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View Full Version : What do u guys use to clean Powerbooks?




AJ Muni
Sep 14, 2005, 04:53 PM
What do u guys use to clean Powerbooks? Im scared to use a paper towel, cuz im scared itll ruin by beautiful surface on my powerbook?? any suggestions??? :confused: :confused:



Ashapalan
Sep 14, 2005, 05:14 PM
a duster?

jamesW135
Sep 14, 2005, 05:17 PM
Dust off.

barneygumble
Sep 14, 2005, 05:20 PM
H2SO4 ;)

miseldine
Sep 14, 2005, 05:22 PM
I use iKlear, which is what the Apple tech support people use.

Its the only product I've used that cleans and doesn't leave any residue, including on the screen.

homerjward
Sep 14, 2005, 05:32 PM
H2SO4 ;)
is that what i think it is?
edit: yes

Bern
Sep 14, 2005, 05:37 PM
iKlear - it really is a very good product.

tekmoe
Sep 14, 2005, 05:39 PM
i use iKlear with a microfiber cloth, such as what an expensive pair of sunglasses are stored inside of.

jim.
Sep 14, 2005, 05:41 PM
70% Ethanol and Kimwipes. Works well. I think iKlear is just dilute isoproyl alcohol (as most smooth surface cleaners are), so I don't think I'm too far off.

Jim

bodeh6
Sep 14, 2005, 05:46 PM
I use Clean Dr. from my local office supply store. It is alcohol and ammonia free and comes with a microfiber cloth. Works great on my iBook.

This is how I use it.
1. Have the iBook be cool (ie not running for a while/after a while in sleep mode)
2. I spray cleaner on the microfiber cloth and clean the top. Flip cloth to dry side and dry.
3. Spray cleaner on microfiber cloth and open iBook and clean screen then dry.
4. Clean keyboard/trackpad area with wet/damp side and dry.

Thats it. Do it like 2-3 times per week and keeps iBook in excellent condition

Jay42
Sep 14, 2005, 05:53 PM
not another one of these (http://forums.macrumors.com/search.php?searchid=1971597) :rolleyes:

drake
Sep 14, 2005, 09:58 PM
Have u tried putting it in the dishwasher? :D

thecow
Sep 14, 2005, 10:14 PM
I just use a 50% concentration isopropanol solution and a paper towel. Its cheap and it works. I've used it on the screen a few times, but that probably isn't a very good idea. Just plain water will work on the screen if you dry it off. Unless you like to throw a few metal shavings and sand into your paper towels, they should be fine to use on your powerbook. There is no way that paper could scratch aluminum/titamium.

AJ Muni
Sep 14, 2005, 10:22 PM
Have u tried putting it in the dishwasher? :D
yea i have but my mom got confused and served food on it and gave it to my dad, but i got it just in time b4 he starting cutting his steak...

Deepdale
Sep 14, 2005, 10:31 PM
Have u tried putting it in the dishwasher? :D

As soon as that is concluded, don't forget the listing on eBay with the following subject line:

PowerBook for sale -- Clean machine ... sparkling OS!

That should satisfy the truth-in-advertising laws. :)

blackpeter
Sep 14, 2005, 10:36 PM
70% Ethanol and Kimwipes. Works well. I think iKlear is just dilute isoproyl alcohol (as most smooth surface cleaners are), so I don't think I'm too far off.

Jim

Actually, no. One of the selling points of iKlear is that it's completely alcohol free. In other words, it won't take the anti-glare coating off your LCD (as anything alcohol based would do).

iKnear all the way. Get the $20 bottle, which comes with a micro-fiber cloth. It'll last you a year with bi-monthly cleanings.

Cloudgazer
Sep 15, 2005, 04:55 AM
So is iKlear the same as Monster's iClean?

I've been reluctant to use a screen cleaner on the rest of my pbook.

Would it be ok to use iClean?
Some iclarification would be great.

Abstract
Sep 15, 2005, 05:33 AM
Spit, and the bottom of my t-shirt.

Still looks sexy.

inlimbo
Sep 15, 2005, 05:51 AM
So is iKlear the same as Monster's iClean?

I've been reluctant to use a screen cleaner on the rest of my pbook.

Would it be ok to use iClean?
Some iclarification would be great.

I thought iKlear and iClean was made by the same company - but maybe Im wrong. I just bought I pack from iKlear and im very very impressed with it. I use it on the screen, keyboard and case. I recommend it. Makes my PB look like new.

Edit: This is what I bought iKlear Apple Polishing Kit (http://www.softconnect.com.au/osCommerce/product_info.php?cPath=21_59&products_id=142&osCsid=2c462d03653ad8635ac6d60bcfde18cb) I probably wouln't recommend buying the same because the bottle is damn huge. It is going to last me years - 700 applications apparently :eek: So unless u have a number of screens to clean buy a smaller bottle

Cloudgazer
Sep 15, 2005, 06:21 AM
I thought iKlear and iClean was made by the same company - but maybe Im wrong. I just bought I pack from iKlear and im very very impressed with it. I use it on the screen, keyboard and case. I recommend it. Makes my PB look like new.


iClean and iKlear are not the same product.
I also never realised there was a difference, hence my question.

