Thinkpads Forum

I admit, as a smoker, I often have dirty hands. My trackcaps get dirty way too quickly and I am tired of ordering replacements. Archives suggest toothbrush and toothpaste, but I find this only leads to trackcaps wearing down prematurely.

Is there a less destructive, less painful way to clean trackcaps? Perhaps a mild solution of some type? I would like to start rotating trackcaps and do not mind if they soak in solution for a few days or even a couple weeks.

Thank you.

I like those Orange enzyme cleaners on the market now, you just spray the stuff on and let it do its thing. It is very mild and gentle (some of the ads suggest you can drink the stuff) but is good for "natural" dirt like skin oils, sweat.............. cat throw-up

I pull the cap off, and use the eraser of a pencil to clean the schmutz off. Doesn't make it bright red/new again, but it does seem to get the embedded crud out.

Take the nub out and brush it with toothpaste like you would your teeth. Not only does it look bright red again...it has a minty fresh smell.

Purcy, Orange-Glo does help but I kind of wish it'd pull out the dirt more. I'm going to try soaking it for a day.

I tried a different toothbrush and it does seem to get less trackpad than the toothbrush I was using. I still wish for a lazier way though. I need to order more trackcaps...

I think the best way would be the toothbrush thingy. No matter how careful you are with the trackpoints....it will somehow wear out one day as they are meant to.

I used soft dome and soft rim caps. Removing the caps from the keyboard and rinse with tap water was more than enough to clean them. I can imagine classic dome will be difficult to clean.

I used regular hand soap too. Seemed to do the job OK.

I find that the older style caps, like on the T22 are very difficult to clean, and get dirty easily. I used a toothbrush with alcohol and it seemed to work, but you have to be gentle or you will wear down the cap.

I have adapted to the soft rim and it remains reasonably dirt free and easy to clean. While I like the porosity of the regular domes touch-wise, I guess my hands are just too dirty.

lightweight wrote:I have adapted to the soft rim and it remains reasonably dirt free and easy to clean. While I like the porosity of the regular domes touch-wise, I guess my hands are just too dirty.

I wore a glove to use my thinkpad. That's why my thinkpads are free from dirt..