Darn Shiny keys!!

[erkanasu]

I just got the jackpot,

sent out my keyboard for apple to fix the broken 'a' key that would get stuck.

they first f'd up and sent it back with no fix.

BUT on the 2nd go for the repair (waited 1-2 weeks in total), it returned back with a brand new keyboard (Entire thing), top case, and freaking battery.

im in keyboard heaven right now

+1 for AppleCare

 

[erkanasu]

I just got the jackpot,

sent out my keyboard for apple to fix the broken 'a' key that would get stuck.

they first f'd up and sent it back with no fix.

BUT on the 2nd go for the repair (waited 1-2 weeks in total), it returned back with a brand new keyboard (Entire thing), top case, and freaking battery.

im in keyboard heaven right now

+1 for AppleCare

update -- I just touched my face and then noticed some oil on the keyboard. FIRST SHINE!

 

[DMG35]

This too drives me crazy. I always get it really bad on the space bar. I started taking one of those film screen protectors that you put in water and cutting it to fit on the keyboard of my MacBook Pro. It's barely noticeable but keeps it from getting that awful shine.

I've also tried Keyshorts. They aren't bad but they take forever to get in and they are seriously one of the most frustratingly awful things I've ever had to install on a device.

 

[smirking]

This too drives me crazy. I always get it really bad on the space bar.

Fun fact: Most space bars are made from ABS plastic even when the rest of the keys are made out of the higher quality PBT stuff. Because of the length of the space bar, it's difficult to make them out of PBT plastic. It's higher quality, but also harder to mold. It's common to see some older high end keyboards or cap sets still look stunning after years of use with the exception of the space bar.

 

[FFabian]

Fun fact: Most space bars are made from ABS plastic even when the rest of the keys are made out of the higher quality PBT stuff. Because of the length of the space bar, it's difficult to make them out of PBT plastic. It's higher quality, but also harder to mold. It's common to see some older high end keyboards or cap sets still look stunning after years of use with the exception of the space bar.

Interesting, didn’t know that.

 

[raythompsontn]

I have to say that Apple's over priced cloth does a remarkable job of removing the shine from the keys and the trackpad. A couple of swipes and all the shine was gone.

If the shiny keys are that much of an issue, consider getting the cloth.

 

[DennisdeWit]

I just received my Keyshorts after waiting 1 month and a week. The installing was a tricky thing to do. I have to admit that I screwed up the 3 a bit, but other than that, it is ok. I am quite ok with the way I installed them. Yes, you can see some stripes because the stickers are a bit smaller than the key, so you could take them off when needed.

 

[russell_314]

I just received my Keyshorts after waiting 1 month and a week. The installing was a tricky thing to do. I have to admit that I screwed up the 3 a bit, but other than that, it is ok. I am quite ok with the way I installed them. Yes, you can see some stripes because the stickers are a bit smaller than the key, so you could take them off when needed.

This seems like a lot of work just to get a few extra bucks when it comes to time to resell. I suspect the stickers are going to start wearing so then do you buy new stickers or just use worn out ugly looking stickers just to keep your keys protected? If you buy new stickers that’s extra money plus time you spend carefully peeling those off and putting new ones on. I’m not sure how easy they peel off after being on for a while but I imagine it can’t be too easy.

If it works for you, then it’s worth it. I would really like to see how they look after a year. If they hold up for a year and still look halfway decent, then maybe they’re a better idea than I think they are. Also, a question I would have is since the tolerance is very tight when you close the lid, many people get like oil marks from the keyboard onto the screen. I wonder if this is going to make this worse or better. Since it’s more thickness, I think there’s going to be more pressure but it’s a different material so maybe it could be an improvement.

I find these interesting but I wouldn’t have the patience to do this. If I’m selling my old MacBook and someone tries to bargain with me because one of the keys are shiny, I’m going to walk away 😂

 

[ignatius345]

Fun fact: Most space bars are made from ABS plastic even when the rest of the keys are made out of the higher quality PBT stuff. Because of the length of the space bar, it's difficult to make them out of PBT plastic. It's higher quality, but also harder to mold. It's common to see some older high end keyboards or cap sets still look stunning after years of use with the exception of the space bar.

I actually pull the PBT keys (including a PBT space bar) off my mechanical keyboard and -- believe it or not -- soak them in denture cleaner to clean them. Works beautifully, and you get a nice minty smell to boot.

 

[DennisdeWit]

I had to remove the stickers already since they feel very sharp and cheap. Not happy about the product.

Be careful with removing the stickers! The adhesive is quite agressive and you could easily slam a key. ALWAYS put pressure against the key when removing the sticker!

 

[smirking]

I actually pull the PBT keys (including a PBT space bar) off my mechanical keyboard and -- believe it or not -- soak them in denture cleaner to clean them. Works beautifully, and you get a nice minty smell to boot.

I'd love to keep the look pristine, but I have to admit I'm way too lazy to do that. Salute to you for being this dedicated!

Also, I didn't know that PBT caps could also get slick and shiny. I only realized this upon taking close up photos of some keyboards I wanted to sell. It was hard to see until you got really close in, but every key that I rested my fingers on had a shiny dot in the middle that I couldn't completely remove.

 

[ignatius345]

I'd love to keep the look pristine, but I have to admit I'm way too lazy to do that. Salute to you for being this dedicated!

