Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacBook Pro 16 Keyboard matte coatings come off.

suuuu

suuuu

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 13, 2020
2
0
I thought it was oil in my hand, so I wiped the keyboard, but it won't erase. Apparently, the matte coating on the keyboard came off. It's been 3 months since I bought this 16 inch MacBook, and I'm heartbroken because it's already peeled off. Is there anyone who has already removed the matte coating like me? Is it only possible to replace the keyboard at the official repair shop?
IMG_0984.jpg
 
fromsixtozero said:
Completely normal, happens on all mac keyboards..
Click to expand...
On every Mac keyboard? I thought it was strange because it was already peeling off even though I had used it for a few months.
[automerge]1586782164[/automerge]
mrwizardno2 said:
Definitely happens on more than just Mac keyboards. :p

Every Lenovo, Dell, HP laptop I've ever had has done the same.
Click to expand...
The coating didn't come off the other people's MacBooks, so I wondered if it only came off that fast in my Mac
[automerge]1586782255[/automerge]
mrwizardno2 said:
Definitely happens on more than just Mac keyboards. :p

Every Lenovo, Dell, HP laptop I've ever had has done the same.
Click to expand...
Can I replace only the keyboard at the official repair shop later??😂😂
 
suuuu said:
Can I replace only the keyboard at the official repair shop later??😂😂
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if there's a replacement policy for this as it's likely covered under "wear." Seems like it's happening pretty fast for you, though. Have you tried giving it a gentle cleaning? Maybe it's just oily?
 
I'm getting old, and my vision isn't what it used to be, but the pic in post 1 looks completely normal to me.

Anything that has a "matte" finish will eventually develop a bit of "a shine" if you keep touching and rubbing it with your fingers. Happens on guitars, too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dgdosen, BigMcGuire and jerryk
Happens on any surface!! But especially the ones that you press on thousands of times in a day :) very normal, use a keyboard protector if you want to sacrifice some "feel" to prevent that!

www.amazon.com

Uppercase GhostCover® Premium Ultra Thin Keyboard Cover Protector Compatible with 2020 2021 2022 Intel or M1/M2-Based MacBook Pro 13" and 2019-2020 Intel-Based MacBook Pro 16" A2338 A2289 A2251 A2141

Made with premium thermal plastic polyurethane (not silicone), this keyboard cover provides unobstructed protection for your MacBook keyboard against spills, dust and other contaminants.
www.amazon.com

Something like this will help.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Older mac's were more durable for me in this respect. Still have a well used 2011 15" and it's keys remain predominately matt. Newer models the key caps seem to polish up fairly rapidly. Just depends on what material the manufacturer specifies, some being more durable than others.

This Asus is closing on 2 years and no sign of the key's, polishing up as yet. Personally I don't worry about it too much as there's little can be done if the material is soft.

Q-6
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mendota and Falhófnir
yeah, I think it happens more easily on newer macs, but it's certainly normal. Happened on all the ones I've used on most used keys. ( right side of space, e, especially )
 
  • Like
Reactions: Falhófnir
Has not happened on my MacBook Pro 16 inch after 2 months. Will check in one more month. I know this is a very common issue. However, the coating on this Mac is particularly more resistant to wearing compared to the MacBook Pro 2016-2019 as far as I have seen (with Butterfly mechanism) . Usually the older models become shiny after just a few weeks. I guess we got luck that it takes a few months rather than weeks.
 
rishipatel1231 said:
Has not happened on my MacBook Pro 16 inch after 2 months. Will check in one more month. I know this is a very common issue. However, the coating on this Mac is particularly more resistant to wearing compared to the MacBook Pro 2016-2019 as far as I have seen (with Butterfly mechanism) . Usually the older models become shiny after just a few weeks. I guess we got luck that it takes a few months rather than weeks.
Click to expand...

That's not my experience, I've 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 MBP's still in the house and the newer models the keyboard's polish up far faster. The new 16" I can't speak of, equally anything past 2015 the keycaps have polished in a matter of months in my own use.

Worst being the 12" Retina, within days the keycaps were obviously polishing up, very far from what I expect from a premium notebook. This baseline Asus the keycaps are still matte after close to two years of professional use, just what exactly is wrong with Apple today...?

