iBook and the black "hand" marks on the handrests...

MUCKYFINGERS · Nov 11, 2005, 12:01 AM

You know what I'm talking about, iBook owners? The black marks from your hands that stain the white handrest area of the iBooks? How do you manage to clean that? Or do you just accept it and move on with life?

mad jew · Nov 11, 2005, 12:59 AM

I always wash my hands before using either Mac (I am fully aware of just how sad that is) but I'd give something like Windex a go. Spray some onto a cloth and start scrubbing.

buddhagoth · Nov 11, 2005, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MUCKYFINGERS

You know what I'm talking about, iBook owners? The black marks from your hands that stain the white handrest area of the iBooks? How do you manage to clean that? Or do you just accept it and move on with life?

Besides the good advice about washing hands, which isn't always possible for me witha laptop on the go, I've always had success with using the commercial product "Goo Gone". It's fairly gentle and seems to work harder the longer it stays on. I used it on my old clamshell iBook's surfaces with no ill effects and have used it on several kinds of white and off-white polycarbonate with no problems.

Cordially,
B.G.

vga4life · Nov 11, 2005, 01:27 AM

"Mr. Clean Magic Eraser" sponges are great for this - just don't rub too hard if you have a painted palmrest like on the iBook G3. I believe iBook G4 palmrests are solid white plastic, not painted.

QCassidy352 · Nov 11, 2005, 01:40 AM

I've heard apple employees use iklear. I've tried a slightly damp and soapy cloth, but some soap got in the space around the track pad and it was a real pain for a while, so I wouldn't recommend that!

gregorydanger · Nov 11, 2005, 04:13 AM

I second the "Mr. Clean Magic Erasers." When I had an iBook, I used them and they worked wonderfully.

YS2003 · Nov 11, 2005, 07:09 AM

I just put on Palm screen protector films on my iBook's palm rest areas. It is transparent and give good protection from bio hazard human hands may discharge.

MUCKYFINGERS · Nov 11, 2005, 02:59 PM

thanks for the advice, guys!

newmaccanada · Nov 11, 2005, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregorydanger

I second the "Mr. Clean Magic Erasers." When I had an iBook, I used them and they worked wonderfully.

I'll third this -- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works like a charm. One quick skim with a barely damp eraser and the handrest mark disappears. I a careful to keep my hands clean, but I still get this handrest mark.

EricNau · Nov 11, 2005, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newmaccanada

I'll third this -- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works like a charm. One quick skim with a barely damp eraser and the handrest mark disappears. I a careful to keep my hands clean, but I still get this handrest mark.

I fourth this. (can I do that?)
Really, as soon as I saw the thread title I thought of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, but others beat me to it.
Those erasers have cleaned things in my house that powerful (and dangerous) chemicals/cleaners haven't been able to get rid of. (like the gunk on my stainless steel hood above my stove, that stuff had been there for 20 years before Mr. Clean came along)

diehldun · Nov 12, 2005, 01:01 PM

iKlear should do trick.

jadekitty24 · Nov 12, 2005, 08:16 PM

I'm going to fifth the Magic Eraser, if I can. My clumsy self managed to get permanent marker on my iBook and this took care of it like a champ. Just go easy on it, as it may take paint off if yours is painted. This, in my opinion, will work wonders and is a great alternative to chemicals, which I am wary on using an ANY computer, let alone my precious Mac. (Even though certain chemical products may be well tested and deemed as safe, I am still wary of using any chemical on my computer)

GimmeSlack12 · Nov 12, 2005, 09:02 PM

I say just deal with it.

At least it doesn't bother me one bit. I do highly recommend an iSkin though (keyboard protector). I just figure if it doesn't degrade the computers performance then I can deal with it. Not to mention it adds character.

lilstewart · Nov 12, 2005, 10:38 PM

Whatever you do DO NOT USE GOO GONE OR GOO OFF. I used that today. Made the surface extremely white - it was melting the iBooks casing. And, it makes it rough. I learned this the hard way. DO NOT USE THAT WAY.

I used fingernail remover on my old iPod. totally ƒüçkéd it up. But, I sold it to my bro for 200 bucks and i bought the iPod I have in my sig.

That made it rough and bad looking.

stevep · Nov 13, 2005, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilstewart92

I used fingernail remover on my old iPod.

