Very good advice! Sticky coffee in the keys is one thing, but if you blew any of that anywhere that current is flowing, you are gonna have almost immediate corrosion. If it was my machine, I would take it to Apple, tell them exactly what happened and what I did to dry it out. If any of that got to any of the electrical components, it's only gonna get worse with time.
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HELP!! Spilled coffee
- Thread starter quantumguy
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Very good advice! Sticky coffee in the keys is one thing, but if you blew any of that anywhere that current is flowing, you are gonna have almost immediate corrosion. If it was my machine, I would take it to Apple, tell them exactly what happened and what I did to dry it out. If any of that got to any of the electrical components, it's only gonna get worse with time.
There are 2 stages I would go about this, the easy one and the much more difficult one.
Easy one (local surgery):
1. Remove the keys that don't work well or are sticky very carefully (as not to break them off) and wipe everything under them with a q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol thoroughly. Give it a couple of hours before you try it. There is a good chance it will work
2. Major surgery:
Remove the logic board and try cleaning it that way. Honestly speaking I would leave that as last resort as there are lots of ways to bork the board even for fairly experienced people. Even further last resort would be replacing keyboard
Ah, before you do all this make absolutely sure you release static from yourself. Otherwise you will need a whole new machine very quickly.
Easy one (local surgery):
1. Remove the keys that don't work well or are sticky very carefully (as not to break them off) and wipe everything under them with a q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol thoroughly. Give it a couple of hours before you try it. There is a good chance it will work
2. Major surgery:
Remove the logic board and try cleaning it that way. Honestly speaking I would leave that as last resort as there are lots of ways to bork the board even for fairly experienced people. Even further last resort would be replacing keyboard
Ah, before you do all this make absolutely sure you release static from yourself. Otherwise you will need a whole new machine very quickly.
Did you by chance purchase the computer with a credit card? Some credit card companies have a policy of replacing your purchase due to accidental damage within the first 90 days of purchase. It's worth exploring and finding out, if you don't know already! 
I like using the American Express Card just for this reason. Plus, they double the manufacturer's warranty. I had a PowerMac G5 replaced this way, as the logic board fried just before a year was up. They actually refunded my purchase price for the computer!
I like using the American Express Card just for this reason. Plus, they double the manufacturer's warranty. I had a PowerMac G5 replaced this way, as the logic board fried just before a year was up. They actually refunded my purchase price for the computer!The Shack
"Back when RadioShack was Radio Shack, they used to sell electronic equipment cleaning solution."
I still have a can of that stuff! Looks like part # 64-4345. Says safe on most plastics. "For PCB's, keyboards, telephone and fax equipment, battery contacts and remote control keypads." Other obvious flame and contact warnings.
What's in it, you ask?
Dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, hydrotreated heavy naptha, dipropylene glycol, methyl ether acetate and carbon dioxide.
"Back when RadioShack was Radio Shack, they used to sell electronic equipment cleaning solution."
I still have a can of that stuff! Looks like part # 64-4345. Says safe on most plastics. "For PCB's, keyboards, telephone and fax equipment, battery contacts and remote control keypads." Other obvious flame and contact warnings.
What's in it, you ask?
Dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, hydrotreated heavy naptha, dipropylene glycol, methyl ether acetate and carbon dioxide.
Nice (though the stuff looks nasty). It appears the "Shack" still carries it:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102649
You can afford another MBA. I am sure. Just taking this as a lesson and stop drinking starbucks so much. Those coffees are so expensive and over priced. People say they cannot afford 1000-1500 dollars laptop, but they are spending 6 dollars every day on coffee? Stop drinking coffee for months and you will be able to afford another MBA. Problem solved.
I had a similar experience with my 15" PC laptop, I spilled amaretto over the keyboard and screen. It worked at first, but apparently the liquid reached the battery and broke it, as well as under the screen. Just bad luck...
I have now decided to get an MBA 11" to replace it.
Good luck with you repairs!
I have now decided to get an MBA 11" to replace it.
Good luck with you repairs!
I was half kidding, but starbucks are still overpriced. Some coffee nerds always spend 5-6 bucks a day. To me, that 's crazy.
If buying from Apple, no they don't sell the keyboard separate. Apple doesn't sell the LCD separate from the bezel and lid neither, but that doesn't mean one cannot just repair the LCD. The keyboard does come apart, and you can find them that way from Chinese parts suppliers. Might take a bit of research, but I think you will find your initial assessment incorrect if doing it yourself is an option.
If Apple will replace the top case for $200, I think you would be crazy not to just have them do it. When comparing costs, consider time, tools, and the opportunity costs. If $200 eliminates all your troubles, that is a tiny price to pay considering what could have been much worse.
My cousin had an alcoholic drink spilled onto the table which his closed MBP was sitting on. The drink entered via the vent and damaged the logic and MagSafe boards. Total cost to fix was more than a brand new one for $1199 + tax. It was used sparingly for less than three months... bad things can happen, so a $200 fix is a bargain compared to what could have been far worse.
I figured as much, but the "if you can spend $6 a day on coffee" argument gets thrown around a lot, and not just here.
True.
My dilemma is if I tell Apple that I spilled coffee, they will probably not just replace the keyboard/top case (even if there is no damage to logic board/battery) and will want to replace the logic board - which is almost as much as a brand new air.
If I don't tell Apple - I might get lucky and they will just replace the top case.
But given that the new air's have as much as 9 humidity sensors (http://www.cultofmac.com/new-macbook-air-has-record-amount-of-moisture-sensors/67303), there I a good chance I don't get lucky.
Did you by chance purchase the computer with a credit card? Some credit card companies have a policy of replacing your purchase due to accidental damage within the first 90 days of purchase. It's worth exploring and finding out, if you don't know already!
No I unfortunately bought it with a debit card. Which offers no bells and whistles whatsoever.
Something to keep in mind next time!
Thanks. I might give this a try with q-tip and clean the keys.
In the meantime I have ordered the special Torx T5 pentalobe from ifixit.
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UPDATE:
Went in to the Apple Store yesterday, talked to the girl at Genius Bar. I told her I spilled little coffee, quickly powered it down, cleaned it and let it dry. Booted it up and ran the hardware test with no errors.
She told me her story of how she spilled nail polish remover on her MBP once and sympathized. She entered my serial number and other details on her computer and told me that they will be replacing the top case.
I asked her how much would that cost. To my surprise she said they will be replacing it at no charge!!
I asked her if this would void my warranty, she said usually it does, but in my case since the machine is so new she put in her CS code (whatever that is) and it would not void warranty.
I am more than pleased. Apple (as everyone knows) does have great customer service. No wonder they have such loyal customers.
Thank you all, for your responses/tips.
Went in to the Apple Store yesterday, talked to the girl at Genius Bar. I told her I spilled little coffee, quickly powered it down, cleaned it and let it dry. Booted it up and ran the hardware test with no errors.
She told me her story of how she spilled nail polish remover on her MBP once and sympathized. She entered my serial number and other details on her computer and told me that they will be replacing the top case.
I asked her how much would that cost. To my surprise she said they will be replacing it at no charge!!
I asked her if this would void my warranty, she said usually it does, but in my case since the machine is so new she put in her CS code (whatever that is) and it would not void warranty.
I am more than pleased. Apple (as everyone knows) does have great customer service. No wonder they have such loyal customers.
Thank you all, for your responses/tips.
oh man that hurts. i once spilled some coffee on my own laptop and the "." stopped working. just go to the apple store and let them replace the keyboard.
