Hi, I did the same with coffee, milk and sugar but no tequila. 13" unibody mac book still under warranty. Fast flip over and removed the battery. Now I need to know what is best to do. I haven't turned it on thinking that might fry it. Should I clean it with distilled water and dry. Or what would be best?

Thanks for any help.

[quote|MacCoffee]Hi, I did the same with coffee, milk and sugar but no tequila. 13" unibody mac book still under warranty. Fast flip over and removed the battery. Now I need to know what is best to do. I haven't turned it on thinking that might fry it. Should I clean it with distilled water and dry. Or what would be best? Thanks for any help.[/quote]

Hello,

water spill seems to be very common.

@jennkrys how much experience do you have as far as taking the laptop apart. I think it's more cost effective if you just buy a new keyboard and replace the current one. They are around $40. Because either way you will have to take the laptop apart to clean the keyboard, and even then it might not work. U might as well save the time and get a new keyboard. Try an external keyboard and if it works, then it's the problem with the keyboard, not the logic board.

@MacCoffee i have the same laptop. unfortunately for you the keyboard/topcase is really expensive right now. $200-250. I think there is a post regarding cleaning the keyboards, it's tedious process, i will post the link when i find it.

[quote|qbo412]Hello, water spill seems to be very common. @jennkrys how much experience do you have as far as taking the laptop apart. I think it's more cost effective if you just buy a new keyboard and replace the current one. They are around $40. Because either way you will have to take the laptop apart to clean the keyboard, and even then it might not work. U might as well save the time and get a new keyboard. Try an external keyboard and if it works, then it's the problem with the keyboard, not the logic board. @MacCoffee i have the same laptop. unfortunately for you the keyboard/topcase is really expensive right now. $200-250. I think there is a post regarding cleaning the keyboards, it's tedious process, i will post the link when i find it.[/quote]

Where can I find the keyboard for the macbook for $40?? I have seen video on how to replace it. I think I will get by. Do you think MAC PEOPLE :) would know that i spilled something on a few keys? (might be a dumb question but HEY!!)

[quote|jennkrys]Where can I find the keyboard for the macbook for $40?? I have seen video on how to replace it. I think I will get by. Do you think MAC PEOPLE :) would know that i spilled something on a few keys? (might be a dumb question but HEY!!)[/quote]

jennkrys I don't know if you want to go that way but there are over 60 keyboards on ebay most are $40 or less. I checked ifixit first but couldn't find one there. I think qbo412 has the right idea to borrow a external keyboard and try it first to eliminate a faulty logic board before buying a keyboard for your laptop. Ralph

[quote|rj713]jennkrys I don't know if you want to go that way but there are over 60 keyboards on ebay most are $40 or less. I checked ifixit first but couldn't find one there. I think qbo412 has the right idea to borrow a external keyboard and try it first to eliminate a faulty logic board before buying a keyboard for your laptop. Ralph[/quote]

rj713 is right. Ebay. Find a reputable seller with a good return policy. Saves you a lot of time. Also i am sure the keyboard you have is little worn out anyways. just double check to get the right version of top case.

let me know if you need further help, good luck!

[quote|qbo412]rj713 is right. Ebay. Find a reputable seller with a good return policy. Saves you a lot of time. Also i am sure the keyboard you have is little worn out anyways. just double check to get the right version of top case. let me know if you need further help, good luck![/quote]

@ jennkrys... you have coffee dried into the mechanisms of the keyboard and on the electrical contact areas of said non-functioning keys. If you are thinking of replacing the keyboard anyways here is a trick you can try. If you have the time and patience it could be a cheap fix.

1: Remove the keyboard from your laptop.

2: In warm water add a very little amount of dishwashing soap and let the keyboard soak for about 20 minutes. This should soften and release the sticky coffee off contact areas. Sloshing it around doesn't hurt.

3: Rince well with warm running water.

4:With compressed air such as those compressed air bottles that are used to dust off electronic parts, dry off the keyboard till you see no more water goblets at all when blowing compressed air onto it. You cannot let it drip dry because water will remain trapped in tight areas for many days.

NOTE: It is critical that you are certain that the board is very dry before reinstalling it.

5: Re-install the keyboard, and if you did your job well, all sticking keys and nonfunctioning keys should work.

I have a friend who "washes" keyboards for large companies who are constantly spilling coffee and stuff into the keyboards. This is what he does except with large specialized machines, yet the process is the same.

[quote|jarkocsis]@ jennkrys... you have coffee dried into the mechanisms of the keyboard and on the electrical contact areas of said non-functioning keys. If you are thinking of replacing the keyboard anyways here is a trick you can try. If you have the time and patience it could be a cheap fix. 1: Remove the keyboard from your laptop. 2: In warm water add a very little amount of dishwashing soap and let the keyboard soak for about 20 minutes. This should soften and release the sticky coffee off contact areas. Sloshing it around doesn't hurt. 3: Rince well with warm running water. 4:With compressed air such as those compressed air bottles that are used to dust off electronic parts, dry off the keyboard till you see no more water goblets at all when blowing compressed air onto it. You cannot let it drip dry because water will remain trapped in tight areas for many days. NOTE: It is critical that you are certain that the board is very dry before reinstalling it. 5: Re-install the keyboard, and if you did your job well, all sticking keys and nonfunctioning keys should work. I have a friend who "washes" keyboards for large companies who are constantly spilling coffee and stuff into the keyboards. This is what he does except with large specialized machines, yet the process is the same.[/quote]

same question as Jenkrys, my macbook is under applecare, and i hear that they dont do it for free if the issue contains liquid.. but WILL THEY KNOW?! if i tell them no liquid was involved...

my problem is that the "p" key doesn't work, it seems to hit surrounding keys instead, like volume controls...

[quote|executeyk]same question as Jenkrys, my macbook is under applecare, and i hear that they dont do it for free if the issue contains liquid.. but WILL THEY KNOW?! if i tell them no liquid was involved... my problem is that the "p" key doesn't work, it seems to hit surrounding keys instead, like volume controls...[/quote]

yes, we'll know

[quote|matthewfrey]yes, we'll know[/quote]