HOW TO Remove white "stains" from Macbook Pro Alu Unibody Case

This isn't so much a question, as it is a contribution of info in this case.

I have seen many questions asked about the best way/best product to use, etc to remove the "stains" that sometimes can appear on the aluminum body of MacBook Pro's (and other Mac's no doubt) with the best solutions being "buy new case" or "put a skin cover on it".

So if you would like to remove these stains it IS possible, you just need the correct chemicals and the correct technique. You have to understand that these "stains" are actually marks left as a result of a chemical reaction that caused "etching" to form wherever the chemical touched the aluminum.

To get rid of these, you basically must "etch" the entire area (or probably the whole case) very very slightly. Keep in mind, not ALL of these stains will be able to be removed, but in my experience the vast majority can be. Here is what you need:

1.Sodium Hydroxide or "NaOH" (same thing as "condenser coil cleaner" used in HVAC systems)

2.Isopropyl/Rubbing Alcohol (the higher the % the better, I use 99%)

3.GLOVES (NaOH is highly basic and very drying/damaging to skin)

4.Plenty of Paper towels or equivalent

5.Good lighting

Here is the general procedure:

-The MOST important thing to remember is that you cannot allow the NaOH to remain on the surface of the case for more than a few seconds before you promptly END the chemical reaction by applying Iso/Rubbing Alcohol. If you leave the leave the NaOH on the surface for too long, you will have much worse staining! You've been warned! Use common sense here!

A. Spray some NaOH onto a paper towel (liberally) and quickly and evenly spread it around onto the entire area you are trying to restore. Once you see that the stains are disappearing, (should be no more than 5-10 seconds!)

B. Immediately use an alcohol-soaked towel and do the exact same quick, even wiping motion to the whole surface, then repeat this at least one more time, to make sure all the NaOH has been removed.

C. Last step, that's it!

Sorry if I have made this sound overly complex, but you never know what someone might do. I truly hope this helps someone out who was/is just as frustrated as I was with this issue.