Lubricating buttons

[mono]

Hi,

after some heavy usage, I noticed that some of my arcade buttons (ILSA Pushbuttons) somtimes "hang" after pressing. They do not hang completely, they just move up a little slow and do squeaking sounds.

I tried lubricating one of them using WD-40 oil which worked fine. I'm just a little bit scared if it would be too aggressive and destroy the buttons in the long term.

Does anyone have experience with lubricating arcade pushbuttons? Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance

[rfancella]

Mono,

How about graphite powder? It's a little messy, but if your carefull, i'm sure it will help.I

would be concerned about using WD-40 on plastic. It's bound to affect the plastic buttons.

Thanks,

Ron

[gigapig]

The pizza grease isn't working then?

Never use WD40 (Water Displacement 40th attempt) it's OK briefly but when it dries, it leaves a horrible waxy coating on the surface; which is very difficult to remove

unless you use some head spinning chemicals.

Perhaps a grease with PTFE? http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR1.TRC0.A0.Xplastic+grease&_nkw=plastic+grease&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Or the Bacon Genie. Looks genius.

[mono]

Man, I love bacon - never thought about adding it to my cab though

Good thing I only treated one button until now - I already had a bad feeling when doing.

I did not know that there is grease with PTFE existing, this sounds great. I will have a look if my local HW-Store offers something like this making my arcade a "Teflon-Cab". If not, I guess I'll get some silicone grease instead, should be better than WD40 at least.

Do you guys also experience squeaking buttons?

[gigapig]

Man, I love bacon - never thought about adding it to my cab though

Good thing I only treated one button until now - I already had a bad feeling when doing.

I did not know that there is grease with PTFE existing, this sounds great. I will have a look if my local HW-Store offers something like this making my arcade a "Teflon-Cab". If not, I guess I'll get some silicone grease instead, should be better than WD40 at least.

Do you guys also experience squeaking buttons?

Apologies, I didn't see you are in Germany.

What type do you have? Microswitch or leaf? The issue with grease is getting it in there, an oil would probably be better. Depends if you can take them to pieces or if you want to.

Mine don't squeak yet, they don't get enough use, but mine are gold leaf switches which are quite quiet.

A silicone grease with PTFE or for plastics.

[rdhanded2]

Just clean them or replace them. They stick usually due to dirt getting in them. Take them apart and clean them with alcohol. If the sticking persists, sand the inside just a touch. That will work. Also, buttons are so cheap you could just replace them. When I order a color, I always order a few extra. They don't need lubrication.

[budman]

i agree with rdhanded2

if you use a spray like a wd40 it will clog it up worse then it was before because the spray being wet gathers the dirt and dust and makes it clump up just take them apart and wipe clean and sand if necessary.

[mono]

Buttons are microswitch buttons which can be taken apart (link), so getting the grease inside is not a big deal. Just to clarify: it is not the microswitsches doing the squeaking sounds - its the buttons plastic pieces. Buttons are quite long/deep, so it is about 3cm where the "inner cylinder" (the moving part) rubs the "outer cylinder" (non-moving part).

I think it was not the best idea to decide for this type of buttons - I have them in use for 3 month now and button 1 (fire) really needs lubrication, buttons 2 and 3 also started squeaking a few days ago.

The one I took apart did not show any sign of dirt - it was clean as if factory-new. I also checked if maybe the plastics had some production failures (small pieces of plastic where shey should not be), but this was also not the fact. the only thing I could see were some friction marks covering an area of about 5x15mm at the side of the button (where the moving part travels by the non-moving part causing friction).

As said, I will look out for some plastic grease, take them apart, see if there is something to sand, then lubricate and re-insert them. If they again start squeaking/hanging a couple of weeks later, I will replace them by a different brand. - Any recommendaions for good buttons (round, concave, 2.5cm/1" long)?

EDIT: I just checked for buttons available in germany that would fit to my CP - unfortunately there is are not many choices: The ones I have or none. So I really hope silicone grease will do it

[kilroym42]

You can try Electrolube spg it's good but cost about $30 us for a small syringe.

[gigapig]

I bought these in Orange to match my CP. Fantastic for the price and very quiet. I did have your type (Microswitches) but gave them to someone else.

Arcade shop doesn't stock these, they have similar but you need to buy the leaf separately. Arcadeworlduk ship anywhere.

For the price of these it may not be worth buying grease and messing around.

Give you idea of the connection type.

