Getting rid of "shiny keys" and preventing it?

bluesTank · Dec 8, 2008

Hey everyone,

It has only been about 3 weeks since I got my new alum macbook, and they keys are already all shiny and disgusting looking. It is not like I have greasy hands or anything, and I have been regularly wiping them off.

I used the microfiber cloth that came with the macbook, but no matter how much I rub it on the keys, they wont clean. Does anyone know why it does this, and have a suggestion for cleaning them? I don't want to buy any kind of special macbook cleaning products because honestly I think that is pure BS.

thanks

nope7308 · Dec 8, 2008

Admit it, we all have greasy fingers...

But yes, I admit that this annoys me as well. I'm not completely pissed because I expected this from previous MB owners - I'm just thankful the keyboard isn't white! From what I've heard, a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is good for cleaning discoloured white keys... I imagine it would be equally as good on black keys.

silverblack · Dec 8, 2008

I use the wet naps/wipes that you can buy from Walmart or supermarket. They have a little bit of soap to help wipe down the grease (on both your fingers and keyboard), but not so much to leave any residue.

mosx · Dec 8, 2008

Unfortunately you can't prevent it in the long run.

Half the reason the keys get "shiny" is because the plastic itself starts to wear out and discolor.

Avizzv92 · Dec 8, 2008

I always figured the keys got shiny from A: Greasy fingers and B: The same reason pebbles in water get smooth after awhile, Figured the constant touching of the keys smoothed out the plastic and gave it a shine kinda like a very fine sand paper...

You should see the keyboards at my school, now those are disgusting

Luckly my computer teacher has hand sanitizer...

thanachai · Dec 8, 2008

I'm also in the same disappointing boat as you guys. I wash my hands ritually before using my macbook. Hopefully the glass track pad won't do this. Was at a coffee shop today and noticed the bright glare from a worn down blackbook track pad

Do you think Apple should just make them shiny from the start? I switched over from PC and my Vaio had factory shiny keys. I'm sure it got "shinier" over time but at least it gave the illusion that I wasn't wearing it down as fast as this.

amrk47 · Dec 8, 2008

i wipe my keyboard every day with some monster i clean
thats the only way to prevent it

nope7308 · Dec 8, 2008

thanachai said:
I'm also in the same disappointing boat as you guys. I wash my hands ritually before using my macbook. Hopefully the glass track pad won't do this. Was at a coffee shop today and noticed the bright glare from a worn down blackbook track pad Do you think Apple should just make them shiny from the start? I switched over from PC and my Vaio had factory shiny keys. I'm sure it got "shinier" over time but at least it gave the illusion that I wasn't wearing it down as fast as this.

Don't worry, the shine gives the MB some character

In the end, I rather have a shiny functional MB, then one that doesn't work at all. Take some consolation in that.

paolo- · Dec 8, 2008

I use the same stuff I use to wash my screen and the whole laptop. Some kind of weak surface/glass cleaner. I'm pretty sure that the trackpad won't get shiny as it's made out of ruffed out glass. And glass is much harder than our fingers

. Mind you, the keys will probably get shiny at some point.

rkrskr · Dec 8, 2008

You could consider using iKlear. I use it on my Macbook aluminum once a week and the keyboard looks quite pristine thus far. I'm a bit OCD, though, as I use a LED torch to visually inspect the keys. Its just funny how Apple makes us get all obsessed over their products, right?

Jeweller · Dec 9, 2008

To prevent the inevitable shiny key syndrome, I'd suggest this. Fits like a glove, adds grip to the keys, keeps dust, crumbs, etc from getting between them, and has kept my blackbook's keys in pristine condition (great for the future resale value of the machine). Also, it barely touches the screen so it doesn't have to be removed every time you close it. Cheaper and thinner than the iSkin version, which I tried and found incredibly difficult to type on. Pretty sure it will fit the new macbook since, as far as I know, the keyboards are identical.

VSMacOne · Dec 9, 2008

Jeweller said:
To prevent the inevitable shiny key syndrome, I'd suggest this. Fits like a glove, adds grip to the keys, keeps dust, crumbs, etc from getting between them, and has kept my blackbook's keys in pristine condition (great for the future resale value of the machine). Also, it barely touches the screen so it doesn't have to be removed every time you close it. Cheaper and thinner than the iSkin version, which I tried and found incredibly difficult to type on. Pretty sure it will fit the new macbook since, as far as I know, the keyboards are identical.

Does it lay flat on the keys? I might consider something cheap like that as long as it sits well on the keys and doesn't move around easily...

Jeweller · Dec 9, 2008

VSMacOne said:
Does it lay flat on the keys? I might consider something cheap like that as long as it sits well on the keys and doesn't move around easily...

By flat I'm assuming you mean is there space between the keys and the cover? Yeah, there's a bit of detectible space there, in places, but by no means enough to impair one's ability to type (there's definitely a different feel typing with it, though, and it takes getting used to). Thing is, the cover itself is so thin it sort of conforms to the keyboard, if that makes sense. And it does not shift around at all when typing. Really easy to clean, too. Wow, starting to sound like a pitchman for this thing so I'll stop.

Resist · Oct 16, 2010

I know this is an old thread but worth bringing up again. I just purchased a new 13" Macbook Pro a week ago and the spacebar key already has a shiny spot from my right thumb. Seems more like a wear mark than a grease mark. This happened to me before on a $300 Compaq laptop. Didn't expect it to happen on an expensive Macbook Pro, at least not so soon!

marshallbedsaul · Oct 17, 2010

if your really motivated sand down the keys lol really fine sand paper j.k
Just deal with the problem, its a thing that you can not really change.

rdowns · Oct 17, 2010

I use latex gloves when I use my MacBook. I know that may sound a bit OCD but I've never caught a virus.

Apple OC · Oct 17, 2010

the only sure way to prevent shiny keys is with a keyboard cover

barkmonster · Oct 17, 2010

rdowns said:
I use latex gloves when I use my MacBook. I know that may sound a bit OCD but I've never caught a virus.

Randomest, funniest quote of the day!

marshallbedsaul · Oct 17, 2010

barkmonster said:
Randomest, funniest quote of the day!

i had to read this twice but was super awesome indeed

Getting rid of "shiny keys" and preventing it?

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