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Any way to prevent shiny keys except keyboard cover?

B

Baloney1011

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 9, 2011
81
0
I really don't want a keyboard cover, but I would hate it for the keys on my brand new MBP to get shiny. I have seen a lot of threads about this but none of them really said how to PREVENT it - most of them just said you can't solve it once it's happened. So, first of all, one question: about how long does it take the keys to get shiny. About three months or so? Because I just got my MBP two days ago, and was wondering if it is important to take action now. I heard that the Magic Eraser does help, but when should I apply it? Once I already have the shininess on the keys, or while they're still okay? Or should I apply it at all? Can it damage my computer? Any tips on what I should do to keep the keys from getting worn without a keyboard cover? Thanks.

P.S. If it is necessary to get a keyboard cover, I guess it would have to be the Moshi ClearGuard. Whoever has it, could you tell me about it... Thanks
 
Baloney1011 said:
I really don't want a keyboard cover, but I would hate it for the keys on my brand new MBP to get shiny. I have seen a lot of threads about this but none of them really said how to PREVENT it - most of them just said you can't solve it once it's happened. So, first of all, one question: about how long does it take the keys to get shiny. About three months or so? Because I just got my MBP two days ago, and was wondering if it is important to take action now. I heard that the Magic Eraser does help, but when should I apply it? Once I already have the shininess on the keys, or while they're still okay? Or should I apply it at all? Can it damage my computer? Any tips on what I should do to keep the keys from getting worn without a keyboard cover? Thanks.

P.S. If it is necessary to get a keyboard cover, I guess it would have to be the Moshi ClearGuard. Whoever has it, could you tell me about it... Thanks
Click to expand...

well ucould just not type on it, that would prevent it from going shiny

moshi cleargaurd, used it for over a year, still using it.
 
I remember there was a thread like this a while back, there was a guy who put scotch tape on his keys then just cut the excess with a xacto knife. I had my macbook for about 1 month and my keys didn't wear out.
 
randomrazr said:
well ucould just not type on it, that would prevent it from going shiny

moshi cleargaurd, used it for over a year, still using it.
Click to expand...

Do the arrow keys work well on the Moshi ClearGuard? I heard there were some issues...
 
What i do Is once a day I wipe down my keyboard with a wisel wipe. I have har my mac for several months and the keys look brand new.
 
It's black. Black + grease = shiny.

Got a few weeks old MBP here. There are already some shiny keys, since I'm not crazy enough to wash my hands every time before touching my keyboard. I don't expect any actual wear of the keyboard, i.e. I assume that whatever shininess appears over time can be removed by cleaning it.

I have a 2008 pre-unibody (silver keyboard) that I used heavily. The keyboard is in excellent condition, no sign of wear (not super clean either, but that's my fault of course).

If there is really a permanent discoloring of some keys after a few months I will be a bit disappointed... but just a bit.
On the old model, the open key has lost all it's silver/metallic coating... it's the only part of the laptop that shows that it has been used.
 
I don't really see a way of preventing this except if you're aware enough to wash your hands before using your machine; or Magic Eraser your MBPS 2 or 3 times a week. I'd go the Moshi Clear Guard way because, it no only makes your keys good as new, it's also good for preventing dust to seep in the keyboard. After days of using with the CGuard, you'll get used to it and won't even know its there. Of course, nothing beats an uncovered keyboard but you have those mentioned trade offs of grease, dust or even accidental liquid spills.

I change machines every couple of years so I don't really bother. But I'm guessing anyone concerened of keyboard grease is planning for longevity. :apple:
 
arctic said:
I change machines every couple of years so I don't really bother. But I'm guessing anyone concerened of keyboard grease is planning for longevity. :apple:
Click to expand...

So do I - every two or three years depending on circumstances - but that doesn't mean I want there to be key grease while I'm using it. So, I guess if I wipe the keys every day or two, that will prevent them from getting worn smooth by the grease? What should I use to wipe them - magic eraser or just LCD cleaner?

P.S. I also wash my hands almost every time before using it. I just don't want the feeling of the keyboard to be ruined. The feeling of the keyboard will be ruined by both grease and a keyboard cover, so... I don't want either of them.

----------
wrinkster22 said:
What i do Is once a day I wipe down my keyboard with a wisel wipe. I have har my mac for several months and the keys look brand new.
Click to expand...

Sorry for being stupid, but, what exactly is a "wisel wipe?" A Google search yielded no results.
 
