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Hi My roommate was doing some painting and my MacBook was on the coffee table and now I have flecks of paint on my screen. What is the safest way to remove it without damaging the screen?
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6)
Try Goof-Off or Methyl Ethyl Keytone (MEK) both which dissolve water based paint (latex wall paints) and evaporate very quickly, however when it dries if it's on the screen again then it will dry there. So you need to wipe off with clean areas of a cloth quickly to transfer the paint to the cloth and not back onto the screen.
Since both are extremely powerful solvents, it's highly advised to test using a cotton swab on a lower corner someplace small and allow to dry, hold at a angle to see if it will damage the screen.
If it's small tiny flecks like spots, you may use a plastic credit card or plastic paint scraper and lightly pass over the screen and chip them off.
Oil based paints are a different matter, I'm assuming here the walls were painted to get that sort of splatter on the screen.
Try Goof-Off or Methyl Ethyl Keytone (MEK) both which dissolve water based paint (latex wall paints) and evaporate very quickly, however when it dries if it's on the screen again then it will dry there. So you need to wipe off with clean areas of a cloth quickly to transfer the paint to the cloth and not back onto the screen.
Since both are extremely powerful solvents, it's highly advised to test using a cotton swab on a lower corner someplace small and allow to dry, hold at a angle to see if it will damage the screen.
If it's small tiny flecks like spots, you may use a plastic credit card or plastic paint scraper and lightly pass over the screen and chip them off.
Oil based paints are a different matter, I'm assuming here the walls were painted to get that sort of splatter on the screen.
Water only works on still wet water based paints, once the paint dries water is useless.
I've found there is a bit of a "grace period" of 12-24 hours before many latex paints set up for good. "Dry to the touch" during that period belies the fact that, just under the surface, the paint hasn't completely adhered to the substrate. The slight dampening does not disolve te paint but rather seems to help break the developing grip of the paint on non-porous surfaces.
I've helped with many theater sets where latex paint was the rule, and had to clean props that got spattered in the process or face the wrath of the Prop Mistress (insert scary music here). If we got to the spatters inside of 24 hours, clean-up was relatively easy. After that, ......(insert scary music again!)
If you have the older matte display, you may never get all the paint off.
If it's the glossy display and your friend was using a latex-based paint, you may be able to dislodge little flecks by using a cotton swab barely-moistened with distilled water (put something over the rest of the computer to protect it from any drips that, in spite of your care, may escape).
Rub the swab lightly on each speck for a minute or so. Then use a fingernail to gently push at the fleck. That might be enough to dislodge it. It won;t be fast but should be safe.
If your friend was using an oil-based paint, you'll probably need a new display cover.
Thank's guys! a combination of the two suggestions has worked out. getting the screen damp (with water) and using a credit card to scrape everything off has turned out great! it's not like new but at least its not like looking at a mud splattered window anymore. 🙂
Water only works on still wet water based paints, once the paint dries water is useless.
So the plastic credit card is what worked because to chip the paint off it has to be dry.
Putting water on the screen is a risk it could get inside the machine and cause further damage.
OK to clarify, I tried the credit card dry because I am scared to use a solvent. that removed about 20% of the paint. I then took a damp cloth (not dripping or anything) and wiped the screen with it about every 30 seconds, for about 3 or 4 minutes (to keep it moist not to try and clean it). Then I used the credit card again and removed about another 50 to 60%. I will try this again when I have more time to see if I can get the last of it. So in review credit card dry=20% moist screen and credit card=50%. thank you all for your help. 🙂
I paint on canvas and use my iPad as a reference. Paint will splatter from the brush as it "flicks" off the canvas. I tried flatscreen cleaners and lens wipes, etc. the only thing that worked was the credit card! Awesome advice. Thanks everyone!
Use Aftershave on a cotton bud. Works every time for me and never marks my Dell Ultrasharp.
how to remove paint from my macbook screen