[mono]

nice one! Descriptions sounds good, price is good and I love the "vertical" wiring - this would make it much easier for me as buttons are close together in my CP.

Unfortunately the are not available in dark blue, so I will coninue searching

[gigapig]

Looks like Ultimarc have dark blue Leaf switches to match Happ.

[mono]

Looks like Ultimarc have dark blue Leaf switches to match Happ.

Many thanks for the effort you are spending in this thread.

I checked the link you provided, but all i could find was "Classic Pushbuttons from Happ Controls" (dark blue, but basically the ones I already have) and "GoldLeaf Pushbuttons" (discussed before, great but their blue is light-blue).

I also googled a little. Still I cannot really find the kind of button I want, but I found out that I should maybe switch to convex buttons according to this site:

I tend to prefer flat convex buttons. Concave buttons can feel a bit awkward because you can bump the edges of the buttons as you move your fingers around. And worse, when you press a more sloped part of the button, the button pushes into the side of the cylinder adding more friction. Convex buttons do not really have these problems.

[gigapig]

The Ultimarc Website could do with a big overhaul with more detail. When I clicked the gold leaf option and added it to my cart, it gave the option for Dark blue (Happ Match?)

The only way to find out is to email. They are very helpful by all accounts.

I prefer the concave button, purely because of nostalgia. They must have been on the early arcade machines.

So that's your cab is it, the Fire & Ice one?

[Polemicist]

Do this stuff as part of my job. We have combinations of metal on plastic for continuous moving parts on gates used in very busy train stations. Metal on metal we use a very fine grade oil in very small amounts after careful cleaning with isopropyl alcohol. For the Plastic on metal action you can't use oils. Initial fix is careful cleaning with isopropyl and ensure the wear points are not becoming textured which causes the grabbing (in your case the squeaking) ... the less experienced techs keep using things like WD40 or Inox sprays and it works for a short time but useless long term as you will end up replacing parts as the dirt in the air sticks to it over time. Use of a graphite powder as Ron suggested above is the best. It sticks to the surface of plastics due to the texture of the plastic but rubs off if required. It will sit in a relatively even coat and moves less with plastic due to the electrostatic nature of the material compared to metals.

But the easy fix if all that fails. Buy new buttons.

I prefer the concave button, purely because of nostalgia. They must have been on the early arcade machines.

The Ultralux buttons are nice with their silver trim and such but since the release of these http://www.ultimarc.com/ClassicRGB.html I've become obcessed with RGB every damn thing. And yes they were on the early machines. My fingers just fall into place on these style buttons and I get this smell that I can't quite place... carpet ... wood ... CRT screens overheating ...

[gigapig]

Now there's a business idea. An air freshener? That smells of old arcade.

The mingled aroma of burning electronics, stale cigarettes, sweaty unemployed wildebeest and damp carpet. Relive your past with just 1 squirt.

Might be nice to wear on a night out. My new Gentlemens cologne for Christmas.

[mono]

The Ultimarc Website could do with a big overhaul with more detail. When I clicked the gold leaf option and added it to my cart, it gave the option for Dark blue (Happ Match?)

The only way to find out is to email. They are very helpful by all accounts.

So that's your cab is it, the Fire & Ice one?

Thanks - you are my hero of the day! I clicked the item, but I did not think about adding them to my cart.

I will mail them in the evening asking for a color sample/picture of the dark blue ones - What a pity to order from USA - 27€ goods + tax&delivery = 51€

Yes, Fire&Ice is my custom build - I love it

@Polemicist: Thanks for your detailled explanation - I think I already decided for new buttons - and I guess I'll stick to old school-non-illuminated buttons

[Polemicist]

@Polemicist: Thanks for your detailled explanation - I think I already decided for new buttons - and I guess I'll stick to old school-non-illuminated buttons

You will remember it for next time. Perhaps try eating pizza cooked with less oil?

Go the pretty glowing ones. No colour matching required.

@Giga

Eau du arcade parfum

Has a nice ring to it.

[mono]

Just received an email from Ultimarc.

They assure that "Dark Blue" and "Red" variants will match the Happ/IL/ILSA button colors Also the button diameter is matching.

I will place my order as soon as I manage to convince my wife that spending even more money on the cab is worth it.

[gigapig]

Just received an email from Ultimarc.

They assure that "Dark Blue" and "Red" variants will match the Happ/IL/ILSA button colors Also the button diameter is matching.

I will place my order as soon as I manage to convince my wife that spending even more money on the cab is worth it.

Good news

Good luck with the wife.