I can't remember ever pulling key tops from Bill West keyboards. In practically all cases, it's just dirt, mostly on the leaf springs that causes both the snappy clicking and the sometimes less than perfect contact: The small longitudinal movement of the middle of the spring is impeded against the plastic parts, making smooth movement impossible. I have found the easiest, best and lasting remedy to be a good rinse with, or preferably, *in* IPA (Isopropyl alcohol, Isopropanol). Make sure all touching surfaces are exercised against each other while cleaning. Wherever possible, I just dip complete PCB's with keyswitches in the IPA bath. No need to remove key mechanisms nor keytops.
If you want to lube afterwards, make sure to use a lube that doesn't become sticky with time or attacks the plastic.
Raymond