My bottle of iClean is also huge, gonna last me a lifetime, unless i start a laptop cleaning business

jim.
Sep 15, 2005, 02:00 PM
Actually, no. One of the selling points of iKlear is that it's completely alcohol free. In other words, it won't take the anti-glare coating off your LCD (as anything alcohol based would do).

iKnear all the way. Get the $20 bottle, which comes with a micro-fiber cloth. It'll last you a year with bi-monthly cleanings.
Ah yes, I didn't think about the copolymer on the screen. I was just referring to what I used to clean splotches off the aluminum body. I am hesitant to think that a low dilution of alcohol would take out a polymer quickly. Most polymers require a very concentrated (or even pure) alcohol for clean dissolution, and even then it takes more time than one typically spends wiping a screen.

So yeah, alcohols can be bad for the screen. Definitely stay away from detergents and basic cleaning supplies (ammonia will etch that plastic like it is nothing).

I wonder what solvent iKlear would use? Their MSDS is less than informative.
Maybe it is a dilute weak acid. Do you have to wipe it off after you put it on? Since it has no alcohol in the base solution, I would guess that it would evaporate slowly.

Jim

japasneezemonk
Sep 15, 2005, 02:42 PM
Ah yes, I didn't think about the copolymer on the screen. I was just referring to what I used to clean splotches off the aluminum body. I am hesitant to think that a low dilution of alcohol would take out a polymer quickly. Most polymers require a very concentrated (or even pure) alcohol for clean dissolution, and even then it takes more time than one typically spends wiping a screen.

So yeah, alcohols can be bad for the screen. Definitely stay away from detergents and basic cleaning supplies (ammonia will etch that plastic like it is nothing).

I wonder what solvent iKlear would use? Their MSDS is less than informative.
Maybe it is a dilute weak acid. Do you have to wipe it off after you put it on? Since it has no alcohol in the base solution, I would guess that it would evaporate slowly.

Jim

IMO, I doubt IKlear would use a weak acid, my guess is a base with a pH9+.

Gwendolyn
Sep 15, 2005, 02:56 PM
So is iKlear the same as Monster's iClean?

I've been reluctant to use a screen cleaner on the rest of my pbook.

Would it be ok to use iClean?
Some iclarification would be great.

When I asked at the Apple store what I should use to clean my PB screen, the guy gave me iClean and told me I could/should use it on the entire PB. I think he even said that's what they were using at the Genius bar. I have been using it, and it seems to work just fine and hasn't caused any problems. It seems to do a pretty nice job getting the smudges off the aluminum, and the cat hair off the screen :P

wPod
Sep 15, 2005, 03:58 PM
an extra fine brillo pad, gives it the fresh from the factory brushed look!!

but seriously, i use a damp paper towel or some diluted simple green and water on the papwer towel. then promptly dry it off. works pretty well!

Demon Hunter
Sep 15, 2005, 04:20 PM
an extra fine brillo pad, gives it the fresh from the factory brushed look!!

but seriously, i use a damp paper towel or some diluted simple green and water on the papwer towel. then promptly dry it off. works pretty well!

"The horror, the horror."

If you use diluted Simple Green you're far braver than I. Something about my laptop smelling like a cleaned toilet bowl just seems wrong.

I guess some people use paper towels. You might as well use a tissue or something. A good microfiber cloth is dust-free, can be washed, lasts a long time, and is about $20. It also does a much better job than a paper towel without damaging the surface. And if you use paper towels on the screen, well, there is just no hope for you. :eek:

They have a very good product here (http://www.radtech.us/Products/NotebookScreensavRz.aspx) that puts even the iKlear microfiber cloth to shame, and protects your keyboard when not in use... I have two of em.

dubbz
Sep 15, 2005, 04:31 PM
Sandpaper seems to take away the worst spots.

MovieCutter
Sep 15, 2005, 05:46 PM
Another vote for iKlear...

chaos86
Sep 15, 2005, 06:11 PM
alcohol on a lint free pad on the body of my pb.

compressed air + violent beatings for anyone who tries to touch it for the screen.

galstaph
Sep 15, 2005, 09:49 PM
Mr Clean magic eraser might work :D ...

kasei
Sep 15, 2005, 10:26 PM
I have been using iKlear for over a year on my PowerBook and it works well. I don't like the wet towels though. They leave streaks on the screen. I just bought a small bottle of iClean it is work quite well on the LCD. It sprays in a fine mist so you don't have to worry about the excess dripping into the cracks of your screen. I also use it on my TV screen. iKlear or iClean should do the job.