Removing keyboard overlay

edited May 2008 in Hardware
I've got a new membrane to fit to a lovely Issue2 16K machine.

The keyboard overlay is in pukka condition, so I want to get it off without any creases to the aluminium (like I did last time :-()...

Who's done it before? Any advice?

Chris
Post edited by csmith on

Comments

  • edited May 2008
    the best bet is to take the two halves of the spectrum apart and then use a hairdryer to heat the keyboard overlay to slightly melt the glue. However, you should also check, as some keyboard overlays had small metal tabs which pushed through four holes on the casing as well (two are by the membrane tails).

    If you don't have a hairdryer, you can soak it in very hot water

    Neither method is guaranteed unfortunately.
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  • edited May 2008
    rwap wrote: »
    the best bet is to take the two halves of the spectrum apart and then use a hairdryer to heat the keyboard overlay to slightly melt the glue. However, you should also check, as some keyboard overlays had small metal tabs which pushed through four holes on the casing as well (two are by the membrane tails).

    If you don't have a hairdryer, you can soak it in very hot water

    Neither method is guaranteed unfortunately.

    There are no tails - my other one does though.
    I was going to soak it in hot water, but thought I'd check in case someone said "Whatever you do DON'T soak it in hot water!" :wink:

    I'll experiment on a particularly bad spectrum first with the hairdryer... then soaking...

    Thanks
  • edited May 2008
    Definately hair dryer technique. Tried and tested time and time again. Make sure you hold it really close at an angle to get it very hot all over it and it should more or less come off effortlessly. Dont hold the dryer flat face to it or youll risk burning the dryer out. And also make certain there arent any of the tabs on the underside holding it down as rich mentioned above. Id stay away from the hot water technique too as you risk bending it later when you dry it or clean it after drip drying.

    ZX-MAD
  • edited May 2008
    csmith wrote: »
    I'll experiment on a particularly bad spectrum first with the hairdryer... then soaking...

    And whatever you do, do not follow Karingal's advice. He told me to soak it in the tub and that I should stand in it with the hairdryer for good measure ... and keep the Speccy plugged in to the wall while doing this ... I'm not sure which part of the instructions I did wrong but now my hair stands up straight, my fillings have popped out and every once in great while I repeat myself for no apparent reason I keep repeating myself for no apparent reason at all.

    Karingal, could you repeat the instructions step-by-step ... type it slowly please, I'm a slow reader.
  • edited May 2008
    ZnorXman wrote: »
    He told me to soak it in the tub and that I should stand in it with the hairdryer for good measure ...


    Is this whats known as dry cleaning? :D
  • edited May 2008
    ZX-MAD wrote: »
    Is this whats known as dry cleaning? :D

    It always worries me that hairdryers in hotels have a label on them saying "do not use in the shower"....

    Like I really thought I could save time by washing my hair and drying it at the same time....
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