Fixing Stuck and Dirty Typewriter Keys

[@fitthejack]

Is it killing anyone else that he’s testing all these keys straight on the platen with a ribbon in there

[@normaconway1393]

yes! ha Ha!

[@johntapp1411]

It’s better to have a sheet or two of paper.

[@wclark3196]

A bit of alcohol on a cloth will clean off the ink.

[@beverlyannking]

yes -- my old typing teacher would have given him an F for the day!! I can hear her now: never type without a piece of paper -- you will ruin the platen! LOL

[@kevinmonceaux2101]

Yes!

[@producer73]

Disc brake cleaner, Coleman naphtha fuel, and when they are really really stuck Lacquer thinner. Been cleaning and bringing typewriters back to life since the early 90's. :-)

[@meursault7030]

Good taste in music.

[@producer73]

@@meursault7030 Thanks Man!

[@belindahoneywell3515]

I'm looking for typewriter repair person in Louisiana, any referral would be appreciated for my vintage typewriter. One person gave an $800 estimate. Shocking price.

[@pierrex3226]

800 to do what? White spirit or anything quite strong, thinner and the likes, with one these brushes for in between teeth, and a spray bottle, and compressed air, from a can if you don't have access to a compressor, will get you a long way. If the machine needs actual repair, idk, I wouldn't know where to source spare parts for example.

[@toecutter1978]

Brake cleaner is not too rough of a chemical on some of the materials? I understand you do not want to get it on the finish or keys.

[@loveisall5520]

I've been typing since I was a boy in the sixties, even worked as a professional typist through a decade of college. However, my thing was office machines and word processors and of course, IBM always maintained even my personal machines. As an old man living in a fairly small town, there are no typewriter repairmen anywhere near me and I'm gonna have to learn how to do some of this myself on my vintage machines. Thanks so much for the video!

[@RapmasterY]

You are amazing sir, you must have lived such an interesting life. I am from the 90's and very much feel like going back to how things were. So I was taught how to type from when it was common for people to have PCs / MACs, my dad would always have the latest tech, so I was intrigued from a young age, intrigued by the digital world but also the typing. My father would be typing so swift and fast, I would want to learn from him, I then was taught at school , to type blindly, to type, without thinking of the action itself, i didn't find my apprenticeship that year, when I was 16/17, so I went to another school, who then trained me again on it, for another year, so I've been typing ever since, and I can't even tell, but I must be some sort of type maniac, as I write a lot, hence forth I became 'a writer' ahahha, which , what, does it even mean, i guess, when one writes a lot, one can call one self a writer ? haha anyhow, I loved your comment, I am sending you my best wishes sir, you deserve the best sir, so nice we have @TheAspiringTypist sharing his knowledge

[@UnlicensedOkie]

I just love the sound of a mechanical typewriter. one of the most satisfying sounds

[@holycrusader1842]

I agree

[@tilmanluther1887]

Me too. I have an old kmart typewriter. It's pretty cool

[@andyowens2645]

I know you posted this a couple of years ago, but you've helped me tremendously today. I could NOT get a key to smoothly strike and spring back no matter what I did on a barn-found Royalite from 1962. But you had the answer, one of the bars was bent just a tiny bit and it was getting stuck. Now it's shiny from all the mineral spirits and it works. Thanks!

[@rmcafee7025]

Which key would I hit to unlock the keys when they quit working.?

[@khenichi4616]

You're a typewriter saver! I was just about to reach for wd40 for my old typewriter. Thanks loads! Lots of love from the Philippines!

[@TheAspiringTypist]

Glad I could help!

[@bwhog]

WD40 is great for loosening stuck bolts and so on but not for cleaning stuff out! Excellent stuff, but for the right applications only!

[@jilliannicoleramsay]

All I was wondering was WD40. Thanks for the "NO! NO!" advice (ASAP) on this and more.

[@crimeneysake6207]

Thanks bunches. I am one of those WD40 fixes almost anything people. This explains my chronic stick on return problem.

[@angelinaphillips2165]

Crimeney Sake so is my hubby, so i listened to him and sprayed like crazy, well not crazy. Dammit. Should've done some research.