Good God !

!!

Didn't know such a product was even available. Most people use pliers where I come from.....

TaKashMoney · Nov 14, 2005, 12:24 AM

Is it safe to use anything (even magic erasers) to clean touchpads?

devilot · Nov 14, 2005, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diehldun

iKlear should do trick.

It doesn't for me... think I'll have to give Mr. Clean a go... And lilstewart92 do you mean nail polish remover?

That stuff is very abrasive; I'm surprised it didn't cause even more damage (well, can't really say w/out seeing pictures).

TaKashMoney · Nov 14, 2005, 02:15 AM

But wow, magic erasers.. makes it like brand new.... Highly recommended. great advice!!

QCassidy352 · Nov 17, 2005, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaKashMoney

But wow, magic erasers.. makes it like brand new.... Highly recommended. great advice!!

Ok, yeah, wow. Many thanks to all those recommending the magic erasers. My ibook now sparkles again. It even took off a bit of pen that was on the upper edge around the screen, no problem. Truly amazing. Thanks all!

ITASOR · Nov 17, 2005, 03:53 PM

ITASOR <3's Mr. Clean's Magic Erasers.

They were on sale the other day at Walmart, btw, so I stocked up! Great stuff!

California · Nov 25, 2005, 03:40 PM

Didn't believe all you guys about the magic erasers. But just got a couple of month old ibook with slightly dirty palmrests. Water and microfiber cloth didn't clean it.

So i remembered I had one of those magic erasers somewhere.

Oh thank you Lord! My ibook palmrest is SPOTLESS. Unreal.

Now, anyone know if the G4 iBook palmrests are painted or are they just treated plastic? I have a feeling they are just plastic?

EricNau · Nov 25, 2005, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by California

Didn't believe all you guys about the magic erasers. But just got a couple of month old ibook with slightly dirty palmrests. Water and microfiber cloth didn't clean it.

So i remembered I had one of those magic erasers somewhere.

Oh thank you Lord! My ibook palmrest is SPOTLESS. Unreal.

Told ya!

lpshean · May 4, 2006, 09:03 PM

I cant seem to find Magic Erasers in the UK! (or at least ive tried on ebay and cant find em.

)

I tried a normal white eraser and it worked to some extent but you can still see that it's slightly dirty.

Anyone from the UK have any idea?

baby duck monge · May 4, 2006, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpshean

I cant seem to find Magic Erasers in the UK! (or at least ive tried on ebay and cant find em.

)

Have you tried the grocery store or Safeway or any place like that? They sell them at Target and the grocery and places like that over here, so if they exist across the pond you should be able to find them pretty easily.

Also, did anyone else find the OP's username amusing considering the topic?

lpshean · May 4, 2006, 10:09 PM

Well there was a Safeway back where i live but its closed already.

I havent checked out other big retail shops tho.

Nov 11, 2005, 12:01 AM	#1
MUCKYFINGERS macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2005	iBook and the black "hand" marks on the handrests... You know what I'm talking about, iBook owners? The black marks from your hands that stain the white handrest area of the iBooks? How do you manage to clean that? Or do you just accept it and move on with life? __________________ An old iBook G4.

Nov 11, 2005, 12:59 AM	#2
mad jew Demi-God (Moderator emeritus) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Adelaide, Australia	I always wash my hands before using either Mac (I am fully aware of just how sad that is) but I'd give something like Windex a go. Spray some onto a cloth and start scrubbing. __________________ Some things are better mad...

Nov 11, 2005, 01:40 AM	#5
QCassidy352 Contributor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Boston, MA	I've heard apple employees use iklear. I've tried a slightly damp and soapy cloth, but some soap got in the space around the track pad and it was a real pain for a while, so I wouldn't recommend that! __________________ "If Jesus Himself came back to earth and turned water to wine, half of MacRumors would say 'meh, this is red. I wanted white.'"

Nov 11, 2005, 04:13 AM	#6
gregorydanger macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Michigan	I second the "Mr. Clean Magic Erasers." When I had an iBook, I used them and they worked wonderfully. __________________ 17" iMac G5, 1.8ghz, 1GB, OS X 10.4.2

Nov 11, 2005, 07:09 AM	#7
YS2003 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Finally I have arrived.....	I just put on Palm screen protector films on my iBook's palm rest areas. It is transparent and give good protection from bio hazard human hands may discharge. __________________ YS2003 PB, MBP, Cinema Displays, Cars, Condo, Fountain Pens... every year, my toys are ever more expensive... well, time to get on with the rat race!

