How should one clean iMac aluminum?

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Level 1

52 points

How should one clean iMac aluminum?

Hi,
Strangely, I searched "cleaning iMac" for this forum and there was little or nothing about how to clean the new aluminum iMac. I already called my local Apple store and even they were hesitant to name a tried and single method for cleaning the aluminum.

I bought some Weiman Stainless Steel Spray Polish and tried a small area on the back part of the aluminum stand. I could be wrong, but I think it took the shine off a little too much. So that may not be a good cleaner.

Does anyone have any ideas on this?

Many Thanks, Frank B.

24" Intel iMac / 13" Intel MacBook (white)/ iPhone/ iPod, Mac OS X (10.4.10), Core 2 Duo/2.4 Ghz

Posted on Sep 10, 2007 1:04 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Michael Shaw

Level 2

250 points

Sep 10, 2007 1:30 PM in response to brightbelt

BrightBelt sez:

I searched "cleaning iMac" for this forum and there was little or nothing about how to clean the new aluminum iMac. I already called my local Apple store and even they were hesitant to name a tried and single method for cleaning the aluminum.

I sez:

Don't get it dirty. Seriously.

You are not actually seeing aluminum when you look at your new iMac. What you are seeing is aluminum oxide. Aluminium oxide is responsible for metallic aluminium's resistance to weathering. Metallic aluminium is VERY REACTIVE with atmospheric oxygen, and a thin passivation layer of alumina quickly forms on any exposed aluminium surface. This layer protects the metal from further oxidation. (The only time I ever actually saw aluminum metal was while I was machining it in a bath of kerosene.)

A number of alloys, such as aluminium bronzes, exploit this property by including a proportion of aluminium in the alloy to enhance corrosion resistance. You can remove the aluminum oxide with any abrasive cleanser and another layer of aluminum oxide will form as quickly as air touches the exposed aluminum metal. Unless you uniformly alter the surface of the oxide and polish out imperfections you will only achieve a splotchy finish.
Don't get it dirty.
M

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Answer 2

The Looby

Level 4

1,285 points

Sep 10, 2007 2:52 PM in response to brightbelt

Mother Apple says:

_Aluminum case:_ Damp lint-free cloth, water only. Wipe.

_Glass display:_ Damp lint-free cloth, water &/or iKlear. Wipe, don't spray.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306202

.
... Caution: 2.4 GHz iMac not OSHA/EU approved for use in bathtub,

Looby

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Answer 3

Sep 10, 2007 5:27 PM in response to brightbelt

Microfiber cloth. Can get at Staples.

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Answer 4

brightbelt Author

Level 1

52 points

Sep 10, 2007 10:09 PM in response to brightbelt

Thanks for the tips you all! I guess it's microfiber and a little water and that's it for the aluminum.

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Answer 5

Sep 10, 2007 11:48 PM in response to brightbelt

There was a dark microfibre cloth included in the iMac-package!
Use it and according to the instructions that were also given by Apple in the manual... omg

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