[GreenKeys] Model 33 ASR Keyboard Key Cap Restoration

[Donald Lampert via GreenKeys]

The white oxidation is also common to some 1950's typewriter keys ( mainly Royals, like the Quiet DeLuxe/Arrow/Keystone, and HH lines) you think it's mold, but it's slightly greasy and wont come off well with just windex, or household cleaner. Ironically it's the Royals with the plastic looking green keys - maybe it's a "greenkey" thing
Don L
--------------------------------------------
On Sat, 1/31/15, David Tumey via GreenKeys <greenkeys at mailman.qth.net> wrote:

 Subject: [GreenKeys] Model 33 ASR Keyboard Key Cap Restoration
 To: "Greenkeys" <greenkeys at mailman.qth.net>
 Date: Saturday, January 31, 2015, 7:21 PM
 
 Doug,
 Just my $.02 on the key cap restoration work I
 have done for my machines with excellent results.
 As you can see in the 'before' photos, the
 caps were covered with a chalky-white 'oxidation'
 (for lack of a better word).
 Step 1 - I removed each key from the KB one at a
 time and cleaned with some 0-0-0-0 steel wool dipped in a
 solution of 50% Linseed oil and 50% mineral
 spirits.
 Step 2 - Wet sanded the sides and top with #800
 wet/dry paper + water.  The lettering is molded into
 the cap, so you do not have to worry about removing it when
 you use an abrasive.
 Step 3 - Polished the key cap with a stitched
 buffing wheel in a drill press and a fine polish.  This
 brought the cap back to a nice gloss.
 Step 4 - Applied some Turtle Wax "ICE",
 then removed with a soft microfiber cloth.
 Step 5 - Applied a light film of Remington Gun oil
 to the key lever and replaced it in the keyboard.
 I did this for 4 KB's in all, and they all
 look just like the 'after' photo.  I restored
 the spacebar the same way.
 Hope this helps.
 --daveW5DT
 -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
 
 ______________________________________________________________
 GreenKeys mailing list
 Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/greenkeys
 Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
 Post: mailto:GreenKeys at mailman.qth.net
 
 2002-to-present greenkeys archive: http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/greenkeys/
 1998-to-2001 greenkeys archive: http://mailman.qth.net/archive/greenkeys/greenkeys.html
 Randy Guttery's 2001-to-2009 GreenKeys Search Tool: http://comcents.com/tty/greenkeyssearch.html
 
 This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
 Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html