Nov 11, 2005, 01:27 AM	#4
vga4life macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2004	"Mr. Clean Magic Eraser" sponges are great for this - just don't rub too hard if you have a painted palmrest like on the iBook G3. I believe iBook G4 palmrests are solid white plastic, not painted.

Nov 11, 2005, 02:59 PM	#8
MUCKYFINGERS Thread Starter macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2005	thanks for the advice, guys! __________________ An old iBook G4.

Nov 12, 2005, 01:01 PM	#11
diehldun macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2003	iKlear should do trick.

Nov 12, 2005, 08:16 PM	#12
jadekitty24 macrumors Demi-Goddess Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The poor section of Connecticut	I'm going to fifth the Magic Eraser, if I can. My clumsy self managed to get permanent marker on my iBook and this took care of it like a champ. Just go easy on it, as it may take paint off if yours is painted. This, in my opinion, will work wonders and is a great alternative to chemicals, which I am wary on using an ANY computer, let alone my precious Mac. (Even though certain chemical products may be well tested and deemed as safe, I am still wary of using any chemical on my computer) __________________ ...sneakin' up like celery, yeah I'm stalkin'...

Nov 12, 2005, 09:02 PM	#13
GimmeSlack12 macrumors 68040 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Francisco	I say just deal with it. At least it doesn't bother me one bit. I do highly recommend an iSkin though (keyboard protector). I just figure if it doesn't degrade the computers performance then I can deal with it. Not to mention it adds character. __________________ iMac 24" [Al] iBook 12" G4 iPhone 3GS iPod Classic

Nov 12, 2005, 10:38 PM	#14
lilstewart macrumors 68040 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Illinois	Whatever you do DO NOT USE GOO GONE OR GOO OFF. I used that today. Made the surface extremely white - it was melting the iBooks casing. And, it makes it rough. I learned this the hard way. DO NOT USE THAT WAY. I used fingernail remover on my old iPod. totally ƒüçkéd it up. But, I sold it to my bro for 200 bucks and i bought the iPod I have in my sig. That made it rough and bad looking. __________________ macbookpro 17" unibody antiglare Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart? St. Gerard Majella

Nov 14, 2005, 12:24 AM	#16
TaKashMoney macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2005	Is it safe to use anything (even magic erasers) to clean touchpads?

Nov 14, 2005, 02:15 AM	#18
TaKashMoney macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2005	But wow, magic erasers.. makes it like brand new.... Highly recommended. great advice!!

Nov 17, 2005, 03:53 PM	#20
ITASOR macrumors 68040 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Oneida, NY	ITASOR <3's Mr. Clean's Magic Erasers. They were on sale the other day at Walmart, btw, so I stocked up! Great stuff! __________________ Alumium MacBook 2.0Ghz C2D \| 2GB RAM \| 320GB HD \| Snow Leopard

Nov 25, 2005, 03:40 PM	#21
California macrumors 68030 Join Date: Aug 2004	Didn't believe all you guys about the magic erasers. But just got a couple of month old ibook with slightly dirty palmrests. Water and microfiber cloth didn't clean it. So i remembered I had one of those magic erasers somewhere. Oh thank you Lord! My ibook palmrest is SPOTLESS. Unreal. Now, anyone know if the G4 iBook palmrests are painted or are they just treated plastic? I have a feeling they are just plastic? __________________ MacMini 2.26ghz 500gb/4gb/12" PowerBook G4 1.5ghz 320gb/1gb 1st gen Shuffle/iPod 4th gen 20g/iPhone 8gb/30" ACD

May 4, 2006, 09:03 PM	#23
lpshean macrumors regular Join Date: May 2005	I cant seem to find Magic Erasers in the UK! (or at least ive tried on ebay and cant find em. ) I tried a normal white eraser and it worked to some extent but you can still see that it's slightly dirty. Anyone from the UK have any idea?

May 4, 2006, 10:09 PM	#25
lpshean macrumors regular Join Date: May 2005	Well there was a Safeway back where i live but its closed already. I havent checked out other big retail shops tho.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode