Resolved Shiny areas on MacBook Keyboard: Oil or matt surface rubbing away?

[samotivad]

Hello,

I've owned a MacBook Pro 13" M1 for maybe 6 - 8 months. I use it quite regularly because I type a lot.
Most of my keys got shiny with oil from my fingers, so I bought a bottle of iKlear to remove it. For most of the keys, the iKlear worked very quickly. For an area of my spacebar where my thumb taps all the time, the shiny area is still there after me trying for quite a while with the iKlear and a microfibre cloth.

Do the MacBook keyboards have some kind of matt surface that wears down as quickly as that? Or is it likely to just be stubborn oil that I haven't managed to rub away yet? Just checking because I don't want to rub away even more of the matt surface if that's what is happening.

And a side subject... anyone know a keyboard cover that is actually good?

Edit:
Summary of solutions (thanks to the people who commented):

Problem: The MacBook Pro's keyboard's surface wears down quickly due to the kind of plastic Apple uses. Cleaning doesn't help much when it wears down because it's the matt surface of the keys that has worn away.

Solutions for keyboard: Matt transparent keyboard stickers from keyshorts.com or a keyboard cover from a company like Moshi.

Solution for trackpad/touchbar: A matt trackpad cover and TouchBar cover from Spigen called Airskin. Make sure whichever one you buy is a matt cover rather than the more common shiny ones, which feel horrible.

 

[rawweb]

I'm particularly crazy about keyboard cleanliness. Scary, but to the point where I'll wash my hands raw trying to keep my keyboard clean thinking it's my oils, but in truth, I know that the keyboard shine is mostly created by usage/wear. As the keyboard gets used, the shine is created by literally rubbing the coating as we type. I've also noticed the same thing on the spacebar over the years. The same effect happens on the white magic keyboards, but it's not as noticeable under most lighting scenarios. I have a closet full of space gray magic keyboards that I've "retired" because of this strange obsession of mine.

I've always tried to keep my MacBook's in pristine showroom state, usually so I can sell them in great shape, but in truth because I have this strange obsession about the keyboard, probably. This is the first time I'm publicly admitting it, lol. I hooked my sister-in-law up with a 2018 mbp a few years ago and I recently saw it and it was destroyed (to me). The keys were disgusting, shiny, grimy etc. The screen was horrific and the aluminum housings were quite worn. After she left, I started analyzing myself and my tendencies to keep apple hardware in pristine shape. I realized something. Her MacBook has character, it's hers. She takes it out into the wilderness, backpacks it up mountain sides and does some pretty spectacular work on it. Meanwhile, I'm over here trying to make mine a museum piece no one cares about and my MacBook has no story to tell.

Moral of the story, don't worry about the keyboard, I'm a recovering perfectionist.

 

[synergize]

The shiny spots on the MBP keyboard are like wear spots on leather seats in a Porsche 911, just means it's used as intended. The MBP isn't an "office queen" or in the case of the 911, not a garage queen!

 

[samotivad]

Heh, thanks for the story rawweb. I don't quite have the same level of worry, though I am admittedly a bit surprised that in less than 9 months the texture has started to wear off. I just checked my gf's Windows laptop and she has similar wear on her spacebar. Her computer is older than mine but she doesn't type as much as me (I write at least 10 - 15k words a month on the MacBook, sometimes more).

I'm thinking of putting a keyboard cover over it anyway because I'm a little concerned about the dust and debris that is starting to accumulate under the keys too. Compressed air doesn't get it out, so I'd rather try something now than having too much under there in a few years. I read today that Moshi ones are good.

I doubt I'll resell the MacBook I have. This is more about longevity and keeping it feeling nice than anything. I had a cover for the touchpad at some point too but the shiny surface ended up bothering me too much. It's a shame I can't find anyone selling rough touchpad covers. It'd be nice to have, especially for folks who already have a shiny, worn down touchpad... it just doesn't feel as good.

