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

29 replies

Jun 19, 2006 10:20 AM in response to JimUrban

So... how is that suppose to help us who have a discoloring macbook?
I'd wish Apple Discussion Team spend their time deleting posts like yours, rather than delete posts of users with a problem and who take active position at trying to help others.

Funny huh

RbThomas

Level 1

5 points

Jun 19, 2006 11:01 AM in response to dp2

This won't help those with dis-coloration, but can prevent it. The InvisiShield solution will work fine if you want to order from them (address in this thread or another on discoloration; link escapes me at this moment), but you can get equal protection for the palm rests and the scroll pad button as follows.

Best Buy or CompUSA (in the US) or similar electronics or photography stores sell clear LCD protectors used on digital cameras (and PDAs). I bought a pack of the Fellows brand from a Best Buy in Tacoma that were un-sized (you cut to size). Their size out of the pack is approx. 3" x 4" (inches). Cut them to size to cover both sides of the palm rest and the scroll button. They're clear, leave no residue, and are impermiable high gloss, 10 sheets to a pack. Cost of the package was US $15.99. Cheap insurance. Waiting on ProTouchPB to release their MacBook keyboard silicone keyboard cover. Too bad we have to go to these lengths, but well worth it.

lo_tech

Level 1

55 points

Jun 19, 2006 11:42 AM in response to dp2

sigh I find it a bit sad that we have to resort to 3rd party products and convoluted pseudo-alchemical testing in order to make this relatively expensive product come close to the standards which I feel we have every right to expect from apple. They have been making computers for years, but have shown a startling naivete with regards to the materials used to make this computer.

I visited an apple reseller in my lunchbreak today to see for myself and sure enough, the inside of the white macbook seems coated in a soft, slightly silky layer. The black one on the other hand seems considerably tougher, but shows off your fingerprints very nicely! Still I think I can cope with that.

I only hope that apple do the decent thing: admit they have made a mistake and compensate those loyal customers who have been affected by their shortsightedness. <end of rant>

Jun 19, 2006 12:53 PM in response to dp2

I saw somewhere that someone had used one of those Mr. Clean Magic Eraser pads with some success. Don't have the problem so I haven't tried it.

Rob A

Level 2

330 points

Jun 19, 2006 1:31 PM in response to dp2

I was weary about cosmetic issues when I purchased my macbook. It's a beautiful machine, and so susceptible to scratches and smudges like the ipod. I use absolutely NO cleaning fluids whatsoever with my macbook. I use a fine linen, the type used on glasses, for my machine. I read in the manual that using cleaning fluids of any kind were not recommended and I take that seriously. Unfortunately, like most plastic surfaces, if the state of your macbook is as bad as you say, discoloration may be irreparable. But before trying anything foolish like trying to counter chemical damage with more chemical treatment consult someone that knows more about removing stains from plastics. But my advice is to just be glad you didn't drop this computer.

Macbook- 1.83 GHz 1 GB Ram 80GB HD....and Dell Inspiron 8200 WinXP (stop laughing it was free) and 60GB ipod Mac OS X (10.4.6)

dp2 Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 19, 2006 2:07 PM in response to Rob A

just be glad you didn't drop this computer

Yes, it is good to look at this in perspective! 🙂

Jun 19, 2006 2:11 PM in response to ArchUrban

Out of luck?
Funny.. how can someone be out of luck with a 3-week-old computer?

Fortunately enough, in Europe, authorities defend the customer. Sure, it takes a lot of bureaucracy.. but at the end you get a fair solution (like Apple being obliged to replace cases within warranty).

This is just to recent. I will wait a fair amount of time for Apple to respond. If not, next step is to officially file a complaint against Apple Spain.

Out of luck! Huh!

Jun 19, 2006 2:13 PM in response to Joel C.

Exactly.
I'm trying things I know are safe. Like soaps and cloths. But it's goo that there are post like this to alert people NOT to use acetone or isopropyl alcohol.

Jun 19, 2006 2:15 PM in response to Randy Phillips2

That product removes normal dirt from everyday use. It does , however, not remove the discoloration stains product of damaged plastic.

dp2 Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 19, 2006 2:44 PM in response to lo_tech

(regarding sanding it completely down,)

I know! I've considered it for a moment, but the problem is, the palmrest is one big piece of painted plastic, extending around each key of the keyboard, all the way up by the hinge.--not like the 12" PowerBook. If it were build like the 12" PB something like that would be a lot easier.

I think one would have to take it completely apart and carefully sand it for a long time to get decent results.

And I don't want to void my Applecare that I paid for. >:(

valend

Level 2

150 points

Jun 19, 2006 3:23 PM in response to Jose M Olaya

some of these photos are astonishing beyong belief!! Could this have anything to do with the heat issue? They look almost like they are heat induced. Maybe certain people have a different skin/oil/sweat combination compared to others that when combined with the heat are causing this problem. This would certainly explain the randomness of this. Really bizarre! I feel so sorry for all these people who plinked down $1200 and ended up with this mess! I am glad I ended up getting black though they do smudge a lot easier than the white ones!

d

Jun 19, 2006 3:50 PM in response to dp2

Has anyone tried using a clean rubber eraser?

bandit

Level 3

895 points

Jun 19, 2006 3:58 PM in response to dp2

so sorry to hear about your macbook.

I read in an earlier post about a place that will paint your macbooks.
http://www.colorwarepc.com/Default.aspx

Maybe this will help you?

Good luck

valend

Level 2

150 points

Jun 19, 2006 4:06 PM in response to bandit

I wonder if Apple will pay for the $449 they charge to pain the MacBook! I doubt it. If I had this problem, I would want it painted the same white it came in!

d

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