[@gherriman5945]

@@angelinaphillips2165 Find Phoenix Typewriter's video about a Royal Quiet Deluxe that was seriously messed up because of WD40, and then how it cleaned up. You probably already found it, but in case you have not.

[@jtrindle9383]

Yes same here I'm glad I watched this first

[@wahoospa1]

The best way to clean sticking keys is using what is known as a segment pick. You slide the segment pick into the slot the key is in and scoop out the debris in there. Also slowly raise the key up and see if it is rubbing one side or the other of the segment anvil, if so you will have to form the type bar left or right depending on what side is rubbing in the anvil. Like that word "form"? When working on typewriters one is trained to refer 'form' and not bending. Also a super, super dirty machine would need to be chemically cleaned, oiled, and adjusted.

[@bwhog]

Yes, you can get precision picks (dental tool sort of things) and one of them is a straight pick that ought to fit perfectly into those slots. Just be careful not to bend the delicate tip of it while you're digging.

[@taylorh1020]

I just followed your video and fixed all my awful slow keys on my Skyriter. It types great now. Thank you so much for the mention of mineral spirits in a spray bottle. I kept using alcohol but using that and jiggling the keys did the trick. Thanks so much for the vid.

[@benhurst9515]

I just found this video and I immediately subscribed. I am starting to get into typewriters so I am binging every video I can found about them! This has been the best and most helpful one!

[@alexisohriner3663]

During the Covid era, isopropyl is a hot commodity that now 3 of my hobbies need. Whats a good alternative for cleaning a typewriter? Idk what mineral spirits are

[@lucinalucina4350]

In the UK the equivalent to mineral spirts is white spirit, if that’s any help. (And the UK version of rubbing alcohol is surgical spirit.)

[@kgpspyguy]

I’ve always just used simple green and a soft rag. Worked fine for me for the simple stuff. Cleaning keys, removing old dust/crud etc.

[@mojave7604]

You can buy mineral spirits at a local hardware store. Normally in the paint section.

[@jerrygundecker743]

Appreciate the video, but isn't striking the platen w/o paper kind of tough on it. Not trying to be critical here, but The Navy taught us not to do that.

[@AntonovP]

Yes, I have the same concern regarding bending the key and using a metal brush (?!). Isn't that a little bit harsh on a machine? And that cloth? Why not using a normal cotton cloth, not this with hundreds of potential ends ending in the machine?

[@yowtfputthemaskbackon9202]

@@AntonovP depending on the machine you can be more or less aggressive, for example i wouldnt mind digging in an olympia SG1, that thing will take it, heck throw it at a wall and see if it sticks, with an Adler mod.7 as another example you should be way more gentle, 100 years of aging is the one thing, but it was a fairely expanisve typewriter and was made to be treated so. so even though it looks way more mechanic and rough, you need to be more carefull, and use only the finest oils and cleaners.

[@MichaelShimniok]

My middle school typing teacher and also my mom hammered that lesson home...

[@wclark3196]

@@AntonovP Any decent typewriter is already about 30 years old. My oldest is 68 years. These are not delicate Swiss watches, these are working machines. If is possible to wear pieces out, but scrubbing type was a soft wire brush isn't going to damage them. I prefer to use a toothbrush, though, as I think that gets things done fine and you don't get loose wires breaking off. A typewriter is a precision machine, but not a fragile machine (antiques aside).

[@edwardprout3348]

I had to buy 2 0!ne from feb.1960 and 1 from the 70's a croronamatic super 12

[@danielpollak3255]

Great Tipps not to make the obvious errors of using WD40 or silicone spray, but it really hurts see you type on the naked rubber cylinder... Thanks for the video!

[@bwhog]

Be VERY careful if you are using alcohol or mineral spirits. It is vital that you get it ONLY where you want it. Alcohol and mineral spirits can damage plastics and other materials and even strip certain types of paint (especially if it is already loose.) Just want to make sure that warning is in here somewhere. Also, make sure you do careful evaluation before just going to bend or flex things. You want to make sure you're attacking the right area and not introducing more problems while trying to fix another one.

[@danielpollak3255]

A more general remark: You really have to love typewriters - 100 years old and still working great, while printers bought a few years ago are already far beyound repair...

