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Aluminum Macbook Paint Chipping Off (Discoloration)

B

brianchop7

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 8, 2010
18
0
I bought my Macbook in 2009 i believe and slowly throughout the months i noticed (aluminum?) chipping away near the trackpad on the lower right hand side edge. I thought it must've been something i did by accident that had caused that damage but then more started (chipping off?) and i realized that there must be an issue with the Macbook. So now i'm here in mid 2011 thinking if its possible to bring it back to the store and fix or replace it? Does it count as a manufacturing defect or would i still need to have a warranty/coverage plan on it in order to replace or fix it?
Pictures:
http://i.imgur.com/1Zxw6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/sGYXk.jpg
 
Last edited:
I have the same computer, but I don't have that issue. It's not painted, so that's not the problem. It looks like the metal is indented.
 
alust2013 said:
I have the same computer, but I don't have that issue. It's not painted, so that's not the problem. It looks like the metal is indented.
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But there's nothing i've done for it to be like that. I guess it sorta happened on its own.
 
where did you get the aluminum macbook? i thought all macbooks are white except for pro :/
 
This is a well-documented problem with Apple's powder-coated (painted) aluminum. It's chipped off on the Aluminum MB and MBPs for a while now, especially on the sharp edges.

It doesn't chip off unless the area is handed heavily. You must open and close your screen a lot.
 
miles01110 said:
This is a well-documented problem with Apple's powder-coated (painted) aluminum. It's chipped off on the Aluminum MB and MBPs for a while now, especially on the sharp edges.

It doesn't chip off unless the area is handed heavily. You must open and close your screen a lot.
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Well i do rest my hand on that edge a lot while using the computer, but for the price i paid for it i expected it to be well built inside and out.
 
brianchop7 said:
Well i do rest my hand on that edge a lot while using the computer, but for the price i paid for it i expected it to be well built inside and out.
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It is. The MacBook isn't powder-coated, it's anodized. The oils of your skin and sweat are reacting with the aluminum and causing it to erode and pit. This happens with some people, and not with others, it's a random body chemistry thing. This has been happening with all of Apple's aluminum laptops, I've seen some PowerBook G4s with the same issue (though they have plastic around the edge, so it's all on the palmrest area instead). So it's not a build-quality issue, as the aluminum in the MacBook is reacting as all aluminum does, and there's nothing Apple can do about that.

There's not a lot you can do, some people have been able to get Apple to replace it, apparently. It's unfortunate, but the way of things.

This thread talks about this as well.

Also, as a side note, if your camera has a macro mode, you'll be able to make significantly better pictures, as macro will allow it to focus at that close of a distance.
 
iThinkergoiMac said:
It is. The MacBook isn't powder-coated, it's anodized. The oils of your skin and sweat are reacting with the aluminum and causing it to erode and pit. This happens with some people, and not with others, it's a random body chemistry thing. This has been happening with all of Apple's aluminum laptops, I've seen some PowerBook G4s with the same issue (though they have plastic around the edge, so it's all on the palmrest area instead). So it's not a build-quality issue, as the aluminum in the MacBook is reacting as all aluminum does, and there's nothing Apple can do about that.

There's not a lot you can do, some people have been able to get Apple to replace it, apparently. It's unfortunate, but the way of things.

This thread talks about this as well.

Also, as a side note, if your camera has a macro mode, you'll be able to make significantly better pictures, as macro will allow it to focus at that close of a distance.
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But the problem arent blemishes or discoloration, its that the edges are corroding (looks like tiny teeth marks)
 
brianchop7 said:
But the problem arent blemishes or discoloration, its that the edges are corroding (looks like tiny teeth marks)
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Your thread is labeled that the problem is discoloration, now you're saying there isn't any?

The problem is the same, the corrosion is coming from your body chemistry. The only other options are that either you've been hitting it with something hard or there is a defect in the casing. No matter than manufacturer, defects happen. Apple stands behind their products, if it's a defect they'll fix it.
 
iThinkergoiMac said:
Your thread is labeled that the problem is discoloration, now you're saying there isn't any?

The problem is the same, the corrosion is coming from your body chemistry. The only other options are that either you've been hitting it with something hard or there is a defect in the casing. No matter than manufacturer, defects happen. Apple stands behind their products, if it's a defect they'll fix it.
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I made a mistake but theres no way to change the title now. Read the description too and you'll see its not discoloration.
I'm not a child, i dont go around hitting my computer for no reason. I'm not sure if they'll cover it if i have no insurance on it anymore.
 
brianchop7 said:
I made a mistake but theres no way to change the title now. Read the description too and you'll see its not discoloration.
Click to expand...

You can change it right now if you want to, just edit your original post. I'm fully aware that the issue is a physical dent, not mere discoloration, I was simply trying to figure out the discrepancy.

I'm not a child, i dont go around hitting my computer for no reason. I'm not sure if they'll cover it if i have no insurance on it anymore.
Click to expand...

I don't think you do. I'm simply outlining the 3 possible explanations for this occurrence, one of which (hitting it with something hard) is highly unlikely. The edges are where the anodization is going to be the thinnest and where it is likely to get the most contact with your skin. The issues like this I've seen with other MacBooks/PowerBook G4s haven't been mere discoloration, but actual pits.
 
Mine started doing that after a year or so. It's a problem with the metal. I think its due to the salt in your palm sweat eating the metal.
 
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