Any Possible Way to Remove Scratches from Aluminum Macbook

Question

Any Possible Way to Remove Scratches from Aluminum Macbook

Dear Forum,

It is commonplace to note that, over time, the aluminum casing - even if one takes precautions - is likely to sustain a scratch or two. In general there is nothing wrong with this. But if one is planning on selling their product on in the future, it is important that it is kept in good cosmetic order. Thanks to using a Speck SeeThru Case cover I now have some small scratches on my macbook aluminum lid. Is there any way that I can get rid of them? Is it possible to get the macbook re-sprayed (quite a good business venture when you think about it, given the number of mac enthusiasts out there!). Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have read in many other forums, to my own personal disappointment, that not much can be done to remedy the scratches that have now appeared on my cover: it's not likely that I can replace the screen itself, is it? Still, there must be someone out there who is privy to knowledge of a product that might help.

Thanks in advance!

CallAnyVegetable

Macbook Aluminum, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on May 5, 2009 12:53 PM

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Answer 1

JoeyR

Level 6

8,305 points

May 5, 2009 1:22 PM in response to CallAnyVegetable

Scuff marks are not uncommon from Speck cases. Fortunately, you have an aluminum case. The Speck cases have been known to scratch the plastic MacBooks (the plastic in those is fairly soft). I haven't had any marks as a result of using my Speck case, so I haven't needed to get rid of them. The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser was popular on the plastic MacBooks... but I'd be a bit apprehensive of using it on an aluminum one. They are actually mildly abrasive (like a super fine sand paper)... they might typically not show up on the matte parts of a plastic MacBook (such as the area to the left and right of the trackpad which were known to get pretty dirty), but I'd be afraid that slight abrasion may be enough to scratch the aluminum. Hang in there, I'm sure someone will pop in with a good solution for you.

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Answer 2

y_p_w

Level 6

17,762 points

May 5, 2009 1:26 PM in response to JoeyR

JoeyR wrote:
There is no "re spraying" option as the MacBook isn't sprayed to start with. It's simply a chunk of aluminum. I would be somewhat surprised if the Speck cover actually scratched your case. Aluminum is pretty tough and it would be fairly difficult for a plastic case to scratch it unless there was something abrasive between the cover and the case (such as sand or something like that). I could see a Speck case possibly scuffing the aluminum... but that should come off with a mild cleaner.

Bare aluminum (or an alloy) isn't necessarily all that tough. Some alloys can be made to be very tough, but I don't know if Apple would be using those. Most aluminum alloy wheels are clear coated to add a layer of corrosion resistance, and any scuffs can be buffed out with a mild abrasive (like a clear coat on paint). Aluminum itself is pretty resistant to corrosion like stainless steel; rapid corrosion forms a protective layer of aluminum oxide which reforms quickly when scratched. It might not work as well in acidic conditions or tough environments with exposure to salts. You can see corrosion in older aluminum boat hulls.

I thought that the silver finish was anodized. Any attempt to buff it out might remove more of the anodized layer.

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Answer 3

JoeyR

Level 6

8,305 points

May 5, 2009 1:03 PM in response to CallAnyVegetable

There is no "re spraying" option as the MacBook isn't sprayed to start with. It's simply a chunk of aluminum. I would be somewhat surprised if the Speck cover actually scratched your case. Aluminum is pretty tough and it would be fairly difficult for a plastic case to scratch it unless there was something abrasive between the cover and the case (such as sand or something like that). I could see a Speck case possibly scuffing the aluminum... but that should come off with a mild cleaner.

You made a comment with respect to replacing the screen. Are you saying it is your display that is scratched? Or are you saying it is the top of your case that is scratched and you would like to have the entire top replaced? If your concern is resale value... the cost of replacing the top would probably far outweigh the loss in resale value that a few small scratches might cause.

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Answer 4

May 5, 2009 1:08 PM in response to JoeyR

Well, perhaps it is just scuffed. But then, how might I go about removing the scuff marks? What cleaning solution would you suggest? I've already used iKlean to no avail.

I merely mentioned the Speck SeeThru case as I only noticed the small marks when I removed it; and they definitely weren't there before I fitted it onto the macbook!

Thanks,
CallAnyVegetable.

Message was edited by: CallAnyVegetable

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Answer 5

May 5, 2009 1:35 PM in response to y_p_w

Thanks for your input. Would I be correct in assuming that you believe there is no way to remove the scuff marks from the lid of my macbook? Much of what you write is lucid and to the point, like the above commentator. It would be a shame to think that there is no way to remove scratches from the aluminum unibody. Many people out there will find this deeply unsatisfying. Surely there is a company out there concentrating on this problem? There is quite a bit of money to be made from it, I must say!

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Answer 6

May 5, 2009 1:26 PM in response to JoeyR

Thanks for your comments in any event. I do hope more people venture in to give some much needed advice.

CallAnyVegetable

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