[@HappyHellscapes]

I’ve found using craft bottles (the ones with the needle tip type applicator) is good for applying alcohol to small tight spaces like that.

[@AboAbdullah1400]

Your videos very helpful man, I'm watching you from arabic country you know typewriter is rare here, so don't stop man, good luck bro.

[@onman14]

I don't own a typewriter. I don't need a typewriter. I have never even used a typewriter in my life, yet I'm watching this now, and for whatever reason I'm actually enjoying it.

[@sydney6107]

Thank you so much for this video. I have a typewriter from the 1910's and my dad was going off of his experience with restoring cars. Will definitely try the rubbing alcohol.

[@yowtfputthemaskbackon9202]

watch out though that shit will start rusting in an instant, rubbing alcohol and break cleaner are curses to small machienery if you fuck around with the,m, always put some oil in afterwards.

[@jessicagalloway3465]

Thank you so much!! I just found a 1940's (I believe) royal kmm typwriter. It is severely dirty.....but all the mechanicals are working surprisingly. Preparing to give it a good cleaning. Ordered new ribbon (hopefully the right one). Do you have any suggestion to clean the key buttons up without any damage. They are readable just a little foggy. Thank you in advance and thank you again for all your info.

[@jhenry330]

Thanks for posting this video. I picked up a 1949 Royal and the keys were sticking bad. I used the alcohol, but things really took off after I blew compressed air on the newly soaked hinged area!

[@alijackson2477]

You are exactly what I needed with sticking keys on quiet deluxe royal. Thanks from a history enthusiast. Truly appreciated

[@laurachalich2512]

Thank you SO much!! This was super helpful! :D

[@Paykwee]

I swear this is the only helpful typewriter cleaning video! Thank you so much!

[@kennethcox421]

This was very helpful, Thank you, however, Joe Van Cleave, Phoenix Typewriter, and Jot and Tittle Typewriters have cleaning videos on KZbin. I have learned something from all of them.

[@johnlennon1049]

You’re the BEST man! Subscribed and rang the little bell too!

[@jessicabrackett1034]

YOU RULE!!!! I just rescued SO MANY TYPEWRITERS using your video! Nobody wants a typewriter with sticky keys, and I am grateful to how easy you made it to fix them

[@Maddtuna]

bought an old underwood typewriter to use as a prop in a video. V B & N were stuck... I grabbed my WD-40 assuming it would be the best thing. I found this video right after and I'm so glad I did! Used some Rubbing alcohol and now it's working just fine! Thank you!!

[@lesliegarza9325]

Hi, can I send you a few pictures. My dad bought me a 1948 Smith Corona Sterling, it was nice but the lowercase v is stuck and I realized there's rust

[@incomsquad3037]

I wish to add that although you say never use oil on a typewriter, there is one common exception. For the garage sale/ thrift shop finds with slight rusting on the underside (anywhere there's a joint on the main key bars) I tend to use a light penetrating oil/ silicon dry lube followed by working the keys. The oil/lube has just enough resistance between the joints to loosen up any grime or rust buildup, which I then use mineral spirits to flush out. The mineral spirits also tend to clear out any remaining silicon lube so it's like it was never there. Again, underside ONLY! never should oil be used on topside mechanical parts

[@Court198]

can you sale the black typewriter please

[@jerrymcdonald6832]

Why anyone would make a video about cleaning a typewriter would have befuddled, me until I came into ownership of a 1941 Royal Quiet De Luxe. Thank you!!! It's a beautiful machine that I have.

[@marloeshoebers9705]

Thank you! This video helped me fix my vintage typewriter. It now types beautifully and no more stuck keys!

[@22eoras]

Didnt know where else to ask but here I go... btw the video was great and helped alot! Its a Smith-Corona Silent Super and the (,) key does not move, almost ike.its locked. So yea its absolutly stuck with no movement. Any idea how to go about this?

[@SmutGrrl]

Very helpful! I just got a used Biser. It's been kept fairly well, but some of the keys do stick, and I'm excited to give it some cleaning. Hopefully it works well. It already types pretty well so I'm enthusiastic.

