, does anyone know anything we can use as lubes that doesn't force us to go to some american website and order it in only to be screwed over with import charges.
Like, what about bike chain lube? or GT85 which is a bit like wd40 but with an actual lubricant. Any products at all we can use to lube switches? Specifically asking about topre.

You should be able to get PTFE spray in the UK.

seebart wrote:

wobbled wrote: This actually intrigued me, does anyone know anything we can use as lubes that doesn't force us to go to some american website and order it in only to be screwed over with import charges.
Like, what about bike chain lube? or GT85 which is a bit like wd40 but with an actual lubricant. Any products at all we can use to lube switches? Specifically asking about topre.

You should be able to get PTFE spray in the UK.

Would it even work though? I literally know f all about switch lubing

Please don't make me ruin my hhkb

Sure, quite a few here have lubed Alps SKCM with PTFE. Don't expect miracles though. Then again PTFE is not expensive.

Well shit, there's literally nothing WD40 can't fix. Cheers dude I'll give it a shot when I get some BKE domes to put in my pro 2.

Just don't experiment on anything expensive for starters.

I would advise against using any lube on any Alps switches if you can avoid it.

Tbh if you feel like your alps need lubing they're probably on their way out anyway

Chyros wrote: I would advise against using any lube on any Alps switches if you can avoid it.

OK but you know better than most here that once the switch is worn and still feels lousy even after cleaning that lubing may improve it a bit? I have to say I only tried PTFE once on really shitty feeling Alps SKCM cream damped and it helped a bit not much. So other than replacing parts or the entire switch that's it then. The search for unworn clean ones resumes...

(Late to the party, sorry)

What about silicone oil? This is compatible with ABS and butyl rubber, because plumbing lubricant is silicone oil. There's also silicone grease too.

Not sure it's a good idea to use silicone oil or grease on rubber dome keyboards make of silicone domes.