Clean a Trackball Mouse

Do you own a mouse like this? have you ever taken out the ball. if you've never cleaned your trackball mouse you might be surprised to see what has collected inside. I've been told that the gunk you can see in the pictures is dead skin cells, but whatever it is, it ain't pretty. In this Instructable I'll show you how to clean a ball mouse.

DISCLAIMER:this instructable is pretty idiot-proof but if you manage to break your mouse, computer, or prick yourself with a toothpick and have to go to the hospital because you can't deal with/treat a small puncture wound just remember,I'm not responsible for your computer, mouse, or hospital bill. Now lets get started

Step 1 So Whatcha Need?

Th only thing needed for this Instructable is

• 3 Toothpicks
• 1 Cotton Ball
• Window Cleaner

or...

• 1 Toothpick
• 1 Q-Tip(or similar)
• Window Cleaner

_{I didn't have a q-tip at the time so I used some toothpicks and a cotton ball.}

Comments

[peinkc]

I have tried alcohol and window cleaner and found what works best for me is giving the ball and bearings a good wipe with a clothes dryer sheet. Like new every time.

[gkitchen]

thanks

[mrlunna13]

Hello everybody,
I was wondering if anybody knows how to replace the bearings on a Microsoft Trackball Explorer. I know I am 3 years late in this topic.
any help will be appreciated.
Jesse M.

[technodude92]

I don't know if it's possible to change the bearings in these mice or if it's even worth it. If they are really gunked up even after you've tried to clean them, you might try a very light oiling. Something like WD-40 or 3 in one oil. add just the tiniest drop to the ball itself, evenly distribute it on the ball, roll it around some in the mouse and then wipe the ball clean and that should lube the bearings up for a little while.

[mrlunna13]

Actually, I found a discussion forum site with help on changing or turning the bearings.
Now I got a "brand new" TBE !! Kool!!

[admiral001]

Always good to see a fellow trackball man. Usefull tip

[bumpus]

a friend of my from canada, introduced me to these mice, they are the best!

[technodude92]

some people, when they see the mouse, they try to move the whole darn thing as if it were an optical mouse. its pretty funny watching them do this until they figure it out.

[Mitten]

Spray some WD40 on a q-tip (outside of course) and rub it on the bearings. I've also heard of people using silicone oil (not grease) to lube it up.

[reddeth]

Using one right now hehe. I had the same problem in FPS games, the mouse would get gunked up and even at some points become hard to move the 'ball' (yuck). The quickest 'cleaning' to do for these (ie: in between CS:S rounds) is to pop out the mouse ball, you'll see three little white 'nipples', clean the gunk off those, pop the mouse ball back in and keep playing. You're going to want to clean it out and do a proper job later on obviously, but this at least keeps you playing without having to go AFK for to long.

[technodude92]

I Think ill add a "quicke clean" step later but yeah, thats obviously much easier and quicker. Its good for getting your mouse moving again.

[camintmier]

I've got one of these trackballs also. They're pretty good for FPS gaming, but they get gunked up relatively easy. I hated having to make the trackball give birth (aka: pushing the ball out of the trackball), so I ended up scraping the plastic "ring" that keeps the ball inside the mouse. It's a lot easier in my opinion to simply pick up the ball, clean the contacts with a cloth (or your t-shirt), replace the ball, and keep gaming. Good idea to show how it's supposed to be done though. First time I had to clean the trackball contacts, I ended up doing it the hard way; breaking out my screwdriver and opening the thing up.