I'll do anything to avoid actually writing. "Let me get my keyboard all cleaned up" is a pretty great procrastination tactic.

 

[StoneJack]

i have a very thin film protector on keyboard. Works fine after 9 months of use, no shiny keys.

 

[rpmurray]

I use TPU covers instead of the silicone ones. Thinner and more durable, and they don't leave that silicone grease on the keys after using them for awhile.

 

[sunking101]

Is there really a thread on this subject? How do shiny keys affect the operation of the computer? Someone explain that too me. Shiny keys are just a byproduct of using the computer. All my MacBooks have had shiny keys because that's what happens when you type on a computer.

Yeah but Apple the expensive brand for premium products use cheap-a$$ plastic for their keyboards to save a few bucks. They don't pass this saving onto you of course but you have to deal with the shiny keys.

 

[DeepSix]

Latex gloves and a beauty brush prevent shiny keys. Or use an external keyboard.

 

[DeepSix]

Milk of magnesia works.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Yeah but Apple the expensive brand for premium products use cheap-a$$ plastic for their keyboards to save a few bucks. They don't pass this saving onto you of course but you have to deal with the shiny keys.

Not anymore...absolutely. Replaced with an M2 MBP, my 2009 MBP's keys are "to this day" nothing like what we've been seeing.

 

[Frieg]

Two images of my Shift key, one before cleaning and one after wiping with a tiny spritz of iKlear. Just wiping with a cloth will not clear smudges. A lightly damp cloth will improve it a little but you’ll still see a little shine, with iKlear no shine.

View attachment 2143874

View attachment 2143875

 

[Alpha Centauri]

I just want to confirm that iKlear takes away the shininess of the keys. I had an old bottle lying around and tried it. The shiny space bar was no longer shiny. I had tried Whoosh! previously but it didn’t do anything. I don’t know if you can still find iKlear but it definitely seems to work.

Ive been using it since 2009 and it was great. Ordered some a couple years ago and find it's more of a "greasy" formula...not quite what it used to be.

 

[smirking]

Is anyone who has an M4 laptop experiencing shiny keys? The keys on my M4 MBP aren't shiny and neither are the keys on my wife's M4 MBA. Something's changed.

The keys also feel more slippery to me, which I don't really like as it affects my typing efficiency.

 

[Technerd108]

Is anyone who has an M4 laptop experiencing shiny keys? The keys on my M4 MBP aren't shiny and neither are the keys on my wife's M4 MBA. Something's changed.

The keys also feel more slippery to me, which I don't really like as it affects my typing efficiency.

I'll take slippery over shiny any day but that's just me.

In my experience it takes about two months of use before the shine appears. If yours are already 2 months or older than you probably aren't going to have this issue. If you could let us know how old your devices are that would help.

In any case if it is fixed that is a great improvement in my personal opinion. Honestly besides a little wear on the ports and not babying the laptop my midnight M2 MBA has held up really well and if it didn't have shiny keys it would be hard to tell how old it is. I like something that ages well. I might not age so gracefully but at least my laptop can! Lol.

Seriously though this would be a big deal for me next time I upgrade.

 

[smirking]

I'll take slippery over shiny any day but that's just me.

As gross and embarrassing as I find it to be toting around a laptop that looks like I slept on it, I'd still prefer shiny over slippery but only for one unusual reason. I can type really really fast so the typing comfort is disproportionately important to me. Sometimes it's just fun to hammer out stuff at 100+ WPM because you can.

But I'm using an external keyboard much of the time anyway. I have a preference, but really don't care too much either way.

In my experience it takes about two months of use before the shine appears. If yours are already 2 months or older than you probably aren't going to have this issue. If you could let us know how old your devices are that would help.

We must be way more greasy than you in my household because I've had 10 Mac laptops since they went to USB-C and all of them except for my two recent M4's started getting shiny right away.

Something is clearly different about these M4's. I may use an external a lot, but I also use the built in keyboard a lot too and if I give the keyboard a good wipe, it looks good as new after six months of everyday use.

Seriously though this would be a big deal for me next time I upgrade.

Well then... hopefully what I'm experiencing is a lasting change and not some freak occurrence because one of their suppliers ran out of their preferred finish.

 

[DeepSix]

Is anyone who has an M4 laptop experiencing shiny keys? The keys on my M4 MBP aren't shiny and neither are the keys on my wife's M4 MBA. Something's changed.

The keys also feel more slippery to me, which I don't really like as it affects my typing efficiency.

You will get shiny keys 100%. If you can, try typing with your fingernails only. It limits your oils from your fingers to come in contact with the keys. If I have to press any of the keyboards keys, that's what I do, only press each key with my fingernail only. No skin to key contact.

 

[smirking]

You will get shiny keys 100%.

OK, let's rephrase this. Do all you M4 owners seem to notice that your keys don't shine so easily? Because my keyboard used to always look like it had been working the fryers at the local McDonald's after only a week and with a wipe down, my M4 MBP's keys still look new after 6 months.

If you can, try typing with your fingernails only. It limits your oils from your fingers to come in contact with the keys. If I have to press any of the keyboards keys, that's what I do, only press each key with my fingernail only. No skin to key contact.

And wow! You really are typing with your fingernails to avoid putting any prints on your keys? If it bothers you that much, why don't you just use an external keyboard?