 

[JPack]

It's a wear issue. The shine is characteristic of ABS plastic being worn away.

Keyboard covers are recommended on day one. Personally, I find the silicone ones hug the keyboard better than vinyl ones.

 

[osx'r]

It's a wear issue. The shine is characteristic of ABS plastic being worn away.

Keyboard covers are recommended on day one. Personally, I find the silicone ones hug the keyboard better than vinyl ones.

I always thought they weren't a good idea because they reduce ventilation and impact thermals.

 

[samotivad]

Thank you, I'll try a silicone one in that case. I really wish I could find a shop that made a good paper like surface for the TouchPad. I found one American company that does it but ideally I'd like to avoid shipping it so far.

Do you know if Apple replace worn keys if the computer is still under AppleCare? I might ask them.

I get that the thermals might be a concern with keyboard covers but my computer doesn't do much heavy lifting to be honest. I do mostly text stuff. I'm a bit more concerned about the debris clogging up the back of the keys and jamming them.

 

[JPack]

I always thought they weren't a good idea because they reduce ventilation and impact thermals.

It's one of those myths that get busted once you see a teardown photo of the MacBook.

The processor is mounted on the flip side of the logic board, facing the bottom. So heat would need to pass through the PCB, through a solid rigid plastic board (which forms the base of the keyboard), through scissor mechanisms, and then finally through key caps. All of this would rely on convective transfer. I'd say 99% of the heat is designed to be dissipated through the heatpipe and heatsink.

 

[Fatus_Asticus]

I see oil on mine. I use a very small amount of degreaser on a cloth and it comes right off. The grey also shows oil prints more than the silver.

 

[synergize]

Thank you, I'll try a silicone one in that case. I really wish I could find a shop that made a good paper like surface for the TouchPad. I found one American company that does it but ideally I'd like to avoid shipping it so far.

Do you know if Apple replace worn keys if the computer is still under AppleCare? I might ask them.

I get that the thermals might be a concern with keyboard covers but my computer doesn't do much heavy lifting to be honest. I do mostly text stuff. I'm a bit more concerned about the debris clogging up the back of the keys and jamming them.

MasiBloom TPU Keyboard Cover Skin for 2021 Released MacBook Pro 14.2 / 16.2 inch M1 Max / Pro Chip with Touch ID A2442 A2485 US Layout Protector Accessory...is the best one I ever used, fit is spot on and it does not touch the screen when closed.

 

[elvisimprsntr]

a little isopropyl alcohol on a paper towel removes any oil from your fingers.

 

[ScholarsInk]

I'm particularly crazy about keyboard cleanliness. Scary, but to the point where I'll wash my hands raw trying to keep my keyboard clean thinking it's my oils, but in truth, I know that the keyboard shine is mostly created by usage/wear. As the keyboard gets used, the shine is created by literally rubbing the coating as we type. I've also noticed the same thing on the spacebar over the years. The same effect happens on the white magic keyboards, but it's not as noticeable under most lighting scenarios. I have a closet full of space gray magic keyboards that I've "retired" because of this strange obsession of mine.

The shiny spots on the MBP keyboard are like wear spots on leather seats in a Porsche 911, just means it's used as intended. The MBP isn't an "office queen" or in the case of the 911, not a garage queen!

Actually, the shininess is because Apple uses ABS plastic for these keyboards, instead of the superior PBT plastic which you can type on for decades with no such fade or shine.

 

[EugW]

Keyboard covers suck. I hate them. They really negatively affect the typing feel. I have tried several over the years, but continue to hate them.

I must admit though, if I were to give a butterfly keyboard Mac to my kid for school, I'd strongly consider putting one on that machine, just to keep all the crumbs out. However, the pre-2016 scissor keyboards are bomb proof, and now we're back to scissor in the 2021 models.

I only mention this because I've been eyeing used machines. I just picked up a 2015 MacBook Pro for one of my kids but eventually my other kid will need one too, and I see that the 2017 MacBook Pro are really starting to drop in price too on the used market. The 2015 has scissor so I'm not so worried about it, but the 2017 has butterfly.

