Got a Eweadn mechanical keyboard and I really like it. After months of use, however, this greenish teal/turquoise stuff accummulates on the keys I use the most. It also accumulates on the sides of the keys, and it doesn’t clean off easily. It seems to originate between the circular cap and the rose-gold plated rims. What is?

I apologize if this isnt the correct community to post this in, i couldnt find a generic ‘what is it’ community.

  • colourlesspony@pawb.socialEnglish
    9·
    11 days ago

    I’m guessing it copper oxidation maybe? Gold plating is usually done with a copper layer first then the gold is plated to that. Maybe clean your keyboard with rubbing alcohol after each use IDK.

    • Successful_Try543@feddit.orgEnglish
      4·
      11 days ago

      I’d suggest to try removing (reduction of) the copper oxide with a rag moistened with a solution of citric acid in water.

  • dual_sport_dork 🐧🗡️@lemmy.worldEnglish
    7·
    11 days ago

    That’s definitely brass/copper corrosion. Probably brought on by exposure to moisture and whatever else your fingers leave behind on the surface.

    From what I see the manufacturer’s website claims that they’re “electroplated” but does not go as far as to specify that they are actually gold. So, are you sure about that? The plating is probably brass, or certainly at least contains copper.

  • moonshadow@slrpnk.netEnglish
    7·
    11 days ago

    Someone never having seen copper corrosion got me fucked up. It’s definitely corroded copper, the “rose gold plating” is trash.

    Not really an easy fix for it, you could clean all your keys really well and seal with clear epoxy or just embrace the new aesthetic. Oxidation like that is self-sealing, it’ll stop once the whole surface is covered and imo looks pretty neat once you brush it smooth

  • _haha_oh_wow_@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    5·
    11 days ago

    That looks like corrosion to me too. You might be able to clean it off, but it’ll probably come back unless you seal the copper or wipe them all off regularly.

  • Coelacanth@feddit.nuEnglish
    2·
    11 days ago

    I had no idea a keyboard like that existed and now I kind of want one. The only thing that’s saving my wallet is that they don’t actually seem to offer one that’s styled like a retro typewriter. I don’t want lilac or matcha green block colours. If they had a black one with brass and off-whites like a 1920s Underwood typewriter I’d have snap bought it.