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2011 MBP Coating Wearing Off

yusukeaoki

yusukeaoki

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Mar 22, 2011
2,550
6
Tokyo, Japan
Hi guys.

Im pretty sure most of you guys know this problem.
Some people have it, some don't.
But my MBP's coating is wearing off.

How is your guys MBP doing? Is the coating perfectly fine?
I try to use my Magic Mouse as much as possible, but I don't carry that where ever I go.

I know this is a wear and tear so Im guessing for sure that AppleCare doesnt cover this.
(Or get it replaced for free)
However, I've seen people say they got it replaced for free or Apple covers this.
If anyone knows the answer, please let me know!

Heres some pics of it... (click to enlarge)

The clear thing in the front is Specks MBP case.
 

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Last edited:
Your MBP does not have any paint on it that can wear off, it's made out of aluminum and anodized.
 
As Jaimi said, there's no paint.

Try rubbing the surface with rubbing alchohol, and cleaning it with a nice cloth.
 
wiznet said:
As Jaimi said, there's no paint.

Try rubbing the surface with rubbing alchohol, and cleaning it with a nice cloth.
Click to expand...

Oh no, its not dirt or anything, in the beginning I already tried that.

Its is wearing off for sure and its getting worse.
If I run my nail through the edge, my nail gets stuck.
Its like rubbing your nail against a sand paper.
 
yusukeaoki said:
Hi guys.

Im pretty sure most of you guys know this problem.
Some people have it, some don't.
But my MBP's paint is wearing off.

How is your guys MBP doing? Is the paint perfectly fine?
I try to use my Magic Mouse as much as possible, but I don't carry that where ever I go.

I know this is a wear and tear so Im guessing for sure that AppleCare doesnt cover this.
(Or get it replaced for free)
However, I've seen people say they got it replaced for free or Apple covers this.
If anyone knows the answer, please let me know!

Heres some pics of it... (click to enlarge)

The clear thing in the front is Specks MBP case.
Click to expand...

My Apple wired keyboard has similar pitting on it. It's caused by oil and sweat from your hands. I've had similar issues with numerous devices. I've been using an mStand, an external keyboard, and a magic trackpad with my newest mbp whenever I'm home and haven't noticed any pitting yet. You could also try using palm rest covers or wiping down the palm rest area after using your machine. Really though, it's not that big of a deal unless you're planning on selling it.
 
yusukeaoki said:
Oh no, its not dirt or anything, in the beginning I already tried that.

Its is wearing off for sure and its getting worse.
If I run my nail through the edge, my nail gets stuck.
Its like rubbing your nail against a sand paper.
Click to expand...

Yeah, something has eaten through the anodized coating. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can really do about it, besides buy a palm guard (they make them in aluminum color), or a clear plastic shield or something. I suppose if it really bothered you, you could take it to one of those places that puts a pearl coat on it, but I wouldn't bother. (http://www.colorware.com for example)

edit: After looking at their site, I'm not sure colorware will still paint an MBP that they didn't sell. I know they used to...
 
duckrabbit said:
My Apple wired keyboard has similar pitting on it. It's caused by oil and sweat from your hands. I've had similar issues with numerous devices. I've been using an mStand, an external keyboard, and a magic trackpad with my newest mbp whenever I'm home and haven't noticed any pitting yet. You could also try using palm rest covers or wiping down the palm rest area after using your machine. Really though, it's not that big of a deal unless you're planning on selling it.
Click to expand...

The question is does Apple cover this with AppleCare or free repair?
It kind of bothers me...
 
You can try, but research on the web shows that they normally do not, as it's just a cosmetic issue.
 
take it to a car detailing shop

they will know what to do to polish it back to original state or at least clean it up :) all the best. ^_^
 
vpro said:
they will know what to do to polish it back to original state or at least clean it up :) all the best. ^_^
Click to expand...

Again, its not dirt or residue.
Its the coating of the body thats coming off so they either have to replace the body or something else.
 
yusukeaoki said:
Again, its not dirt or residue.
Its the coating of the body thats coming off so they either have to replace the body or something else.
Click to expand...

Clean it up doesn't mean that it is dirty, it is just a process to strip away the degraded layer, to re-polish and bring up the layers underneath for the new and refreshed look. That's all. In the capable hands of car detailing guys they will find a good solution. My 2006 17"MBP is doing that and I just got a light sanding paper and polish grade paper too and it is fine looking.

If it bothers you, you can also get those sticker skins for it??? As long as the internals are still fine, cosmetic is nothing as long as its not dents and warping right?
 
vpro said:
Clean it up doesn't mean that it is dirty, it is just a process to strip away the degraded layer, to re-polish and bring up the layers underneath for the new and refreshed look. That's all. In the capable hands of car detailing guys they will find a good solution. My 2006 17"MBP is doing that and I just got a light sanding paper and polish grade paper too and it is fine looking.

If it bothers you, you can also get those sticker skins for it??? As long as the internals are still fine, cosmetic is nothing as long as its not dents and warping right?
Click to expand...

They can do that?
It feels like if they sand paper it down, more black spots might show...
But it may work. Dont know much about MBP bodies so cant say much.

Yeah I was thinking to get some palm guard stickers.
That might help.


I just remembered this also happened to my PBG4 12in back in the days.
So old I totally forgot about it.
 
could be something in your environment

could be in the air, oxidation or what ever. your oils can also be acidic as well. could be just that your mbp wasn't from the best possible batch in the assembly line, someone fell asleep on the job or over worked and didn't polish it or something enough for it.

so ya, try calling car detailers and people really familiar with working with aluminum especially refreshing it, polishing it etc.

all the best!!!
 
It is not painted but it can be damaged though.

Here is a screenshot of 'Damage' under the spacebar after I cleaned it with a cotton bud. (PB G4)
 

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woah

justperry said:
It is not painted but it can be damaged though.

Here is a screenshot of 'Damage' under the spacebar after I cleaned it with a cotton bud. (PB G4)
Click to expand...

same part where it started for me too !! ^_^
 
I don't think sanding/polishing off the rest of the anodized coating is a good idea... Look at the corrosion you already see - do you want your entire mbp to look like that?
 
yusukeaoki said:
Oh no, its not dirt or anything, in the beginning I already tried that.

Its is wearing off for sure and its getting worse.
If I run my nail through the edge, my nail gets stuck.
Its like rubbing your nail against a sand paper.
Click to expand...
The finish is pitting, it's not paint but hard anodization, a completely different process.

You have very acidic sweat, you're causing the pitting by laying your wrists against the computer.
 
Thank you all for the replies!
As of now Im thinking to call Apple and see what they say.

But I dont really want to do it since that means I have to remove my optibay...
 
I would like to remind you that, with use, things wear out. While my 4 year old MBP is in great condition for its age, there are scratches, dings, wear, etc.
 
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