WARNING: DO NOT USE nail polish remover--Even Non-Acetone! (on macbook).

Question

Level 1

0 points

WARNING: DO NOT USE nail polish remover--Even Non-Acetone! (on macbook).

Here's my experience with my pathetically stained MacBook after 4 weeks.

The discoloration arrived, seemingly all at once, after 2.5 weeks. I tried my usual, a gentle part-alcohol Staples Screen Cleaning Fluid (coincidentally, I asked them at my local Apple Store what they used and they produced the exact same bottle). That did nothing. I tried alcohol, peroxide, still no luck. Following some poor advice on this forum, I tried a bottle of clear "Cutex Advanced" Non-Acetone nail polish remover (hereafter, "NPR"). Rubbing a little in with a Q-Tip or paper towel, I tried to remove the horrible discoloration. There was no change. I put it aside for a few days... Today, after reading a very impassioned post by someone who claimed it really worked, I figured I hadn't tried hard enough. I resumed my struggles with the NPR. After more rubbing, I noticed that an area where I'd dripped the NPR directly on the accursed plastic, and left it for about 30 seconds while rubbing the other palmrest, was discernably lighter than the surrounding stain. Encouraged, I dripped a thin layer over the whole left-side discoloration, which is the worst side on mine. After letting it sit 30 seconds or so, I rubbed the area with a paper towel until dry and inspected the results. Some areas were definitely better, however, I noticed what appeared to my eyes to be a subtle change in texture. Intrigued, I scratched at it lightly with my fingernail to feel whether the texture had indeed changed...

I was horrified when a big scratch appeared in the surface. What appeared to be PAINT had scratched right off in my fingernail!!

So now my freaking $1200 computer is barely a month old and now has a huge scratch in the CRAPPY PAINT right on my palmrest!

This cheap paint stuff is what's responsible for the discoloration. It's clearly perfectly white underneath--why Apple chose to paint this plastic with this crap is beyond me.

Thoughts, anyone?

If anyone wants to see pictures, I have them. But I'd rather not because I only have a cameraphone right now and the quality ***** anyway.

MacBook 2.0Ghz, White Mac OS X (10.4.6) With discoloration and now a big scratch!

Posted on Jun 19, 2006 2:46 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Joel C.

Level 6

15,919 points

Jun 19, 2006 6:58 AM in response to dp2

I'm no rocket scientist but I'm pretty sure that it sounded like a bad idea from the get-go and I certainly wouldn't have taken the word of some posting on the internet as gospel enough to try it out on a $1K+ computer. Nail polish and plastic don't mix (acetone or not).

Reply

Answer 2

Jun 19, 2006 3:44 AM in response to dp2

Interesting, are you sure the product really had not isopropyl or acetone?
I tried non-acetone polish remover and had no luck, no real effect to the macbook, no cleaning, no damaging, nothing. I applied it in a similar way to what you have done.

Can you email me (khyros@stainedbook.info) the pictures so I can post them on my website

Reply

Answer 3

ArchUrban

Level 4

1,160 points

Jun 19, 2006 4:36 AM in response to dp2

when you received macbook, I guess you didn't read manual because you're so excited to open the box, right? that's mistake. you should read it. there is care about macbook for everyday life. you don't use any alchol liquid directly to macbook or don't spray similar stuff, too. they'll cause some cosmatic problem which apple doesn't have responsibilty. all you have to do is gently use microfiber damp. you can sock water for damp then apply to washing your macbook. for screen? it's the same way. otherwise, you will ruin it by yourself.

Reply

Answer 4

Jun 19, 2006 5:31 AM in response to ArchUrban

Well guess what! That microfiber damp tip does not clean the discoloration stains. No regular cleaning advice works on discoloring macbooks. and don't forget these stains appear within two weeks (3 weeks top) of purchase.

Reply

Answer 5

Jun 19, 2006 5:42 AM in response to dp2

i'm sorry to hear that you damaged your new macbook! i can understand the frustration with the discoloration. the left palmrest on mine is slightly discolored also. so now, i'm just paranoid about touching it and i wipe it down after every use (and wash my hands before using it if i have to type). i'm also using a wireless mouse. just taking precautions.

could it possibly be not paint that dissolved but a layer of the plastic itself that dissolved after the prolonged exposure to the NPR?

if you can get it even or satisfactory looking, i would advise to put some sort of plastic protector over it. something akin to this : http://www.nushield.net/productscar_displayslexus.htm

again, sorry you damaged your computer.