[@infinitymiracle6892]

Hello there! This is SUCH a great video! I’m just wondering if you can use 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol to make the keys more flexible. Thanks!

[@petebetancourt7374]

How do you clean the roller and there’s like this little white specs on it and the rest of the body of the typewriter

[@Aneesherma]

What should you do if the space bar is broken?

[@dr.wm.anthonyconnolly5803]

Thank you for this video. You know you’d think after years of collecting typewriters I’d know how to properly clean sticky keys but it wasn’t until I stumbled across your video that the use of rubbing alcohol sprayed at the joint of the keys does the trick. So thank you. It worked very well…

[@wendywilkinson8151]

I have a Remington 66 and the carriage does not move when I’m typing? Help please

[@philipgregorysougles1744]

That 4k view of your typewriters is awesome! I was about to use WD40 on an SM4 and you saved the day.

[@tomyates5486]

Thanks for doing these videos... Did you ever do the video on the Skywriter bottom cleaning? I have a mid-'60's Sears Chieftain, which I believe is the same machine. And yes, the bottom makes a nice platform, but the downside to that feature is obvious.

[@maxparkinson4386]

Just one thing you really shouldn’t type directly onto the platen without paper in the typewriter it can really damage it and stop it from catching the paper

[@unlink1649]

Amazing, thanks man. My Olympia Traveller has a stuck key problem and this fixed it. Thanks! Learning about Typewriters is a lot of fun :) I'm actually a mechanical keyboard guy so this is all transferable knowledge for me.

[@hltvieira6354]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you very much for the detailed instructions. A help as I just bought a 1964 Smith Corona Galaxie which works beautifully except the letter "Gg" sticks. Now if I could find a gorgeous Royal like the one you show here it or my very favorite electric from my 40 years as a secretary: the IBM Executive 🥰 One day I'll find one I can afford 🤞

[@moel2753]

I have that exact typewriter lol made cleaning my typewriter much easier.

[@instantchow]

Would never use alcohol on a typewriter due to the damage you can do to the polymer parts, rubber, plastic, etc. mineral spirits is Not rubbing alcohol!

[@productions4452]

For some reason mine seems to have become even more sticky after I did this. (though the print cleanup really helped). Any ideas?

[@ClaireOSullivanAuthor]

I just got a 1960s (in there somewhere) Smith Corona Galaxie since I want to write up my characters/plot/outlines on a typewriter and the computer is just too distracting for the intense work x for research. I was glad to see I can try rubbing alcohol - before I obtain the mineral spirits. The left shift key sticks as well, and wondering what to do about that, if you are able to get back to your previous videos. These vids of yours are exactly what I need. Thanks so much.

[@MirjamMirre]

Very helpful thank you! Just bought my first Royal Standard #5 and can’t wait to make it shine again.

[@aettic]

Can you do this kind of stuff with an electric typewriter? Specifically, I'd be concerned with spraying any liquid into the body. I just got an electric (my first typewriter), and I noticed some of the typebars were sticking like that - slow to return, or in some cases not even hitting the ribbon, but getting like 80% of the way there. What I ended up doing was gently guiding them back to their resting position and just patiently repeating the process until they began to speed up, and all of the keys were able to get unstuck like that. However, I noticed last night that my 2 key's typebar was doing it again. My guess is that there is some build up in the segment. I do have a brush that came with it, but it's probably 65 years old.

[@billogle4776]

You need a segment pick, easily made

[@bradcarpenter2396]

AS a 23.5 year Employee of Smith Corona,. No. WD40 NO NO NO. ‼️‼️‼️‼️

[@KerrymayMakes]

Perfect thank you. I have an old consul that looks a lot like the first one and it keeps sticking. I have rubbing alcohol so will give it a go tomorrow.

[@spacecaptain9188]

I've recently purchased a typewriter that's so stiff that all of the keys, save for a few at the far right, are completely immobile. I've been using alcohol to try to loosen it up, and it's working a bit, but they seem to be at least stuck from somewhere closer to the keys you press, than to the bits that type onto the paper. Is there another part I should be cleaning with alcohol? Also, there's a dark substance on here that makes me think someone did wd40 (or other oil) it. What should I do to fix that? Do I need to take the whole thing apart to clean it all?

