Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48k repair: Remove the faceplate on a rubber keyed Sinclair Spectrum

A video on how to get the damn metal faceplate off of a 16/48k Rubber Keyed Spectrum without damaging it!
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[@nickdixey]

Thanks! Got my membrane and replaced with ease thanks to your tutorial. It’s 2024 but I’m playing Cookie on the Speccy like it’s 1983!

[@wolcek]

I just removed the faceplate from the rubber keyed speccy with no damage. The standard way for me is *without any heat* . Isopropyl alcohol + an old plastic credit card. Take the top case, put it on a flat, liquid resistant surface with faceplate up, pour the alcohol around the plate, leave it for some minutes (5-30). Take a credit card and *carefully* slide it between the faceplate and a case at the top edge (the one with more plastic and all the scribbling). If the alcohol has done its job, the case and the faceplate will separate. Slide the card around the faceplate, separating as you go. CC, being soft, plastic and thin, will not damage the faceplate.

[@MarkFixesStuff]

Thank you for this! I will try your technique when I get a chance next

[@wolcek]

@arnoldrimmer4833 well, it worked alright, and there was no damage. But point taken - you should be careful with it.

[@anticat900]

I found a better way is to slide a thin kitchen knife into the slot where the cables go in it splits smoothly without bending

[@Nightshft42]

My faceplate has clamps and also was taped on three sides. Your tipp helped getting it off nicely, thanks anticat900!

[@MarkFixesStuff]

You could as they fit (you'd need to resolder the reset switch) but it would be good to fix the board! Are you using the correct PSU?

[@netusernetuser8457]

The guy is insaine mixing metal music with spectrum. He needs a new membrane also on his brain

[@no.3gardenoffeedin950]

Ah, I had the 128k +2 with the in built tape deck, I had no idea that Amstrad had already bought out Sinclair Spectrum. Used to LOVE Jet Set Willy 😂

[@SproutyPottedPlant]

I got a beauty of a specify! It has a lovely keyboard and faceplate! It's randomly crashing and I don't know how to fix that :(. A board swap from the ugly Spectrum+ sounds a lot easier than messing with transistors that would work wouldn't it?

[@SproutyPottedPlant]

Thanks Mark!! My power supply is likely underpowered! Should I get an official one?

[@keptboy]

Great video do you have a link to buy the membranes please

[@MarkFixesStuff]

+Andy Young not a direct link but if you go to www.sellmyretro.com and search for membrane you’ll find the sellers.

[@LOTPOR0402]

Put the top of the case in very hot water for a few minutes .Softens the glue and and comes off pretty easy ,and you do not risk melting anything .Modern mobile phone refix tape is ideal for putting them back on , or 3M refix tape

[@MarkFixesStuff]

Good tip. I have the 3M tape now.

[@MarkFixesStuff]

What are the specs on the one you have?

[@michaelwolak3098]

Hi mark just watched another video about removing the facia and I newsagent wondering if goo gone glue residue remover or label remover for the fascia ??? Michael

[@MarkFixesStuff]

Probably not going to work in my experience. If it's the original glue then using the hot hair dryer will make it soft and easy to remove.

[@AveniesGameRoom]

You have it working now, or there still other faults you have to repair to restore it to it's former glory? Great vid btw :)

[@MarkFixesStuff]

This one is fine, although it needed a new regulator due to someone putting the wrong PSU into it. I just have a poorly Grey +2 to look at on the Spectrum side of things now and I suspect it's a capacitor issue as it was working fine when the chap turned it on but then died mid-load.

[@MarkFixesStuff]

It should be 9v and capable of supplying 1.4amps (1400ma) at least. Some speccys will run with just 500ma supplies, but others will fail and it really does vary from unit to unit, especially as the capacitor are aged!

[@MarkFixesStuff]

If you are tuning it via RF, then you might want to try going through the whole band, as often you'll find the spectrum can be picked up in more than one place, and often in a stronger fashion. My general advice for Spectrum +2 owners is to just get the appropriate RGB SCART cable though as this will give a lovely clear signal without RF interference. Google "retro computer shack" and be aware that there are two types of +2 (grey and black) so get the right cable!

[@burtobm]

somewhere in America Kermit the frog is watching this video with a box of tissues and and a bottle of baby lotion. :)

[@MarkFixesStuff]

If you google "ZX Spectrum Introduction.pdf" you'll find the introductory guide that has a diagram or two to help :)

[@welshweeks01]

Cheers for the tutorial Mark. Just powered up a speccy in mint condition and found a few keys not working. After looking at your video I've just ordered a new membrane and hopefully it'll be a 10 min job. I've taken the speccy apart and it's the glued keyboard. Thanks Again mate!!

[@GianmarioScotti]

Great video, in spite of you flipping the bird to us. I'm not complaining, I know it's not personal.

[@MarkFixesStuff]

I'm not directing at you hahah. Thank you so much for watching and your kind comment Gianmario!

[@Firefoxfifty]

Hi Mark. I am currently changing the keyboard membrane on a spectrum. Am I correct that you put new double sided tape faceplate over the old tape? Just was not sure. Thanks. Another great vid by the way!

[@MarkFixesStuff]

I remove the old stuff myself as I don't want the extra thickness, but I might be being a bit anal. I use isopropyl alcohol to help shift it. Thanks for the kind comment about the video :)

[@mwinn23]

Thanks again Mark for this great vid. I have a rubber speccy that has a small dent between the M and Symbol Shift keys. Do you think if i remove the faceplate I'll be able to knock it out from the other side without damage?

