How Long Does It Take to Lube Keyboard Switches?

Lubricating keyboard switches can prolong their life and make them more responsive.

If you’re looking to speed up the keystrokes you make, lubricating your switches could be a smart choice.

But, still, you may not be lubing your keyboard switches as you may feel it will take much of your time.

If you are thinking about how long it takes to lube keyboard switches or your entire keyboard, then in this post you will get the complete detail for that.

The time it takes to lube would be more for beginners and would eventually reduce by several amounts once you get experienced with the process.

Why Should you Trust Me? Hi, I am Anirban Saha, an Engineer with a Specialization in Electronics and Communication Engineering. I have experience in Smart TVs, Electronics circuits, and Computer peripherals.

Let’s get started!

How long does it take to lube keyboard switches?

It depends on the type of lubricant you are using, the type of switch, and your experience in lubing. Generally, it should take about 2-3 minutes to apply a light coat of lubricant to each switch.

If you are using a heavier lubricant, it may take 4-5 minutes to apply, depending on the size of the switch.

How long does it take to Lube a Whole keyboard?

Lubing the whole keyboard can take 4-5 hours for beginners. For experienced, it will take around 1-2 hours.

An experienced person would work much faster in terms of opening and assembling back the switches. They would also follow the batch process and would achieve to lube keyboard faster.

Apart from switches, you would need to lube the stabilizers of the keyboard which you can lube at the same time with the switch spring using a plastic zip-lock lube bag.

What is the fastest way to lube switches?

If you are lubing your mechanical keyboard switches for the first time you should not rush doing that. There are a few methods that can be used to speed up the process of lubricating switches.

Lubing Multiple Switches Together

You have multiple switches on your keyboard. You can apply lube to single switches or you can group them and apply lube to them together. 

Lubing by Batch Process

You can lube your mechanical switches by a batch process too. This is another method that turns out to be efficient and helps you lubing your keyboard switches faster. 

You need to identify similar items first and group them. Here, after opening the switches, group the springs together, switch stems together, and switch legs together.

Now, you will apply lube together in springs using a plastic zip-locked pouch bag. Repeat for the switch legs. (For tactile switches you may ignore lubing switch legs as it may reduce the tactility)

Is it worth it to lube your switches?

Yes, it is worth it to lube your keyboard switches. Lubricating your keyboard’s switches can be a great way to make them feel smoother and less stiff.

While it may seem like a minor thing, this small change can make a big difference in how you use your keyboard.

If you are looking for a way to improve your typing experience, then lubricating your keyboard switches is worth considering.

Many different types of lubricants can be used on keyboard switches, so find one that works best for the type of mechanical switch you are using.

Those with tactile switches should choose a low-viscosity lube.

Be sure to read the instructions carefully to know how to apply the lubricant correctly.

Should You Lube Keyboard Switches?

There are several reasons to lubricate your keyboard switches:

First, lubrication makes your switches quieter. It also smooths out any imperfections on the surface. It can also give you a satisfying feeling when pressing a key. 

Aside from this, lubricating your switches can eliminate the spring grind that can make your keyboard feel unresponsive. This is especially true if you’re playing games on your keyboard.

Is it hard to lube keyboard switches?

It’s not hard to lube keyboard switches, but it can be a little tricky. You’ll need some patience and a steady hand.

Also, knowing the process, knowing how to open switches, and getting the right tools to lube makes the process easier.

There are several types of lubricants on the market. 

Spray lubricants are easy to apply and tend to penetrate quickly, leaving no residue.

Oil-based or grease-based lubricants provide better protection for the switches over the long term, but they are more difficult to apply.

When lubricating mechanical keyboard switches, you must make sure that you get the correct amount. Apply the lubricant so that it can feel good without affecting the performance of the switch. 

However, don’t forget to apply the lubricant carefully.

Using too much lube will cause the switch to malfunction and affect the overall feel of the keyboard. Make sure that you lubricate only the switches you use for typing.

Conclusion

Let’s conclude the post on How Long It Takes to Lube Keyboard Switches!

As I mentioned, the time of lubing the mechanical switches would vary from person to person, efficiency, type of lube, and lubing process.

So, once you are aware of these for the first time, you will accomplish lubing sooner as you get experience doing that.

I hope you enjoyed reading the post.