Sugru Mousegrip

Modern day computer mice are built to last, with the analog balls of yesteryear all but extinct, and fancy new lasers most computer mice tend to last a long time.

If you spend a little bit more on a slightly nicer mouse, they tend to last even longer.
The problem I had with my Razer Diamond back is that it's nice rubberised button coatings was wearing thin, and the silicone sides were yellowing.

Solution? Sugru of course!

I made two basic modifications to my mouse, the main one being to cover the main two mouse buttons with Sugru, custom moulded to my finger tips. The second, to replace the yellowed silicone down the side of my mouse.

When I mentioned what I was doing, The Ideanator pricked up his ears and took note, and in the time it took me to write up this instructable he had already added some modifications onto his mouse, and got some pictures. So you will see a few shots throughout of his project, and how he did his compared to mine.

Materials and Tools used include - 

• A mouse that has seen better days, or
• A mouse that needs an ergonomic upgade
• A set of electronics screwdrivers, cross head is most likely
• Methylated Spirits, or Rubbing Alcohol (Nail Varnish also works)
• Cotton Wool, or some cloth
• Tweezers
• Sugru, I used three packets (2 Blue for the sides, 1 Black for the buttons)

Now, if you decide to go for the simple method, you may not plan to take apart your mouse. If you are just adding Sugru onto your mouse, skip this step.

In order to replace the sides I had to take my Razer mouse apart. While I was taking it apart, it made sense I give it all a good clean also, I recommend you do the same.

First lets turn the mouse over, most likely the screw(s) will be on the bottom. The Diamondback has just one screw holding it together, which is hidden behind the read mouse foot. This is a tactic used all the time with tech stuff, be sure to peel off all feet and stickers before you try and pry the mouse open.

First try lifting the top and bottom halves apart, if they do not come apart easily use a spare credit card as a shim to slide in and lever open the mouse.

Next we need to set out cleaning the mouse. Most mice will be simpler than the one I have used. The main problem area to tackle in most mice is the scroll wheel. If you clean one place on the inside make sure this is it! It will have hair and all sorts on it.

Note, the scroll wheel has a lubricant on it, so try to leave some of that on around the bits where it pivots, or add a little more afterwards (Vaseline is a good choice)

Next we need to remove the grippy stuff on the mouse buttons, and give the entire mouse a good clean.

Wind a little cotton wool around the end of your tweezers, and dip it into your chosen cleaning liquid, it should easily strip all grease and muck, any of the alcohol based choices will just evaporate, or you can use a little dry cotton wool to remove excess.

The rubberised buttons took a little bit extra work, but I managed to remove most of it, giving plenty of surface for the Sugru to adhere to.

I then reassembled my mouse, specifically leaving out my silicon sides.

I was then able to easily crack open some Sugru and push it into the gaps left behind, I made sure to put in a good amount, but tried not to push it in as it would just fill up the inside.

I decided to use an extra packet compared to my original plan (2 in total) as I wanted to give a little bit more grip at either side of the mouse.

At this point it is worth leaving it to cure for a few hours, it is very easy to ruin your hard work on the sides when doing the top buttons.

I managed to get away with using just once packet for the buttons, you should have plenty as the Diamond back has very large buttons.

I applied the bulk of it under where my forefingers sit, the thinning out to just a thin layer at the back of the buttons (near my palm)

Once I had applied the Sugru roughly to the buttons I then placed the mouse in my normal grip and pressed down onto the buttons, I then rocked my fingers in a circular motion a little.

That is pretty much it, very carefully place the mouse somewhere safe for it to cure. At least 24 hours is needed. Longer can not hurt.

I use my Razer mouse mostly for gaming, and Sugru is great, due to its waterproof nature it helps resist the mouse's nemisis - sweat.

Being able to resist high temperatures it could withstand my blazing gaming speed.
Having a resistance to low temperatures protected it during my cold blooded killing sprees on Left 4 Dead.

Thanks for reading, be sure to vote me in the Sugru contest.

If nothing else, make a comment below, I alway encourage suggestions, not matter how harsh.

- gmjhowe