Lubing the switches on your mechanical keyboard can greatly improve your typing experience by making the switches smoother, more durable, and reducing friction, noise, and vibration. However, it's important to note that not all switch types are suitable for lubing. In our article, we guide you through a simple, step-by-step process of how to lube switches to achieve these benefits, ensuring your keyboard performs at its best while explaining which switches should not be lubed and why.
The frequency at which you need to lubricate your mechanical keyboard switches varies depending on several factors. These include the type of switches, how intensively you use your keyboard, and the environment in which it's used.
For light to moderate use, lubricating your switches every 6 to 12 months should suffice. If you're a heavy user or a gamer, you might need to re-lube every 3 to 6 months. Additionally, harsh environments with high humidity or dust can accelerate lubricant degradation, necessitating more frequent lubrication.
Generally, a high-quality lubricant can last anywhere from six months to two years under normal conditions. However, if you notice a significant change in your keyboard's typing feel: sound, gratingness, or smoothness, it's a good indicator that it's time for another lubrication session.
Signs your mechanical keyboard needs lubrication
| Tool | Usage | Note |
| Switch Lubes
|
Lubricates the internal components of the switch for smoother keystrokes and reduced noise | Market research for choosing the best lubes for keyboard switches |
| Small Paint Brush
|
Applies lubricant evenly to the switch springs and contact points | A fine-tipped brush is ideal for precise application |
| Switch Opener or Flathead Screwdriver
|
Opens the switch housing to access internal components | Choose a tool that fits the switch type and avoids damaging the housing |
| Soldering Tools or Switch Puller
|
Removes switches from the PCB for easier lubrication | Use soldering tools for soldered boards, a switch puller is ideal for hot-swap boards |
| Tweezer
|
Handles small switch components and excess lubricant | Choose tweezers with fine tips for precise manipulation |
| Clean Workstation
|
Provides a clean environment to prevent contamination of the switches and lubricant | Use a non-static mat or tray to keep components contained and prevent static damage |
Mechanical keyboard switches are composed of several key components, each playing a crucial role in the switch's operation, feel, and sound. Here's a breakdown of the anatomy of a typical mechanical switch:
In the first step, you need to remove the switches from the keyboard top. You may use a pair of tweezers to take off the switch tops.
To open a mechanical keyboard switch, use a switch opener. Locate the tabs on the sides of the switch housing - they will either be two fork-like tabs (Cherry-style) or two thick tabs covering the entire sides (Kailh-style). Match the switch opener's interior surfaces to the corresponding tab style.
Place the switch right-side up on the appropriate part of the opener, aligning the tabs. Gently press down on the stem to release the top housing. Separate the components for lubrication. Avoid opening clicky switches as it may affect their sound. Avoid lubing clicky switches, as it can remove their click. Linears and tactile are fine to lube.
Brush one end of your brush along one interior slider, then the other. Repeat once or twice until the coating is even and barely visible. Gently dab the brush in the lubricant. Opt for Krytox 205g0 if you're working on linear switches and Tribosys 3203 for tactile ones.
Start with less lube than you think you need, as a little goes a long way. It's easier to add more than to clean off excess. Finally, use any remaining lube on the brush to lightly coat the rest of the plastic interior of the bottom housing, avoiding the metal leaf spring to prevent damage.
Here are two ways to lube your switch springs:
1. Use a paintbrush to apply a thin coat of lubricant to the entire spring until it is brightly oiled. This method is ideal for beginners.
2. Remove the springs from all the switches and lube them together in a single bag. This is the most efficient approach for handling large batches. Apply a few drops of Krytox 105 grease – around five drops for every ten to twenty springs, but feel free to adjust based on your preference. Remember, less is often more when it comes to lubrication.
Seal the bag partially, then inflate it slightly with your breath. Shake the bag vigorously for about one to two minutes to evenly distribute the lubricant on the springs. Once coated, remove the springs and untangle them by gently twisting them apart, similar to removing a key from a keychain.
