Removing Keys from a Macbook - Can you pop them off?

[bigsky]

On the 13 inch macbook - can you pop off the keys individually and put them back on?
Similar to say how you would on a standard keyboard?

I wanted to know if anyone has done this? I thought I read in another post that you couldn't do this on the Macbook without removing the entire case?

One of my kids spilled some soda on my keyboard and it is sticky. I wanted to know if I could just pop them off and clean it or if they don't just pop off.

Has anyone done this?

Thanks!

 

[nigameash]

I dont think it works that way, you ll have to take out the entire keyboard by opening up the macbook. Look here on a teardown. http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook-Unibody-Model-A1342-Teardown/1239/1

 

[MrCheeto]

It's doable, but difficult. I scratched my MacBook's case trying to put the key cap back on.

Do not attempt.

 

[mrsir2009]

I think you can get out the small keys that way, but not the big keys (return, shift, space etc...). I've taken out the esc key before and put it back in

 

[Surely]

Yes you can pop them off, but be very careful while doing it. Don't force anything.

I had the "M" key replaced on my MBP (it wasn't attached properly, and kept coming off on one side) at the Genius Bar. The "genius" gave me an extra "M" key just in case it comes off again. He even showed me how to remove the keys.

It's quite simple to do.

Here's a decent video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSpPlMdGvVI

 

[sincesystem7]

Here's what you do--

Use a spudger, and VERY CAREFULLY pry the key cap upwards. Underneath the key, there is a plastic scissor like mechanism that is held in by a small hooklike tab on one side, and a pair of pins on the other. Gently press against the plastic until you loosen one the pins. After that, the key can be easily removed. Once this is done, you will see that the mechanism is held onto the key cap by a set of snaps. Using the pointed end of your spudger you can separate it from the key cap.

After cleaning, open the scissor piece, and attach the HOOK SIDE FIRST, then guide the pins back into position until they pop back into place, and press the key cap straight back down until it snaps back into place.

These are very small and very delicate parts. Do not force anything, and be patient. I just got through cleaning my entire keyboard this way, and the entire procedure took about three hours. Good luck.