Hi all, I have been reading this list in Digest mode for a while and have learned a thing or two. I recently noticed the subject of cleaning duo keyboards has come up. I have owned a Duo 250 and now a 280c and have had great success cleaning the keys such that they have become my favorite keyboards. Below is something I had written some time ago about my technic. It really does work well. I hope someone else with sticky will try it and see. Incidentally, I don't know what revision either of my keyboards are as I only learned tonight from this list how to tell. ------------- I have read a lot of comments on the quality of powerbook keyboards. I have also read articles about cleaning the electrical contacts on the keyboards. One thing I haven't read about is a way to make the keys work smoothly. When I got my used Duo-250 the keys required a forceful tap as they seemed to be a bit sticky. I popped out a key to examine and realized it is just a plastic peg sliding in a plastic hole. I can understand how this combination can have some friction. I used a trick I learned some time ago for making plastic surfaces slick. I used a Q-tip to apply a small amount of Silicone caulk or silicone glue to the key post and also to the inside of the hole it slides in. I immediately used another Q-tip to remove the smeared-on silicon as best as possible. Apply the silicone very sparingly and wipe it thoroughly. Pop the key back into its hole and it's smooth as silk. I did this to my Duo-250 and it is still just as slick as the night I did it in February 1999. It is time consuming (took about 4 hours to do the whole keyboard) but it is a solution to the problem at least for the type of keyboard on my Duo-250. Be sure to have plenty of Q-tips, remembering that the whole idea is to remove all the silicone except a microscopic film. I realize that using silicone ''adhesive'' sounds wrong but it just ain't so! Try this... apply some silicone caulk or adhesive to some plastic item then wipe it off with a rag, thoroughly. You will notice that the plastic item stays slick even after wiping it off. It does not get sticky. Greg ---------- Duo/2400 List, The friendliest place on the Net! A listserv for users and fans of Mac subportables. FAQ at <http://www.themacintoshguy.com/lists/DuoListFAQ.shtml> Be sure to visit Mac2400! <http://www.sineware.com/mac2400> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Need help from a real person? Try. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ---------- Dr. Bott | Great Duo & 2400 stuff including 10/100 Ethernet for 2400s! Dr. Bott | Duo Batts too <http://www.drbott.com/prod/alist/duo.html> NineWire | If they are cool enough to host this list... Digital Solutions | ...you should check them out! http://www.NineWire.com/ PowerBook Guy is | Click here! Everything PowerBook! | http://www.powerbookguy.com Midwest Mac Parts ][ <http://www.midwestmac.com> After-market parts for Macs. ][ 888-356-1104 ][ MacResQ Specials: LaCie SCSI CDR From $99! PowerBook 3400/200 Only $879! Norton AntiVirus 6 Only $19! We Stock PARTS! <http://www.macresq.com>