After lubing the spring, place it on the bottom housing while you lube the stem and top housing. This keeps your workspace clean.
To lube the stem, gently brush the lube on the flat face and then one slider side. For the face with the legs, note that linear switch legs should be lubed to maintain smoothness, while tactile switch legs should not be lubed to preserve tactility.
So, for linear switches, apply lube to the legs and the space between them, smoothing it out. For tactile switches, only lube the flat space or skip that side entirely. Finally, use the remaining lube on the other slider side.
You may apply the lube to the section where the stem comes in contact with the upper housing. By using a gentle force, you can apply the lube with precision.
After lubricating different parts of the switch, you can reassemble the switch. While doing so, you must be careful about bending the crosspoint contacts. One of the best ways is to make a video while removing the switches to remember how to fit it back the same way. Once the upper housing and lower housings snap together, you are good to go.
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You can reinstall the switches on your keyboard by pressing them or soldering them in position, depending on their type.
The final step is to reconnect the keyboard and test the switches using a free online tester called Key-test. Be sure to test the keyboard before fully reassembling it, as it's inconvenient to take everything apart again if there's an issue. If a key doesn't work, it might be due to improper soldering or misalignment in the sockets. If those aren't the problems, the metal leaf inside the switch might be damaged, requiring a replacement switch.
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Reassembling the switches may be a sigh of relief for you. However, there are a few issues that you may face in the post-lubrication phase.
Mushy keys can result from applying too much lube to the switches. You can take the mushy keys off and wipe the excess lube to resolve the issue.
Tactile switches may lose their tactility after lubrication. You can wipe off the lube from the stem's legs and rails to restore the tactility of your tactile switches.
If one or more keys fail to actuate, you may risk damaging your PCB. You may replace one of the function keys with the faulty ones to check if it actuates. If yes, your PCB is safe. You may check the pins to straighten them. Generally, setting the pins right resolves the problem.
Lost the smoothness? You might have missed some areas while lubing the switches. In such cases, removing the keys and applying the lube again can increase the smoothness of your switches.
You CAN completely lubricate the switches without removing the solder joints. This method is often called "band-aid mod". While not quite as effective as removing all the switches from the keyboard, this method is still worth doing for maintenance purposes.
Although no method can provide as good an experience as removing switches for lubrication, the Push-Stem technique is worth a try. Although only about 70% effective, this lubrication method is less technical than removing the switches from the PCB and reduces the risk of damaging them. Therefore, the Push-Stem method is the optimal choice for those who do not know how to handle solder joints or do not want to remove the switches.
The lubricating spray method is a popular and effective method for lubricating switches on mechanical keyboards without removing solder joints. However, this method is a bit messy because you need to remove all keycaps from the keyboard.
You have several options for acquiring pre-lubed mechanical keyboard switches:
If you want to find out how to lube keyboard switches, we have mentioned all the details above to help you choose the right lube and apply it. How often you lube keyboard switches depends on your usage. While this may be correct, It is vital to lube switches for proper functioning over the years.
Typically, the lube wears off after a year or two, depending on your keyboard usage. If you use your keyboard quite frequently, you may re-lube the switches after six to seven months.
How often you should lubricate your switches depends on your keyboard usage. If you are a moderate user, you may want to re-lube the keys after a year or two. Frequent users may re-lube the switches after six to seven months.
Using the recommended lube for each type, you can lube tactical, clicky, and linear switches.
Yes, lubing your switches can reduce the friction and sound of your mechanical keyboard. The lube also saves your switches from early degrading.
You need a lubricant, small paintbrush, switch opener, soldering iron, tweezers, and a clean workstation to lube your mechanical switches.
Do I lube clicky switches? The answer to this question is yes. You may lube your clicky switches using the recommended lube type.
Lubing the switches on your mechanical keyboard can greatly improve your typing experience by making the switches smoother, more durable, and reducing friction, noise, and vibration. However, it's important to note that not all switch types are suitable for lubing. In our article, we guide you through a simple, step-by-step process of how to lube […]
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