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Preventing Pitting and Corrosion...

E

emaja

macrumors 68000
Original poster
May 3, 2005
1,706
11
Chicago, IL
Apparently there is something in my body chemistry that reacts with the case of my MBP that causes it to corrode and pit. It is not a hygiene issue either and I am not alone as I have read in many places that this happens to others. There is pitting where my hand hits the front edge of the palm rest as well as on the bottom where my thumb touches the bottom of the case.

I have not seen a wrap that covers the edge. I have heard about using tennis racket grip wraps but those don't stick. I have also seen people use clear packing tape but I am hesitant to try that.

Any suggestions?
 
emaja said:
Apparently there is something in my body chemistry that reacts with the case of my MBP that causes it to corrode and pit. It is not a hygiene issue either and I am not alone as I have read in many places that this happens to others. There is pitting where my hand hits the front edge of the palm rest as well as on the bottom where my thumb touches the bottom of the case.

I have not seen a wrap that covers the edge. I have heard about using tennis racket grip wraps but those don't stick. I have also seen people use clear packing tape but I am hesitant to try that.

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
There are skins that you can put on your MBP to protect it from such things. There are dozens of threads discussing these options.
 
emaja said:
Apparently there is something in my body chemistry that reacts with the case of my MBP that causes it to corrode and pit. It is not a hygiene issue either and I am not alone as I have read in many places that this happens to others. There is pitting where my hand hits the front edge of the palm rest as well as on the bottom where my thumb touches the bottom of the case.

I have not seen a wrap that covers the edge. I have heard about using tennis racket grip wraps but those don't stick. I have also seen people use clear packing tape but I am hesitant to try that.

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

The issue is most likely being caused by electrolysis and improper grounding. Have you ever noticed when you have your MBP plugged into the wall using the 2-prong plug that you can feel a little buzz of current if you touch the case? That doesn't happen if you use the 3-prong plug. The slight flow of current using the 2-prong plug may be enough to initiate electrolysis with your sweat, which will steel ions from the MBP case causing the pitting you describe.

If you have to use the machine while plugged-in, use the 3-prong and that should stop or slow the problem until you get a case.
 
AZREOSpecialist said:
The issue is most likely being caused by electrolysis and improper grounding. Have you ever noticed when you have your MBP plugged into the wall using the 2-prong plug that you can feel a little buzz of current if you touch the case? That doesn't happen if you use the 3-prong plug.
Click to expand...

I thought about that but it is a newer building and there are 3 prong outlets throughout.

GGJstudios said:
There are skins that you can put on your MBP to protect it from such things. There are dozens of threads discussing these options.
Click to expand...

No. None of the other solutions wrap over the front edge. They will cover up to, but not over, the front edge. I am looking to literally wrap over the edge not just cover the palm rest.
 
AZREOSpecialist said:
The issue is most likely being caused by electrolysis and improper grounding.
Click to expand...

This is not the cause. The paint on the Macbook Pro chassis can and does wear off over time, especially on the sharp unbeveled edge of the top case.

You're not going to find anything that will do more than delay the inevitable. Palmrest covers like the Moshi placed over the edge will last days or perhaps weaks before the sharp edge cuts through, leaving you at square one.
 
emaja said:
No. None of the other solutions wrap over the front edge. They will cover up to, but not over, the front edge. I am looking to literally wrap over the edge not just cover the palm rest.
Click to expand...
That's not true. Speck cases cover the front edge, as do others.
 
GGJstudios said:
That's not true. Speck cases cover the front edge, as do others.
Click to expand...

Even those do not wrap fully up and over the front edge. It come over the bottom and covers to front that faces the user but it does not then wrap up and over to the palm rest.

I didn't think there was paint on the case. I thought it was aluminum. Maybe a protective coating, but didn't think paint. How useless is it if that coating doesn't protect it from pitting?
 
emaja said:
Even those do not wrap fully up and over the front edge. It come over the bottom and covers to front that faces the user but it does not then wrap up and over to the palm rest.
Click to expand...
You can install a Speck case and a palm rest skin. You can completely cover your Mac if you choose, but it appears you're resistant to the idea of such a solution, even though they have worked well for many others.
 
I apologize if I seem resistant. I just don't want to buy things and find out that they don't do what I need them to do. Sorry if I seem ungrateful for the suggestion.

It seems to me that the combo of a case and a Moshi skin covers most but not all. The leading edge looks to be left exposed. Is this a combo you have seen and if so does it leave any gaps?
 
emaja said:
I apologize if I seem resistant. I just don't want to buy things and find out that they don't do what I need them to do. Sorry if I seem ungrateful for the suggestion.

It seems to me that the combo of a case and a Moshi skin covers most but not all. The leading edge looks to be left exposed. Is this a combo you have seen and if so does it leave any gaps?
Click to expand...
These options are discussed in detail in hundreds of threads on this topic. Here are just a few that discuss Moshi, Speck and other options:

Macbook Pro Bags, Sleeves, and Cases Thread
Hard Case Scratch? Moshi and Incase?
Maintaining your MacBook Pro Aluminium UniBody
What kind(s) of protection do you put on your Macbook Pro?
[REVIEW] Incipio Feather: ultralight hard shell case for the MacBook Air
Skin under the Speck case anyone?
MacBook pro case/skin
to keep incase hard case or not...hmmm
What's the wear and tear like?
Pitting
Best protective gear for 2011 MBP? 15"
Is pitting really an issue?
Protecting your MBP.
 
GGJstudios said:
These options are discussed in detail in hundreds of threads on this topic. Here are just a few that discuss Moshi, Speck and other options...
Click to expand...

While I appreciate the effort, none of those threads offer or describe what I am looking for. They all leave a gap. I want no gap.

I guess I'll have to accept that there are no products that do what I am looking for.
 
miles01110 said:
No, it is not. Clearly you've never worked with anodized aluminum or this would be obvious.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but I'm under the impression that it is anodized. This is based on a keynote I saw a few years ago, where Steve Jobs stated it. I guess he could have been wrong. Unfortunately I couldn't find it, but while I was looking, I came across this. It claims that the unibody is media blasted.

Either way, it isn't painted.
 
emaja said:
While I appreciate the effort, none of those threads offer or describe what I am looking for. They all leave a gap. I want no gap.

I guess I'll have to accept that there are no products that do what I am looking for.
Click to expand...

Did you find a good solution to this problem? I just discovered a line of pits along the front edge of my MBP as well and have put masking tape over and along the edge as a quick fix.
 
I bought an elago PALMREST SKIN and wrapped the bottom edge with some Scotch tape - the name brand tape. It seems to have a different adhesive that doesn't leave any residue when removed.

So far - so good.
 
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emaja said:
I bought an elago PALMREST SKIN and wrapped the bottom edge with some Scotch tape - the name brand tape. It seems to have a different adhesive that doesn't leave any residue when removed.

So far - so good.
Click to expand...

I think I know the stuff. Thanks for the tip. My masking tape works without leaving the adhesive but does tend to slip, I think the Scotch tape should be better for that.
 
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T5BRICK said:
Sorry, but I'm under the impression that it is anodized. This is based on a keynote I saw a few years ago, where Steve Jobs stated it. I guess he could have been wrong. Unfortunately I couldn't find it, but while I was looking, I came across this. It claims that the unibody is media blasted.

Either way, it isn't painted.
Click to expand...

Cant be media blasted, blasted finish gets uneven over time (parts shine/tarnish? more) specially in the places where is touched more.
 
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