My well beaten 2011 15" MBP still has matte keys after numerous years of abuse across multiple users. Over 102 months of use. Just maybe "someone" once had higher expectations of the Mac & Apple. Not to cheap out and save a few cents on the build quality, as seems to be the case today...

Q-6
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: diego.caraballo
Mate I meant in comparison to the new 16 inch model. I had a 2015 MacBook Pro and the coating lasted longer than my 2017 MacBook Pro. That I agree with. However, my 16 inch has outlasted them by a good bit.
[automerge]1586903040[/automerge]
rishipatel1231 said:
Mate I meant in comparison to the new 16 inch model. I had a 2015 MacBook Pro and the coating lasted longer than my 2017 MacBook Pro. That I agree with. However, my 16 inch has outlasted them by a good bit.
Click to expand...
I remember that I was OCD abt that stuff at the time but then I realized that all of the keyboards will wear like this. Just enjoy the machine! This is probably the smallest problem that a Mac could have.
 
Expecting something that you handle daily to stay perfect is just setting yourself up for failure.

Your fingers are abrasive and oily, of course this will happen.

Replacing a keyboard for this would be a fools errand.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rishipatel1231
When I worked as an AASP as a tech. We could order the keycaps, and replace them. Maybe you can do that. They do NOT have to replace the entire top case. Just wanted to let you know. 😊
 
Chompineer said:
Expecting something that you handle daily to stay perfect is just setting yourself up for failure.

Your fingers are abrasive and oily, of course this will happen.

Replacing a keyboard for this would be a fools errand.
Click to expand...

Agreed, equally how can a notebook's Keycaps have little to no issue (polishing) after over 7-1/2 years of constant use (estimate), yet far newer Mac's the keycaps polish up in a matter of months?

My 2011 15" left my ownership around 2013, was hammered/abused by multiple users, until around 2019, when it came back to roost being suspected of little more than scrap. Today it remains stock, runs better than ever, and the keycaps are most definitely matte. Even the 2008 pre unibody keyboard has proved more durable, and that's on it's 3rd set of fans...

I want the quality and value of the hardware to return, or else why bother with Apple...

Q-6
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Falhófnir
rishipatel1231 said:
Mate I meant in comparison to the new 16 inch model. I had a 2015 MacBook Pro and the coating lasted longer than my 2017 MacBook Pro. That I agree with. However, my 16 inch has outlasted them by a good bit.
[automerge]1586903040[/automerge]

I remember that I was OCD abt that stuff at the time but then I realized that all of the keyboards will wear like this. Just enjoy the machine! This is probably the smallest problem that a Mac could have.
Click to expand...
How can that be when you can only have had your 16" a maximum of 5 months?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Queen6
Just want to provide an update on my MacBook Pro 16 inch after three months with it. My space bar has gotten very slightly shiny in a small area on the right side. However the rest of the keys are more or less fine.
 
As others said, this is completely normal wear and tear. All keyboards have it. There's no way to prevent it, you're touching something over and over.
 
Interesting. I've used my 2016 MBP extensively daily for 3.5 years and I don't notice any shine on keys. I also own another second hand MBP that has shine on keys in the same light. I wonder if someones personal body chemistry could be a factor here. One persons sweat/oils composition causes plastic to become shiny while other persons don't. Maybe someone with knowledge in biology and chemistry could weigh in on this matter.
 
leovilma said:
Interesting. I've used my 2016 MBP extensively daily for 3.5 years and I don't notice any shine on keys. I also own another second hand MBP that has shine on keys in the same light. I wonder if someones personal body chemistry could be a factor here. One persons sweat/oils composition causes plastic to become shiny while other persons don't. Maybe someone with knowledge in biology and chemistry could weigh in on this matter.
Click to expand...
yea I was just tryna provide an update for one of my previous replies in this thread. 🙂
 
Does anybody know if the 16" keyboard is still prone to flaking key paint (i.e. on often used keys like 'A' or 'E') as it was the case for the 2016-2019 15" butterfly keyboards?

I am just wondering whether the polishing of the keys is just the beginning...
 
My keys have not faked yet. I think is using a different plastic on the magic keyboards than the ones on the butterfly keyboards because the butterfly keys are a darker shade of gray than the magic keys.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back