I wouldn't use a Magic Eraser. They're abrasive, and while that works great on the kitchen floor, I don't think, over time, it will work so well on your keys. Plus, it needs to be decently wet to work, another drawback when it comes to computers...
 
iThinkergoiMac said:
I wouldn't use a Magic Eraser. They're abrasive, and while that works great on the kitchen floor, I don't think, over time, it will work so well on your keys. Plus, it needs to be decently wet to work, another drawback when it comes to computers...
Click to expand...


Yah I imagine its not hard to rub off the letters on the keys. That magic eraser works wonders, in good and bad ways
 
newone757 said:
Yah I imagine its not hard to rub off the letters on the keys. That magic eraser works wonders, in good and bad ways
Click to expand...

I would say it's impossible to rub off the letters on the keys, since they go through to the bottom of the material ;)


@Baloney

A keyboard cover will protect your keyboard from grease... but there will still be keyboard grease... on the cover, unless you want to change it on a weekly basis. Just clean it once in a while, it should be fine.
 
Moshi Clearguard is great for protecting the keyboard. However, I've found it slows my typing speed. I end up keeping the cover on when I'm using my Macbook leisurely but take it off when I need to be productive.
 
The secret to avoid shiny keys is to never use it. Put it on display inside a glass case, made from non glare art glass. Be sure to use focused lighting from above and your museum piece will look very impressive.

Kidding aside, you paid for a great _computer_ why not use it as one?

Enjoy it, and avoid getting all paranoid trying to keep it pristine. Shiny keys are a sign you're enjoying it. My new MacBook Pro has very stylish shiny keys. It proves I'm using it, instead of coveting it like a priceless painting.

In the event something happens and it gets damaged, you may find it comforting to know, they're replaceable. Apple will gladly sell me another. :)
 
You could just put some transperant stickers on each key.
That way you get the same protection (from grease) as a that moshi stuff but it is easy to wipe and you can just replace the stickers if they become ugly. But the typing experience will be no different.
If you find some sticker with a slightly matte texture it probably even works better than before.

That is what I would do but I didn't because I could care less about greasy keys. Mine are really dirty and I have to clean them soon but generally don't care what my notebook looks like as long as it doesn't impair usability (like display smudge).
 
Lots of people are saying that, to them, shiny keys are a good thing and proves (to someone?) that you are enjoying your computer...
I don't exactly think about it like that :D

Anyway, what if I just wipe them down with LCD cleaner every night or two? Will that keep them alright for a year or so?
 
For a year or so you don't really have to do anything. That problem doesn't show up that quick in my experience. Mine needed about a year to show any signs at all. The space key being the first with a shiny spot.

LCD cleaner? What cleaner hardly matters. I don't understand why so many people fall for all this marketing. Some simple dish washing detergent does the job as well and often just water works. For very tough dirt that accumulated over a long time or just to desinfect alcohol is still the most effective stuff that usually everybody has at home. Don't waste money on this "special" cleaner nonsense. It is just marketing to rip of fools.
 
dusk007 said:
For very tough dirt that accumulated over a long time or just to desinfect alcohol is still the most effective stuff that usually everybody has at home. Don't waste money on this "special" cleaner nonsense. It is just marketing to rip of fools.
Click to expand...

Yes, because ruining your antiglare screen by using alcohol on it is much better than spending a tiny bit more on an actual screen cleaner...
 
randomrazr said:
buy the moshi cleargaurd and quite whining

and no aarrow keys are fine

www.youtube.com/randomrazr

made like 3 vids on the moshi cleagraurd

enjoy
Click to expand...

Lol, I watched one of your videos a couple of days ago. Never had a clue you was a fellow MacRumors user. Good video, but despite you saying positive things about the cover, from the video, the Moshi cover looks like it clouds up the keys and is not really that clear. Please correct me if I am wrong. ;)
 
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All I can say is don't eat around your computer, and if your hands are dirty/oily/covered in food then wash them before you use it. My original unibody still looks pretty much new after 38 months of intense daily usage - I'm not obsessive about mine but I do take care of it; I really don't know how people manage to get their computers so dirty!
 
Hustler1337 said:
Lol, I watched one of your videos a couple of days ago. Never had a clue you was a fellow MacRumors user. Good video, but despite you saying positive things about the cover, from the video, the Moshi cover looks like it clouds up the keys and is not really that clear. Please correct me if I am wrong. ;)
Click to expand...

its as transparent as you get with keyboard covers and no its not cloudy at all. u cant even tell anything is on it from a distance, much better then silicone.

had this over a year. my keys look brand new the day i got it and plus the moshi you can WASH it to remove build up of oil and stuff and its still looking fine lol.
 
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