Nail polish on the trackpad...uggghh

[boston04and07]

So yeah, I was just painting my nails, forgot that they weren't dry, and went to use my MacBook. Now I have some small spots of nail polish on the trackpad. I know, I know, I'm stupid. Anyone know how I can remove this without causing more damage?? I'm just thinking that regular nail polish remover might be too corrosive.

I have a white MacBook, by the way.

 

[NewMacbookPlz]

So yeah, I was just painting my nails, forgot that they weren't dry, and went to use my MacBook. Now I have some small spots of nail polish on the trackpad. I know, I know, I'm stupid. Anyone know how I can remove this without causing more damage?? I'm just thinking that regular nail polish remover might be too corrosive.

I have a white MacBook, by the way.

Don't use nail polish remover. Acetone/acetone replacements+plastic= bad times. If anything, I'd grab a VERY sharp straight edge razor, and slide it across the trackpad to get under the nail polish. Like, not to slice the trackpad, but as if to shave it. (Same motion as when using a razor to clean a window)

 

[Sun Baked]

If it works, leave it ... unless there is a solution that is 100% guaranteed not to damage the machine worse.

Edit: If you want to see why I say this, go out and price the trackpad replacement (likely a topcase replacement)

 

[okatidubi]

Toothpaste? I've used toothpaste to get rid of pen inks on the bottom case and it works mainly because of the fluoride. Mine is a polycarbonate macbook. Not sure if it will work with the unibody.

PS. it's just a suggestion. Any damage done to your macbook is not my fault as you may chose not to proceed.

 

[boston04and07]

Thanks for your responses! I let it dry and chipped off most of it, and then used the tiniest amount of nail polish remover to gently wipe away the rest. Like, I just put a small drop on a paper towel and let it dry for about fifteen seconds before getting to the trackpad, and it doesn't seem to have affected the trackpad at all. Next time I'll be a bit more careful.

 

[mkrishnan]

Glad you found a solution. Don't be too hard on yourself. I jacked my Eee keyboard once with an apple martini... Everyone makes little mistakes.

 

[paolo-]

Glad you found a solution. Don't be too hard on yourself. I jacked my Eee keyboard once with an apple martini... Everyone makes little mistakes.

oh the irony.

 

[NewMacbookPlz]

Toothpaste? I've used toothpaste to get rid of pen inks on the bottom case and it works mainly because of the fluoride. Mine is a polycarbonate macbook. Not sure if it will work with the unibody.

PS. it's just a suggestion. Any damage done to your macbook is not my fault as you may chose not to proceed.

Actually toothpaste works to remove stuff from surfaces due to the mild abrasives in the paste (same things that clean your teeth). The fluoride functions to strengthen your teeth.