How to Deal with a BlackBerry thats Gotten Wet.
Well, I've been around the forums a bit, even did a--well vague--search for this kind of help, and didn't really find a specific thread, just a collection of posts.
Essentially this is a HOW TO for WET BlackBerrys, and a few misc "Dead Ends" for certain things. Anyone with recommendations or steps that are solid or feel solid, I will be glad to add them. I'd be more than happy.
Now I'm no brainiac when it comes with dealing with water damage to electronics, but I've seen my share, mainly with computers. But heres the basics, that have always been standard:
You've dropped your BlackBerry into water
1. Remove the Battery Immediately! Don't put it back in!
You should always remove the Battery as quickly as you can to diminish chances of a short circuit happening.
2. Let dry for roughly 3 days. Their are ideas to drop the phone in rice for a few days too, which works. Putting it in a container with Silica Gel will help speed up the process and improve de-moisturization*.
3. After three or Four days, of total drying, you may finally reinsert the Battery.
The Following here is a what to do when you drop your BlackBerry into a liquid that will dry sticky.
You've dropped your BlackBerry into a bowl of Strawberry Hawaiian Punch
1. Remove the battery immediately! Don't put it back in!
From there you have two options. You can follow along with the "cleaner" option, or follow 2A and take the hard way.
2. Dunk it into Pure Alcohol 100 Proof, Isopropyl Alcohol, or Distilled Water to clean out the BlackBerry.
3. After you did #2, let it dry, and reinsert the Battery.
2a. Wait for it to dry. (This step will require you to void your warranty)
3a. Once you've let your phone dry... you will have to take apart your phone, and clean it up.
Using RadioShacks Precision Electronics Cleaner will help greatly, it comes with a brush on the tip, that will help getting into the crevices. If you want, you can also use rubbing alcohol, isopropyl. If you really can't get it, aim for straight alcohol, that's 100 proof if you have to, or higher.
4a. You're done. Once you've finished and let it dry (24 hours) and you may finally reinsert the Battery.
Now... After all this. Heres what might not work properly--something I didn't well nail down on.
Your Speaker, and Your Mic, and maybe the screen--depending on the device--may have issues at the time you ressurect the device or later on down the line. And problems can always pop up even later down the line. Not every device acts the same when it goes to water, and from what I've read, not every device seems to be a exact replica of each other >.> So always. ALWAYS, try your best not to drop into liquid.
I have seen the video of someone dropping their BlackBerry Curve 8300 into water and it worked fine even when in the water. I do not know if that's the same for ALL devices...... Though I will be happy to sacrafice a BB in the name of SCIENCE!
Kudos to Barbwyr for the Silica Gel option!