 

[ScholarsInk]

Keyboard covers suck. I hate them. They really negatively affect the typing feel. I have tried several over the years, but continue to hate them.

I must admit though, if I were to give a butterfly keyboard Mac to my kid for school, I'd strongly consider putting one on that machine, just to keep all the crumbs out. However, the pre-2016 scissor keyboards are bomb proof, and now we're back to scissor in the 2021 models.

I only mention this because I've been eyeing used machines. I just picked up a 2015 MacBook Pro for one of my kids but eventually my other kid will need one too, and I see that the 2017 MacBook Pro are really starting to drop in price too on the used market. The 2015 has scissor so I'm not so worried about it, but the 2017 has butterfly.

Don’t do it. The butterfly mechanism will find a way to break. Mine was like that from the day I bought the computer (brand new), and from the day I got it back from a complete keyboard replacement! I don’t eat near my computer either.

 

[DMG35]

Unfortunately Apple puts a coating on the keyboards that wears away very easily. Its honestly a very cheap coating that looks bad after a few weeks of use, especially on the space bar. I hate the shiny wear on the keys so I found this and it helped solve the problem.

Transparent Keyboard Stickers (Clear version with no letters)

These blank, transparent keyboard stickers are almost invisible. They'll help to prevent the keys from unwanted damage, so you can enjoy an always good looking keyboard.

keyshorts.com

Its expensive for what it is but it can offer some protection for the keyboard without using those silicone covers which I personally hate.

I won't lie though it was a little tricky to apply but once I got it on there it protects the keys.

 

[stumblingfalk]

Such a weird thread, but I guess it goes to show how different we are

I like wear on my laptops. Shows they've been used and actually paid for themselves. The new toy shininess honeymoon phase wears off in a few months and they become integral parts of my life that I use for countless hours every year. They are tools.

 

[netnative]

MasiBloom TPU Keyboard Cover Skin for 2021 Released MacBook Pro 14.2 / 16.2 inch M1 Max / Pro Chip with Touch ID A2442 A2485 US Layout Protector Accessory...is the best one I ever used, fit is spot on and it does not touch the screen when closed.

Better that the UPPERCASE GhostCover?

 

[samotivad]

Unfortunately Apple puts a coating on the keyboards that wears away very easily. Its honestly a very cheap coating that looks bad after a few weeks of use, especially on the space bar. I hate the shiny wear on the keys so I found this and it helped solve the problem.

Transparent Keyboard Stickers (Clear version with no letters)

These blank, transparent keyboard stickers are almost invisible. They'll help to prevent the keys from unwanted damage, so you can enjoy an always good looking keyboard.

keyshorts.com

Its expensive for what it is but it can offer some protection for the keyboard without using those silicone covers which I personally hate.

I won't lie though it was a little tricky to apply but once I got it on there it protects the keys.

Seems like a great idea actually. I really like the feeling of matt texture on the keyboard so this could be a good solution. I assume the stickers can come off without causing damage?

 

[DMG35]

Seems like a great idea actually. I really like the feeling of matt texture on the keyboard so this could be a good solution. I assume the stickers can come off without causing damage?

Yes they come off easily.

 

[el.jeffe58]

I'm particularly crazy about keyboard cleanliness. Scary, but to the point where I'll wash my hands raw trying to keep my keyboard clean thinking it's my oils, but in truth, I know that the keyboard shine is mostly created by usage/wear. As the keyboard gets used, the shine is created by literally rubbing the coating as we type. I've also noticed the same thing on the spacebar over the years. The same effect happens on the white magic keyboards, but it's not as noticeable under most lighting scenarios. I have a closet full of space gray magic keyboards that I've "retired" because of this strange obsession of mine.

