Removing Apple Standard Keyboard Keycaps

[Sunoo]

I've got an Apple Standard Keyboard (model M0116) which is pretty dirty. It seems to me that the easiest way to get it fully clean would be to pull the keycaps off so I can really scrub them. I'm really worried about breaking something, is there a trick to pulling the caps off, or any gotchas I should I know before going into this? Or would I be best off leaving the caps on and just cleaning as well as I can with them in place? Thanks.

 

[BadGoldEagle]

I have cleaned many M0116s by removing the keycaps. It's really not a big deal at all. They are slightly harder to remove than the ones on the M0110/M0110A, but they are far easier than the ones on the M0487 (aka Keyboard II).

I use a flat head screwdriver to get them out. Remove the beige plastic parts first and then start from the top and work your way down to the bottom. Pry on each key, one at a time of course by inserting the tip of the screwdriver between the cap and the black part of the switch. Then apply torque gently (basically the screwdriver acts as a lever) they should pop out.

But if you have a key cap puller things are much easier...

 

[Jon183]

I heard Flathead screwdrivers are fine as well. If you do decide to invest in a keycap puller, I suggest you stay away from the $1 circle-shaped ones, I got one of those first and it was useless, this particular one was too thick to get between keys. I suggest one like this if you don't want to use the screwdriver:



I have one and it works quite well, used it on a keyboard II, and 2 keyboards from G4 era.

 

[BadGoldEagle]

This is interesting. I might invest in one for my Keyboard IIs. I actually gave up on restoring two of them because I broke so many keys (3) on my first one with the screwdriver method.

Sunoo, you should have 0 problems pulling caps off your standard keyboard I with the screwdriver method because it has proper mechanical switches.

 

[Sunoo]

It took a little fiddling to get the technique down, but I've now popped all the keycaps off the keyboard with a screwdriver. It really wasn't as bad as I was thinking it would be, though my fingers are a bit sore.

What worked for me was to put the screwdriver between the cap and the black switch from the back corner, then slowly lever it off while holding the key in place with my free hand.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[olePigeon]

I've broken the peg on an Apple II keyboard using the screwdriver method.  Now I only use my cheapy keycap remover.  Just be careful.

 

[Sunoo]

I think if I was ever gonna do it again, I'd get a keycap puller. I was just impatient and didn't want to wait for one to be delivered.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

The on in the pic rocks, I got a pair of them from Northgate's booth at PC Expo NY back in the day. Everyone should have one in their kit. The very thought of using a screwdriver gives me the heebegeebies!

 

[ScutBoy]

I've had success with the bent-up big paper clip