[@MarkFixesStuff]

In my experience no unfortunately, as the whole thing loses it's shape (I've tries a similar dent removal process. You can get new replicas though! See this video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXqQn4R4jqZnq6M

[@mwinn23]

Great thanks for the info Mark. I did know about those replacement cases, but I think I'd rather keep it original and live with the dent, it is only very small and hardly noticeable. I must learn to control my OCD!Mark Fixes Stuff - Retro Console and Computer Repairs, Reviews and MORE!

[@theclassicrestorer4627]

Just watched you repairing a z x sepectrum love your sense of humour very funny made smile and chuckle

[@MarkFixesStuff]

Can you post a pic of it in the facebook group? PSU's don't have to be regulated with the speccy, as they have a 7805 regulator built in. Amperage doesn't fluctuate (well, shouldn't) and a standard speccy should operate fine with less than 1.4a *but* there could be a few little issues with her. Search for "Mark Fixes Stuff - Retro Gaming Repair Videos and More on KZbin." group on the facebook and I can help you better there. :)

[@robertgrlic6505]

Hi Mark! Excellent video! I wanted to share my experience with the Timex sinclair 1500 (same form factor like the spectrum). To remove the old glue from the Aluminum face plate, I used Goo Gone orange (isopropyl Alcohol 70% was not a success) . However, to remove the old glue from the plastic case, Alcohol worked fine. I bought double sided scotch tape 1/2 inch but not strong enough. Any suggestions on the type of glue I should use or maybe the brand of double sided tape?

[@2008Overkill]

Does that Goo Gone work well on the faceplates?

[@nellyfish9692]

I'm currently repairing one, but the faceplate his been previously removed and is bent, with a kind of ripple effect. Think it must have been peeled off. Does anyone have any tips on how I might be able to flatten it? So far I have tried heating it up (hairdyer) and pressing it flat, but don't really seem to do anything. Might need to get it replaced but apart from bending and ripples the condition is pretty good.

[@MarkFixesStuff]

+Nellyfish in my experience its impossible to get them flat again. I’ve tried loads of things, even a rolling pin. If you have better luck let me know please!

[@SproutyPottedPlant]

Hehe there is a solution to stinky cigarette spectrum, put a woodwick or other beautifully stinky expensive candle next to it! The wife will never know :)

[@lescarter9956]

Thanks for this, about to embark on replacing a membrane on a newly acquired spectrum!

[@SproutyPottedPlant]

Hmm now that you mention it I am using the wrong power supply lol! It works OK with the + but perhaps the original isn't liking it much :)

[@electricadventures]

Excellent tutorial Mark.

[@RavenVargas27]

Thanks great video love your sense of humor as well

[@MarkFixesStuff]

Aww, thank you Raven Vaughan!!!!

[@lactobacillusprime]

Very informative and practical! Very good video.

[@netuser3905]

Informative?? the guy didn´t show how to remove the faceplate

[@echto]

Thanks! I was wondering how to get it off! FYI a credit card will work as a tool.

[@HowardPrice]

Love the porn reference.. You rock.

[@SproutyPottedPlant]

I like the maze games on my Speccy, especially the ones with monsters chasing after me!!

[@eLJaybud]

You would think someone would do a conversion kit to convert it over to clips...

[@MarkFixesStuff]

+eLJaybud Would be handy as feck.

[@SproutyPottedPlant]

Hehe I don't know how to use Facebook :0 but I suppose it can't hurt to try and hunt down a real Speccy PSU! The one that came with it was a ZX81 power supply so the end was the wrong shape! The Chinese supply looks like something you would get in Argos to attach to toys ! Perhaps I could snip the wire and use a connector block to the zX 81 power supply to give it some more amps :D

[@chrisrobson8540]

ok be honest with yourselves.......who else giggled at "front bottom edge"........tut tut tut should be ashamed of ourselves🤣🤣🤣🤣 funniest credits since Top Secret lol (not the tune......pretty awesome actually)

[@MarkFixesStuff]

Thank you. I sang that tune.

[@chrisrobson8540]

@@MarkFixesStuff Gummy back up???

[@DocMacLovin]

a very special relationship between a human and a machine ...

[@MarkFixesStuff]

Oh yes...

[@Typewriter71]

10 Years! Great video though :)

[@MarkFixesStuff]

Thanks! 😃 Might need to update this now!

[@realgroovy24]

Arrgh! The person who did that shouldn't go anywhere near any Spectrum ever again! The replacements aren't available in matte just yet unfortunately.

[@MarkFixesStuff]

Thank you Lacto Dude!

[@burtobm]

good tips Mr. Mark, however next time please use hand puppets :)

[@SproutyPottedPlant]

Lol! Hand puppets :D. Yea the power supply is 1200 mah - oops!!! It may be 1200 mah at its lowest setting and something like 200 at its highest lol! It appears to be no name Chinese *gulp* I wish there was a manufacturer that makes a range of linear supplies including USB linear phone chargers and convenient high output 9 volt supplies :D. I bet there is mega ripple on those compact light weight ones that come included even on audio gear!

[@wuzup789able]

Bandersnatch?

[@MarkFixesStuff]

Nose dive.

[@netuser3905]

The guy didn´t show how he took the faceplate

[@MarkFixesStuff]

03:36 I use a hairdryer to weaken the glue and then flex the case until the faceplate come off. Before that I show how to identify if you have a version with metal retaining tabs. What bit is not working for you?

[@netuser3905]

@@MarkFixesStuff Ok that is the most secure method using hands to not damage the faceplate. Using screw drivers it bends and people destroy the faceplate.

[@MarkFixesStuff]

I *did*!!!! They were just naked...

[@MarkFixesStuff]

Thank you kind sir! :)

[@samcoupe4608KB]

Rwap sell my retro

[@SproutyPottedPlant]

Thanks Mark!! My power supply is likely underpowered! Should I get an official one?