my thinkpad likes beer... but the keybard doesn't

so yah I spilled some bear on my keyboard I was really quick and flipped the computer got as much out as quick as possible... the computer is fine and even the keybard works well it just the keys are sticky... so anyone have any good ideas how to resolve this? I was considering pulling the keyboard out and trying to was it with water and then drying it. its only the left row of keys (5-7 keys total)...

what's best? worst case I'll order a new keyboard from Lenovo... oh and this is a T400...

thanks for any tips and tricks...

 

I'm not sure if completely washing it would be that good of an idea. Wiping it down with rubbing alcohol might be a good idea since it evaporates so quickly.

And for the future, the T400 has a spillproof keyboard, so if you had let it sit there, the beer would have drained from the bottom. Flipping it over is not a good idea typically because the liquid can move from the keyboard to the internals of the computer (aka the system board and the like).

 

Remove the keyboard and let it dry out for a day or so. Don't turn it on.

 

ok I already dried it... I'm typing on it now... just need to return this keyboard to original state, or at least close...

is the evaporation time the only concern with using water? I've heard of this being done before...

just avoiding spending money on a new keyboard if possible.

 

I have washed out keyboards by running the sticky side under tap water, followed by a rinse with distilled water (to remove any minerals that were in the tap water) and then a rinse with rubbing alcohol (to speed up drying). Let the keyboard dry thoroughly before reinstalling it.

If the stickiness only affects a few keys, you can pop off the keycaps and clean the mechanism underneath. The problem with this approach is that sometimes the keycaps are tricky to put back on and you could break the tiny plastic clip that holds the keycap.

 

yah I was away of removing keys... and I would rather avoid it for the reasons you posted.

don't have distilled water but I'm sure there is far more minerals on my keyboard now from the beer.

 

What kind of beer though? I understand they're partial to Fat Tire.

 

It's an apricot Beer from Quebec... really good... but yah... well here goes nothing... beginning disassembly...

 

I'd just wash it with water once it's pulled from the machine. It's not a backlit keyboard so I don't think you have much to worry about. Heck, it's advertised as spill proof so I really don't see what the harm is. Wash it, give it a good day or two to dry, or put it over an a/c vent or soemthing so it gets dry air.

 

I have a T60. I took out the keyboard and washed it several times using warm-sometimes soapy water. Just leave it to dry a couple of hours before using. Also, all of the keys are easily attach-detachable, so if you do not want to remove the whole keyboard just pull out some keys holding from the corners. Then use a wet cloth or alcohol to wipe.

 

how do you get the keyboard out? I'm trying to follow Lenovo 's instructions, but there useless... I got the screw on the bottom, but it just won't pop out...

 

I don't know about T400 if that's different but you should unscrew all with a keyboard sign next to it. Also there may be another one beneath the ram lid at the bottom of laptop.

 

Spend $3 on a bottle of 99% isopropyl, pour it into a large container (shallow) and submerge your disassembled keyboard in it. First, test the isopropyl on an inconspicuous spot on the keyboard, since isopropyl will melt some plastics. Afterwards, take out the keyboard and rinse it under water, replace the isopropyl bath, shake it up, remove and allow to air dry.

The alcohol acts as a solvent for the beer residue, once you rinse it off with water, you resubmerge because water and alcohol mix 100%, when it evaporates it should leave it clean.

 

Buy a new keyboard (ebay) and install it. Keyboards run about $35.

 

Try cleaning it out first, but if you've had enough just buy a new keyboard.

 

I havent ever done a laptop keyboard, but I have washed several normal desktop keyboards when they start getting dirty. I throw it right in the sink in some hot soapy water and let it soak...then wash off under running water...just like a dish. Then set it aside for several days to thoroughly dry. Always has worked just fine! Mind you these are normal keyboards and not fancy backlit ones, or ones with fancy LCD displays like the logitechs, or any of that sort of stuff.