I've always tried to keep my MacBook's in pristine showroom state, usually so I can sell them in great shape, but in truth because I have this strange obsession about the keyboard, probably. This is the first time I'm publicly admitting it, lol. I hooked my sister-in-law up with a 2018 mbp a few years ago and I recently saw it and it was destroyed (to me). The keys were disgusting, shiny, grimy etc. The screen was horrific and the aluminum housings were quite worn. After she left, I started analyzing myself and my tendencies to keep apple hardware in pristine shape. I realized something. Her MacBook has character, it's hers. She takes it out into the wilderness, backpacks it up mountain sides and does some pretty spectacular work on it. Meanwhile, I'm over here trying to make mine a museum piece no one cares about and my MacBook has no story to tell.

Moral of the story, don't worry about the keyboard, I'm a recovering perfectionist.

I am the exact same way. It was like reading about myself; and I’m a psychotherapist! Sounds odd but that describes it to a tee for me.

 

[samotivad]

In my case it's more about tactile experience than cleanliness / keeping it looking brand new. I think it's a shame that Apple don't make the texture of their keyboards last. If I'm typing on a computer for less than a year and it feels like the surface of the plastic has rubbed away, that's an issue for me and I'd prefer them to improve it. I know some people don't care but it doesn't mean that it shouldn't be improved if there is a solution.

I found two good work-arounds for what I need. There's a trackpad cover by Spigen called Airskin that I put on today and it has a nice feeling matt surface. I'm probably going to get the stickers that DMG35 mentioned too because that seems like a good solution for the texture issue I now have. Won't stop the dust getting under the keys but at least they'll feel good to type on.

 

[StrollerEd]

It's the 'wear' on the tracker board of my brand new space grey that I find most noticeable - that and the noisier sound of keyboard and tracker than I had on my mid-2015 MBP.

 

[oneMadRssn]

I'm particularly crazy about keyboard cleanliness. Scary, but to the point where I'll wash my hands raw trying to keep my keyboard clean thinking it's my oils, but in truth, I know that the keyboard shine is mostly created by usage/wear. As the keyboard gets used, the shine is created by literally rubbing the coating as we type. I've also noticed the same thing on the spacebar over the years. The same effect happens on the white magic keyboards, but it's not as noticeable under most lighting scenarios. I have a closet full of space gray magic keyboards that I've "retired" because of this strange obsession of mine.

I've always tried to keep my MacBook's in pristine showroom state, usually so I can sell them in great shape, but in truth because I have this strange obsession about the keyboard, probably. This is the first time I'm publicly admitting it, lol. I hooked my sister-in-law up with a 2018 mbp a few years ago and I recently saw it and it was destroyed (to me). The keys were disgusting, shiny, grimy etc. The screen was horrific and the aluminum housings were quite worn. After she left, I started analyzing myself and my tendencies to keep apple hardware in pristine shape. I realized something. Her MacBook has character, it's hers. She takes it out into the wilderness, backpacks it up mountain sides and does some pretty spectacular work on it. Meanwhile, I'm over here trying to make mine a museum piece no one cares about and my MacBook has no story to tell.

Moral of the story, don't worry about the keyboard, I'm a recovering perfectionist.

Love this anecdote.

I used to be similar, but not that extreme, about battery wear. I used to keep track of cycles and time my charge/discharge times to be as efficient as possible. Then I had an epiphany - how much of my short life am I wasting on this nonsense? It's actually a better quality of life to not think about that kind of stuff. These possessions, we can bring them with us to whatever's next. So just use them and enjoy them here, but don't sweat the unimportant stuff.

 

[samotivad]

A friendly reminder that there's nothing wrong with wanting to pay attention to any of this. Some people want to spend time on it, others don't. There's no reason for it to be suggested that anyone is wasting their time or life here.

 

[rawweb]

I always wished the keys were made of anodized aluminum with some texture. It seems like it would hold up a lot better than the plastic.

I am the exact same way. It was like reading about myself; and I’m a psychotherapist! Sounds odd but that describes it to a tee for me.

Glad to hear I'm not alone!!