If you want to improve the quality and performance of your mechanical keyboard, then lubing your switches is a great step. It will improve your keystrokes, reduce noise and vibration, and make your key switches feel more satisfying.
Remove the Keycaps
Before you can begin lubing your mechanical keyboard, you need to remove the keycaps. This can be tricky, since you don’t want to accidentally yank one of the switches off by accident or break it when trying to pry it off.
First, you should wipe down the keyboard to clear any lint or dust that may be trapped between the old keycaps and switch. This will make it easier to swap out the old keycaps for the new ones.
Next, you should use a paperclip or some other type of tool that can slip under the keycaps to pry them off. Remember not to yank the paperclip too hard, as this could damage the key or cause it to break.
You can also try a spoon from the kitchen, but this isn’t ideal as it won’t allow you to grip the keycap and pull up straight. It also requires more maneuvering and doesn’t create enough space between the keys to allow you to lever them off by hand.
Once you have all of the keys removed, you can go back and reattach them to your keyboard in their proper order. This will ensure that each key is placed properly and will be more likely to work when you actuate it.
After removing the keycaps, you should test them to see whether they are working properly by pressing the switches a few times. If the action feels smooth and you don’t notice any grit, then it’s time to move on to the next step.
Remove the Bottom Housing
The Bottom Housing is a part that sits below the switches and provides an extra layer of protection to the springs. These springs are responsible for registering the actuation force of the keycap.
The springs need to be lubed regularly to ensure they are performing correctly and efficiently. There are several lubricants that can be used to lubricate the springs. These include a grease lube, an oil-based lube, and a water-based lube.
Grease lubes are thicker and more viscous than oil-based lubes, but they’re also much more time-consuming to apply. You can either add a small amount of lube to the springs or brush it evenly on the surface with a lube brush.
Alternatively, you can disassemble the keyboard switch and collect all the springs together in a container. Place a little lube on the walls of the container and shake it well. This will help lube all the springs at once.
In addition to the springs, there are other parts in the bottom housing that need lubing. These include the rails, the center mast, and the stem hole.
The rails help the switch move vertically, while the center mast is where the stem of the switch meets the top of the spring.
Once all the springs are lubed, you can place them back in their respective places in the lower housing. This will help avoid any possible slam-down issues later on.
Remove the Stems
Mechanical keyboards are great for a number of reasons, but one is that they allow you to customize the look and feel of your keys. In particular, you can choose between linear, tactile, or clicky switches, depending on your preference and intended use.
The first step in lubing your mechanical keyboard is to remove the stems from each of the switches. This will make it easier to access the switch’s spring and contacts, which are often located at the bottom of the switch.
You can purchase a pair of nail trimmers or flush cutters to separate the stems from your stabilizers. If you don’t have a set of these tools, you can simply cut them off with a knife or scissors.
Once you’ve removed the stabilizer stems, you can remove the keycaps from each of the switches. Larger keys, such as the spacebar and shift key, can be a bit harder to remove because they’re attached to the stabilizer stems with wires.
After you’ve removed the keycaps, you can apply a small amount of oil-based lubricant to the stem. This will help reduce the friction between the spring and contact, which should improve your spring ping.
Remove the Upper Housing
Whether you’re new to mechanical keyboards or an old pro, lubing your switches can really improve the overall feel of your board. It takes a little time and practice, but it will really make an impact on the way your keyboard sounds and feels.
The first step is to remove your upper housing from your keyboard. You can do this by using a pair of tweezers or a flathead screwdriver. It may be tricky at first, but it will get easier with practice.
Once you’ve removed the upper housing, it is now time to lube your switches. This process will improve the feel and sound of your keyboard, as well as give it a whole new look!
To lube your switches, you will need a few tools. One of the most important tools is a switch opener, which will help you unmount your switches from the keyboard top.
Next, you’ll need a lube container that can hold the entire switch assembly, including all of the springs. Having this in hand will help you lube all of the switches at once, which will save you some time.
You’ll also need a lube brush, which will help you spread the lube around the springs. The lube brush can also be used to clean the stems and contacts after the lube has been applied.
Once you’ve finished lubing your switches, it’s time to reinstall them onto your keyboard. If you have a hot-swappable keyboard, this is easy to do. However, if your switches are soldered to the PCB, you’ll need to use a desoldering kit to de-solder them. Once you’ve reinstalled your switches, you can test them to ensure that they work properly.
