Debris in speaker grill

[Justinwhitlock528]

I have a MacBook Pro M5 Pro that I got last month. I have just noticed some shiny stuff in my speaker grill. Is there a way to clean it out without opening the computer? It is annoying because I have a space black Mac and it sticks out.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Small vacuum, I suppose. But you’d want to be careful about damaging the speaker.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Small vacuum, I suppose. But you’d want to be careful about damaging the speaker.

Vacuums can create static electricity which can be very bad to electronics. It’s why canned air is used, though canned air wouldn’t help in this case without opening the laptop.

 

[donawalt]

I have seen them in the past, I have a space gray MacBook Pro too. What worked pretty well for me is a combination of (1) blowing hard on a spot from an angle, up close (2) get a micro fiber cloth, wet it, rub over it - sometimes that is enough to remove any debris. Bu then sometimes I (3) while the area is still damp from the cloth, get one of those electric toothbrush replacements and lightly brush it. Then blow again. I keep one of the replacement brushes as seen in the image below, just for this purpose. I found these brushes don't damage the paint/finish at all, but test it first.

YMMV of course.

I also wipe the keyboard/areas surrounding the keyboard once at the end of the day to keep it clean - keeps stuff from accumulating on/in/near the grills.

 

[Apathist]

Maybe try Scotch tape rolled around your fingers (sticky side out obviously). Some slight pressure might allow it to attach to and extract the particles lodged in the holes.

 

[Macioso]

You can also use typewriter type cleaner.

It’s like a piece of sticky modeling clay that you press onto the grid, and the dirt sticks to it.

 

[donawalt]

You can also use typewriter type cleaner.

It’s like a piece of sticky modeling clay that you press onto the grid, and the dirt sticks to it.

Interesting - on the same theory, I wonder reading that suggestion, if a little play-doh dabbed on type would work?

 

[Macioso]

...a little play-doh dabbed on type would work?

No, I don't think so. Regular modeling clay like play-doh might be too sticky and brittle, and pieces of it could break off the large piece and get stuck in the holes of the grid. That would be counterproductive.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Interesting - on the same theory, I wonder reading that suggestion, if a little play-doh dabbed on type would work?

Probably better off using silly putty. It isn’t granular like play-doh.

 

[Mrbobb]

A household vacuum should do it, but then I know how to use it carefully.

 

[BigBlur]

A majority of them aren’t even holes. They’re dimples just for aesthetics. Taking it apart won’t help much since you won’t be getting airflow through them, nor can the debris get pushed inside. Apple should get rid of these like they did on the MacBook Air.

I see some of the dimples are clogged with debris, but the shiny ones could just be where the black paint chipped away.

 

[Justinwhitlock528]

I see some of the dimples are clogged with debris, but the shiny ones could just be where the black paint chipped away.

If it is paint that chipped away, should I be worried about whether the rest of my mac's paint gets chipped?

 

[Justinwhitlock528]

You can also use typewriter type cleaner.

It’s like a piece of sticky modeling clay that you press onto the grid, and the dirt sticks to it.

Where would I find this?

Probably better off using silly putty

Could it still break off like playdough?

 

[Macioso]

Where would I find this?

Could it still break off like playdough?

You can find it on Amazon or other merchants. Search fot typewriter wheel cleaner. It won't not break off.

 

[uacd]

Use vacuum cleaner on it. I’ve been cleaning old laptops like this for ages. People with older butterfly keyboards were even able to save their keyboards this way. Just do not forget to turn the MacBook off before doing cleaning

 

[boswald]

I use something called Blue Tack from Amazon. It's basically Silly Putty with a different name, but it works all the same.

Blu-Tack Reusable Adhesive 75g

Blue tack reusable adhesive Bostic Blue tack is a handy putty-like reusable adhesive. Use it to stick, Seal, conceal, hold, and position a variety of items. Perfect for sticky jobs around the home, office, at school and for hobby and craft work. Bostic Blue tack is a great Modeling material. Use ...

www.amazon.com

 

[AdmiralKirk]

Maybe try Scotch tape rolled around your fingers (sticky side out obviously). Some slight pressure might allow it to attach to and extract the particles lodged in the holes.

This is the answer. Tape. It will stick to the debris and pull it out.

 

[keksikuningas]

If it is paint that chipped away, should I be worried about whether the rest of my mac's paint gets chipped?

it's the only place on your macbook's metal case with paint. The rest is just anodized aluminium AFAIK

 

[ayephoner]

They make a wide variety of electronic cleaning putty/gel/slime. I think I found some at the dollar tree. 5 below has some for $4.

https://www.fivebelow.com/products/...7SIQ5koSdOT1e8JzUw55X4kVDcJcFj4CPtF07JN1t0baA