[@stalincat2457]

I guess I should've watched this video before drowning my machine in sewing machine oil. Ah well, time for round two. As for the brush you're using, is that aluminium or steel? Spark plug brushes are made with brass bristles which are softer then the steel keys.

[@TheMPOEye]

Like the advice, but am bothered that you don't seem to care about keeping the typewriter's body from getting scraped or whatever. One would think that, when flipping a typewriter over, you would put it on a cushion of some kind, instead of just banging it around on a bare tabletop.

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

Yup me too . . .

[@jenniferblakley3948]

Is that a cannabis plant in the background my friend?? Lol jk it looks happy whatever kind of plant it is😉

[@GoldenTV3]

Thank you. Just bought my first 1970s smith and corona type writer off of craigslist yesterday and some of the keys were stuck. This video really helped. Thanks!

[@pumpkin91ful]

Can you tell me wich mineral oil choose on eBay/Amazon? I can't translate "mineral spirit" in my language,It give me "Paint thinner" but It isn't.

[@francoisg9154]

Incredible video! But be careful when typing, you don't have paper on the support and that is very bad.

[@Recroom.Phone-Gamer]

Very helpful, thanks you!!! Now i only have the problem that the spacebar doesn’t work

[@crystalmoon4419]

Thank you for this very helpful and informative video! Love that there’s troubleshooting to show what the issues could be. Great form 🥰👍😊

[@r.mercado9737]

How about doing a complete disassembly and reassembly of a typewriter.

[@wahoospa1]

Been there done that many times.

[@leslieeg]

Hi my mom bought me one for Christmas. Only problem I have is that when I type it doesn’t move. How can I fix that?

[@hibuddy6529]

Actually, it's a 1942 Quiet De Luxe from Royal, I have one of those.

[@fatkorn]

I don't know if anybody noticed he typed a Shakespearean ode by randomly hitting thems keys.... boom! monkeys 1, man 0

[@James-fg1el]

A, B is broken on the arm part somewhere up inside my typewriter I have to take out the whole lever so I can replace it or fix it I'm a good welder and I can figure something out on and I believe it's a really old 40s Royal About 3 in up there is a hole and that's where the a bar broke

[@Elladayo]

Recently just got a typewriter all keys works really good, but the only problem it can type lowercase “a”. What should i do for that?

[@Emily-ob7yq]

I was at a thrift store recently and bought a Remington ram model seventeen for 20$ everything seems to work though it needs a new ink ribbon and the y key comes back really slow. I know nothing about typewriter but for some reason I just felt the need to try to make it work

[@BobFalkenstein]

How did you get the carriage not to move when cleaning the Skyriter?

[@carolwarner6387]

I’ve been typing since high school, and the first thing we learnt was to never type without paper 🤦‍♀️

[@ankitgandhidas6239]

It's really informative

[@BEWedPhotography]

Thanks, good video, very helpful for a beginner collector

[@readlistenin8507]

Hey my type writer is a smith corona automatic 12 can I out the rubbing alcohol in there without it being flammable since it is electric?

[@mistersparrow]

This is a wonderful video. I just purchased an Olympia SM9 that has no sticking keys but it does seem particularly rattly and clanking when typing. Do you think lubricating each joint of the arms and keys would help quiet this noise a bit?

[@rafaelruizm.2910]

Great video! Very instructive. I just got an old Halda typewriter and I was looking for info about how to clean it and restore it. Also there is a lot of mystery buttons that I don't know what they are for. I hope you keep doing more videos!

[@thethriftyfawn]

SUBscribed! Bought my first typewriter a couple days ago, and it will need a good cleaning before I can use it, but this video will help!

[@LeslieDennyFitness]

Royal Diana '58 here: Z key is stuck in strike position. I have cleaned it and carefully bended it but too scared to ruin it. Any tips?

[@channerchompson2585]

I already sprayed the WD-40. Now what?

[@kaelaknight820]

i'm surprised you dont have a video on how to change the ink cartridge

[@LuxurioMusic]

Great video! I got a typewriter (and old Oliver of some kind) a long time ago and wanted to start using it, but the keys feel really heavy and the slugs have a tendency to get stuck, so I'm gonna try this out. Glad you got the WD40 comment in because that was the first thing I was going to try before looking up how to do it.

