what can i do about staining macbook?

[bill4588]

I've tried searching for threads about this, and either i SUCK at finding information or the search engine sucks (and I'm betting its the first one). Just a few days ago, my 6 weeks old white MacBook started to show signs of staining....grr. If there's a way to clean this off myself then great...but do you think there's any way I can exchange it out for a new one at the apple store? I've heard stories of people who have been able to swap it out no problem, but I've also heard stories about the apple store saying that you can't get a new machine because it still works fine and it's only a cosmetic, personal preference issue. I'd hate to drive over an hour just to get rejected, and I know calling them won't do anything because they probably have to see the issue and not just take my word for it. I would hope that I could get a new one because an apple notebook simply SHOULD NOT TURN ORANGE after a month and a half of use. Do you think I would get a new unit if I went out there or would they just laugh (don't want to waste the gas since it's $3 a gallon and a college student doesn't have much money)?

 

[generik]

It is a known issue, just call them and see what they say.

They'd probably arrange to take your MB back and swop the top panel with one that has the improved plastic formula

 

[TonySwartz]

Call your Apple Store and see if they have the top case there to switch for you.

 

[bill4588]

how long do you think that would take to replace? im going to Florida on vacation tonight (great timing huh?) and I would like to have my MB during the trip. I think I might wait until I get back to do this...as much as I hate looking at an orange MB

 

[extraextra]

It would take longer than a day, I'm sure. Take it to Florida and have it fixed when you return.

 

[Shadow]

I'm sure there was a solution to this...nail polish remover of somekind I think.

 

[ashley]

I'm sure there was a solution to this...nail polish remover of somekind I think.

... maybe, but it's probably a better idea to go with the permanent solution (waiting, then getting it repaired by Apple) than taking a risk with something that'll most like be temporary.

I vote for wait until you're back and then send it in to be fixed.

 

[xfiftyfour]

I'm sure there was a solution to this...nail polish remover of somekind I think.

from all that I read, there was/is no solution - which is why so many users were in an uproar - a cosmetic issue (originally, not fixed under warranty) that was in no way their fault, AND without any proven solution or "fix" for the problem.

I vote for waiting until you return from your trip, and then either calling applecare or taking it into a retail store, if you have one close by.

 

[generik]

I'm sure there was a solution to this...nail polish remover of somekind I think.

Nail polish would damage the plastic

 

[QCassidy352]

I'm sure there was a solution to this...nail polish remover of somekind I think.

No. That only works for the kind of staining that could occur on ibooks as well, i.e. you used it with dirty hands. For the yellow/brown macbook staining, nothing will stop remove the stains. It is a manufacturing defect that apple acknowledges. I took mine to an apple store, had them order the new top case, then brought the MB back when the part came in. They had it back for me in less than 2 days.

 

[Scarlet Fever]

i was talking to a friend who works at an Applecentre, and he said hes had a few people come in with stained MacBooks. He tells them he'll take the computer out the back to look at it. He just cleans the stains off, i think with just a damp cloth.

If you get a stained MacBook, try cleaning it off with various substances, and make sure your hands are relatively clean when using it. If it still stains, take it back and explain to them that you have taken very good care of it and it keeps on coming back.

 

[xfiftyfour]

i was talking to a friend who works at an Applecentre, and he said hes had a few people come in with stained MacBooks. He tells them he'll take the computer out the back to look at it. He just cleans the stains off, i think with just a damp cloth.

If you get a stained MacBook, try cleaning it off with various substances, and make sure your hands are relatively clean when using it. If it still stains, take it back and explain to them that you have taken very good care of it and it keeps on coming back.

erm..? nope. the stains we're talking about cannot be cleaned off, which is why apple has started replacing the plastic.

and i wouldn't suggest to anyone to just start trying "various substances" as they may cause more harm than good - especially when (1) no solution has been found for the problem, and (2) they can have apple take care of it for them, under warranty.

 

[shaolindave]

permanent fix-it-yourself (kinda)

... maybe, but it's probably a better idea to go with the permanent solution (waiting, then getting it repaired by Apple) than taking a risk with something that'll most like be temporary.

I vote for wait until you're back and then send it in to be fixed.

that would probably be the best thing, let apple take care of it. they've acknowledged the problem and they're really good about getting these kind of things fixed.

however, if for some reason all they do is clean it (if that's possible) or if they refuse to do anything (if some of you are overclockers or modders who've voided your warranty already), here's another idea...

first, make sure the macbook gets really clean. if they clean it for you, cool. or you could clean it yourself, try to find something that gets it back to the way it was. you might have to use nail polish remover like the previous poster said. bleach? who knows. whatever gets that thing really clean. them make sure you get rid of any residue. wipe it down with a damp rag, clean with a dry rag... repeat, repeat, make sure the surface has no residue on it.

after that, go to a hardware store of automotive part store, and pick up a can of clearcoat (in a spray paint can. acrylic is what you're looking for. one can is suppose to cover 25 square feet, so that should be more than enough. that's with very thin coats though. remember that several thin coats are better than a few thick ones.

the clearcoat should keep the pores closed preventing further staining.

 

[nickelbackmac]

Someone here posted a good solution before... i think it was windex or mr.clean magic eraser...

 

[Scarlet Fever]

erm..? nope. the stains we're talking about cannot be cleaned off, which is why apple has started replacing the plastic.

not to sound rude or anything, but the computers here are exactly the same as the computers in your part of the world. If they stain, it is presumably for the same reason.

When i said various substances, i meant to mention within reason. Cleaning your computer with strong acid to remove a stain would be stupid. My point was instead of complaining how something is dirty, try cleaning it yourself with some non-volatile chemicals, such as a slightly damp cloth. After you have cleaned it, do your best to make sure it doesnt happen again. One easy way to do this is to ensure that your hands and wrists are clean before using your computer. If it still doesnt fix the issue, take it back, and say that you have tried cleaning it, you have taken care of the machine, but the problem keeps on coming back.

The keyboard for my 2002 iMac keeps on getting dirty. Instead of complaining to Apple, i clean it reguarly, and make sure my hands are clean before using it.

I appologise if anyone gets offended by my posts. I dont come here to start arguments, but to help people enjoy their Apple computer.

 

[xfiftyfour]

not to sound rude or anything, but the computers here are exactly the same as the computers in your part of the world. If they stain, it is presumably for the same reason.

Yes, the computers are the same, but the stains may be different. Apparently, if you can clean off the stains you're speaking of, then they're not the same as the ones that others are speaking of, because (as it's been documented a hundred times over by angry users) there is no cleaning the notorious "macbook stains."

My point was instead of complaining how something is dirty, try cleaning it yourself with some non-volatile chemicals, such as a slightly damp cloth.

See above.

After you have cleaned it, do your best to make sure it doesnt happen again. One easy way to do this is to ensure that your hands and wrists are clean before using your computer.

Again, these "stains" are not user-inflicted - they're due to the type of plastic Apple used in earlier Macbooks. That is why Apple has bent their "no cosmetic issues" rule, and have begun replacing the Macbook plastic for users who have this problem. Having clean hands has nothing to do with it. While YES, dirty hands may cause a DIFFERENT stain on a white Macbook (common sense), these stains are not that.

The keyboard for my 2002 iMac keeps on getting dirty. Instead of complaining to Apple, i clean it reguarly, and make sure my hands are clean before using it.

See above.

I dont come here to start arguments, but to help people enjoy their Apple computer.

As do I - which is why I am going to correct you in your mindset that these Macbook stains are due to 'dirty users' and can be cleaned. I am also going to save the OP's time before he tries "various substances" that many others have already tried and negated.