Maybe if the painter really sucks. You need to be schooled in how to blend paint. It can be done. But a computer isnt exactly worth wile to do such work.
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Paint to match aluminum on unibody mbp's?
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Maybe if the painter really sucks. You need to be schooled in how to blend paint. It can be done. But a computer isnt exactly worth wile to do such work.
For sure, no disagreement there... but my gut says the OP has not spent much time in a booth.
Yah, honestly, this could be done with one of those air brush kits from walmart. No compressor needed, those canned air type would prolly work. But i wouldnt bother touching up a mbp, just not worth the hassle for me.
Testors Metalizer. It's a hobby paint, so you'll need to find a good hobby store. There are two kinds of this paint, too, so be careful what you pick up. One is a buffing kind where you spray it on, then buff it with a rag to get a very customizable metal sheen (and it really does look entirely like metal) and there's the non-buffing kind. That's what you want. The buffing version is very, very delicate - you can't touch it because skin oil ruins the effect. I have used both versions and they are definitely the best looking "metal" paints I can find. The buffed paint is the best, but when you can't buff it, the non-buff paint is a very good substitute. That said, the problem with them is that you can only get them in spray cans or bottles of airbrush-ready (read: very, very thinned out) liquid paint. To see how good these can look, check out the images on this page.
I've not had good experience with other paint - it never looks anything like metal, chrome, aluminum, etc. In this instance, however, I'm really not sure what will match the Macbook aluminum. You may want to head to a hobby store with it and show the guys there. They are all usually very experienced and may be able to help. I knew growing up being a dorky model builder would come in handy some time.
As most people have said in this forum already, the coating is actual aluminum that has gone through anodized process. With that said. I had the same question and wanted to freshen up some older MacPros before sending them off to a new owner. I have found that Krylon 1403 Dull Aluminum matches almost perfectly. Essentially it is as close as you will get with paint. The shine and finish is a perfect match, the color is maybe 1 or 2% darker than original. Given this, if you paint the entire "flat" side of whatever is scratched, you won't notice the difference on other sides. I would recommend covering the entire side or at least feathering (if you are more experienced with paint) so the difference is not noticeable. The repainted removable panel was flawless on the MacPros I finished. I've also touched up the back of a Cinema Display that had substantial markings. I hope this helps someone.
Since no one seemed to directly answer the question and seeing as though Apple still has the same finish in todays MacBooks as they did 7 years ago I thought this was a helpful answer. Despite it's age, this forum post still comes up on search engine results (I found it previously by Googling the same answer myself and decided to return to add actual value). There is little info on this topic on the web and many people asking on other sites. I am sure someone will find this useful today and in the future. I guess I chose to try and be helpful and add to the knowledge base rather than give people crap for trying to help.
Unbelievable at some of the things people find to complain about...
If there wasn't a need to resurrect a thread, then why does the thread continue to exist?
I have also been looking for a solution to this & am glad @jmaeser took the time out of his day to share his best found remedy to the situation. Actually bought a 3-pack of the stuff based on his post, nobody else on the internet has seemed to be able to offer a "solid" answer on this, so yes, hence why there's multiple threads on this topic alone.
I created an account here solely to respond to @Samuelsan2001's useless bashing post in support of the person whose post, as he says, "add actual value" to the thread to a subject that's still very relevant today.
Precisely! I did exactly the same. Thanks a lot, jmaeser!
I just ordered a can of paint, and I hope I will be able to improve the look of several macbooks and a macpro that has a rather ugly scratch on its side door... :-(
Thanks, thanks!
So.. you never get your detailed, or fixex after someone scrapes it? I also assume you never wash it, since there's plenty of children in Africa dying from thirst! Created an account just to reply to this sheer stupidity of a comment and will not come back again.
You created an account to respond to a post made 10 years ago? Read the posting dates before responding.
Space Grey models may be possible to paint if you can match the shade correctly.