[@ummidontknow55]

Thank you for the information. Super helpful!

[@rosapellerey]

I need to know how to repair a carriage return of an Olivetti Lettera 32.

[@petebetancourt7374]

I have a electric brother typewriter model 3800

[@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

I’ve been using Hoppe’s gun oil on my Olympia SM5 that I got as is. When I got it two years ago it was gummed up with some rust and I cleaned it with rubbing alcohol and lubed it up with the oil and it’s moved smoothly since, but should I clean the oil off again?

[@Nerdomaly]

I use Liquid Bearings on my typebars and I've never had a problem. Going on 7 years since I did it. I guess YMMV. I think it's just WD-40 that's really bad.

[@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

@@Nerdomaly I've heard nothing but bad things about leaving WD-40 on machines.

[@robmyers2297]

What if I accidentally used wd40?

[@ctbdjc]

alternate title: Tiny Typewriter

[@jtrindle9383]

We have an old very stuck manual typewriter that I was going to surplus but while it was sitting on the "to go" pile a boy in our community found it and begged me to keep it around. He has some learning difficulties but is a bright 10 year old and I'm betting if we work together on this it's going to be just what he's needing to get him interested in, as he puts it, " how letters get put together for words"

[@noahurquhart5423]

"don't use WD-40" fUcK

[@F4Wildcat]

I bought an Scheidegger Typematic TMS for 1 euro, complete with everything. The guy who owned said it was broken because most of the keys where stuck. I figured something just needed some TLC. This video learned me how to fix it and my Scheidegger types like a charm now! Thanks alot @the aspiring typist #the aspiring typist for this tutorial!

[@Jcthered]

Thank You.'.'.'.'.' However... Is mineral spirit not capable of removing paint? I saw you spritz a little on the closed top when aiming at the slugs. One KZbinr said it would remove paint but I'm not a pro. Genuinely curious.

[@OpenAirOutreach]

What about using vinegar to clean?

[@GuidoArg26]

I really appreciate this vid. I bought an Erika Number 5 and fixed some keys. Thank you from Argentina.

[@KevinRevolinski]

Thanks this is a great useful video! I do have one specific question for a number 5 Underwood. On the keys some of the letters have disappeared. But they are under a plastic cover. I find that if I wipe them down repeatedly the numbers start to emerge. But not completely and some better than others. Any advice on what I could be using? Right now I'm just using a damp towel because I'm not sure what would happen if I used chemicals on whatever kind of plastic that is from the 1920s.

[@ARMa-hy8gi]

Would you happen to know how to un-glitch keys frozen in a certain mode ?(not sure if it's simply in a certain mechanic gear function and/or stuck in it). It's not and is nothing like cross-fire caught keys, since they full-stop half way in pressing, as if I could not press fully down because I was trying to type on margin set space. It's not like there's unequal key function. I keep readjusting the margins, and pressing margin release used to work, but I don't know how to read the parts of a standard Royal I have (it's heavy, at least 20 pounds, I think, not sure if 1940s era). I got used to jimmying with it, that's how I got to functioning with it for over 3 years, but now I can't seem to jimmy out of this one.

[@holsolwellness]

Great video! My problem is the "a" key on my Smith-Corona Electric Correction II typewriter moves forward and returns fine, but does not produce a printed "a" on the page. I replaced the ribbon and still no luck. To make matters worse, there are no local repair shops or resources. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you!

[@MrGyges]

Great stuff. Thank you,✅

[@sharonking9652]

Thank you so much for this information. I am waiting to get a Royal Futura 800 in the mail any day now. I was told everything works, and hopefully it does. I know it will definitely need cleaning and this information will be very helpful.

[@TheAspiringTypist]

+Sharon King I’m glad, Sharon! Hopefully you already received the Royal and have had the time to enjoy it!

[@johnlennon1049]

Love the videos. I have a 1955 Smith Corona Sterling. When I press on the back space key, it returns but slowly. Also, how do I clear the tabs on this machine?