Reply

Answer 6

lo_tech

Level 1

55 points

Jun 19, 2006 6:18 AM in response to dp2

I am wondering weather it might be better for people who have already damaged their macbook in this way to strip all the finish off the inside down to white plastic! at least it will all be the same colour. (I cant believe I am writing this, I am still kinda shocked that no-one at apple noticed this in the development stage!)

Reply

Answer 7

Nick A

Level 4

1,526 points

Jun 19, 2006 7:40 AM in response to dp2

Pics would be preferred to get your point across. So far I've seen very few pics of this discolouration and I'd like to see yours as it sounds especially horrid.

Nick

Reply

Answer 8

juhs10

Level 1

96 points

Jun 19, 2006 7:53 AM in response to Nick A

I think it's silly and dumb to attempt to mess with something so new and under warranty. You should be demanding apple take care of this problem with your machine and NOT trying message-board remedies. If you have a problem like this give apple a call, don't be pouring ramdom chemicals on your machine jeeze.

Reply

Answer 9

JimUrban

Level 4

2,590 points

Jun 19, 2006 8:01 AM in response to dp2

I heard,if you pour kerosene on the MacBook,light it and let it burn for 30 seconds,it will remove all evidence of yellowing and scratches.Give it a try and let us know how it works out.

Jim

THAT WAS SARCASM.DO NOT ATTEMPT

PowerBook G3 500 Mhz "Pismo" (Wonna buy it so I can get a MacBook?) Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Reply

Answer 10

Jun 19, 2006 8:02 AM in response to juhs10

Apple is denying the problem exists

Reply

Answer 11

Jun 19, 2006 8:03 AM in response to Nick A

There are quite a few pictures here, and they're from different customers

Reply

Answer 12

Jun 19, 2006 8:49 AM in response to MuadDib420

...so now, i'm just paranoid
about touching it and i wipe it down after every use
(and wash my hands before using it if i have to
type).
..........
would advise to put some sort of plastic protector
over it.

These messages have me concerned as well with my MacBook entering its one-month of age with no staining at all. I keep looking at it, keep holding it in the light at different angles. Nothing.

I have purchased some shield skins and will be applying those as soon as they arrive.

Reply

Answer 13

Joel C.

Level 6

15,919 points

Jun 19, 2006 8:56 AM in response to Jose M Olaya

That may be. That's a shame. But maybe if this is such a wide spread problem eventually they'll have to do something about it. But one thing they won't have to do regardless is honor your warranty after you've messed up your MacBooks finish with all sorts of homebrew.

Reply

Answer 14

ArchUrban

Level 4

1,160 points

Jun 19, 2006 9:36 AM in response to Jose M Olaya

how can you say like 'don't forget stain will be appeared within 3 weeks'? are you sure? I mean that it's not for every macbook-_- mine has no problem at all. I think it's depends on people, not everybody. so some of you are maybe out of luck. sorry to hear.

Reply

Answer 15

dp2 Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 19, 2006 9:46 AM in response to MuadDib420

could it possibly be not paint that dissolved but a layer of the plastic itself that dissolved after the prolonged exposure to the NPR?

Sure, potentially. Although in my view, it's both. Many paints are based on plastics (acrylic finishes for example). So in the end, a thin finish of some sort that stains easily and flakes off is paint, isn't it?

Thanks to all the replies that were friendly. I've seen WAY too many jerks on the Internet in the past few weeks who mocked everyone going through this as though they were filthy beasts.

And to the people who suggest shields for the palmrests--RIGHT ON! This is exactly what EVERYONE with a so-far-unstained MacBook should do--it's not worth risking your expensive computer to a PERMANENT, INDELIBLE stain that can appear in a matter of days. My personal favorite is the Invisible Shield (use it on my iPod) ( http://www.shieldzone.com/ ), although I haven't checked out the link someone else posted today, yet.

MacBook 2.0Ghz, White Mac OS X (10.4.6) With discoloration and now a big scratch!

Reply