Stains on Macbook Pro 13 Inch

[frnak]

This is an issue I'm starting to notice on my 10 month old Macbook Pro 13 inch.

There's this "white stain" on both palm rests of the MBP. Here's some sample pictures:

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/1350/sample1i.jpg
http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/6863/sample2z.jpg

It cannot be cleaned off by wiping it, water, rubbing alcohol, etc.

Note that I clean my MBP daily, even hourly, I always wash my hands and dry them before using this laptop, therefore, I know it's not a matter of sanitation.

Does anyone else experience this issue? If you do, why is this happening?

Thanks!

 

[infernohellion]

I certainly hope that the same thing is not happening underneath the MOSHI palmguard I installed for my MBP

 

[kny3twalker]

You need to choose a more appropriate title.

And cleaning with alcohol could be causing your issue.

 

[frnak]

You need to choose a more appropriate title.

And cleaning with alcohol could be causing your issue.

The stain appeared prior to any cleaning with alcohol. I've also dissolved the alcohol in water to make it less concentrated.

 

[Surely]

It could be the start of aluminum pitting. This can occur with some people due to their skin's pH.

It happened a little bit to my 1st gen iPhone, so I put a Moshi Palmguard on my MBP to prevent this from happening to it as well.

 

[Aboo]

The stain appeared prior to any cleaning with alcohol. I've also dissolved the alcohol in water to make it less concentrated.

Do you have sweaty palms? Palmar hyperhydrosis could also cause this due to a reaction between the salty sweat and the aluminium.

 

[frnak]

I do have excessive sweating on occasions using the MBP. However, I do wipe it constantly, in between use, and after usage.

If that is the case, is there any way to fix it? Will apple subject to such issue?

 

[Surely]

I do have excessive sweating on occasions using the MBP. However, I do wipe it constantly, in between use, and after usage.

If that is the case, is there any way to fix it? Will apple subject to such issue?

Apple won't replace it under warranty, if that's what you mean.

Really though, look into the Moshi Palmguard. It looks great on the MBP, and you also don't have to worry about your watch scratching the aluminum palmrest.

 

[mmomega]

Do you have sweaty palms? Palmar hyperhydrosis could also cause this due to a reaction between the salty sweat and the aluminium.

Exactly what I was thinking. I use myMBP at work everyday and I notice a white-ish tint on the palm rest or anywhere sweat touched the aluminum. I noticed this the first day and quickly grabbed a lysol/clorox antibacterial wipe and quickly cleaned any "sweat spots" i saw. I just keep the wipes container on my desk and clean the casing 2-3 times a week.

 

[Aboo]

I do have excessive sweating on occasions using the MBP. However, I do wipe it constantly, in between use, and after usage.

If that is the case, is there any way to fix it? Will apple subject to such issue?

Unfortunately, there isn't really much you can do. Sometimes, I suggest using talcum powder over the palms, but I'm not sure if this is really beneficial in your case. It will prevent this staining, but you will probably also get talcum powder over your keyboard.

You can also use protective devices like a body guardz or invisible shield transparent film or the moshi palm guard, but none of these options are going to reverse the damage that has already happened.

In any case this is considered normal wear and tear. Apple shouldn't create problems for you because of the staining, when you take your system in for repair.

 

[frnak]

Apple won't replace it under warranty, if that's what you mean.

Really though, look into the Moshi Palmguard. It looks great on the MBP, and you also don't have to worry about your watch scratching the aluminum palmrest.

I've bought a wireless keyboard, to prevent any way of touching the palm rest with my hands. And I guess if it's a chemical reaction that cannot be undone, i might as well prevent further damage.

It really is a shame, though, that a professional laptop have problems like this that HP or VIAO doesn't have...

 

[lionheartednyhc]

You should probably use kleenex next time, it will solve your problem











*9 replies and no jokes yet? You guys are dropping the ball

 

[Surely]

I've bought a wireless keyboard, to prevent any way of touching the palm rest with my hands. And I guess if it's a chemical reaction that cannot be undone, i might as well prevent further damage.

It really is a shame, though, that a professional laptop have problems like this that HP or VIAO doesn't have...

It happens to such a small percentage of the population, you can't really blame Apple for this. That's what happens when they use a chunk of pure aluminum to make the body.....

 

[kny3twalker]

I've bought a wireless keyboard, to prevent any way of touching the palm rest with my hands. And I guess if it's a chemical reaction that cannot be undone, i might as well prevent further damage.

It really is a shame, though, that a professional laptop have problems like this that HP or VIAO doesn't have...

That had to be more than just buying a rest guard. Why do this to yourself? and this has to be much more inconvenient.

Still your thread title is weird, and you made me feel unsure about opening your pictures.

 

[Aboo]

I've bought a wireless keyboard, to prevent any way of touching the palm rest with my hands. And I guess if it's a chemical reaction that cannot be undone, i might as well prevent further damage.

It really is a shame, though, that a professional laptop have problems like this that HP or VIAO doesn't have...

frnak, I think your best bet (and a cheaper option) would be for you to get a Moshi palm guard. These are pretty much the same color as the aluminium unibody, and they are professional looking.

Check it out here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-VGSEcHHyo

 

[frnak]

That had to be more than just buying a rest guard. Why do this to yourself? and this has to be much more inconvenient.

Still your thread title is weird, and you made me feel unsure about opening your pictures.

lol, I know...after posting, I kinda thought it would sound weird, but MacRumors won't let me change the title...

 

[alskdj]

I'm also experiencing a similar issue, although my stains are probably the result of something else

 

[Surely]

lol, I know...after posting, I kinda thought it would sound weird, but MacRumors won't let me change the title...

You can change the title:

On your first post of the thread, click "EDIT", and then click "Go Advanced". You should be able to change the title at that point.

 

[vong]

basically people with palms that sweat a lot should get a palm guard or something so they will not have an incident like this correct?

 

[Aboo]

basically people with palms that sweat a lot should get a palm guard or something so they will not have an incident like this correct?

In short, yes.

 

[thebeautyisfake]

I know what you've been up to.
You know what you've been up to.

Just clean up better next time or do the deed elsewhere.

 

[Surely]

basically people with palms that sweat a lot should get a palm guard or something so they will not have an incident like this correct?

In a little longer, no.

It's not about too much sweat. It's about your skin being a certain pH that causes the aluminum to corrode. It started happening to my MBP, and I don't have sweaty palms.

But yeah, the palmguard is the solution.

 

[BlackZ]

You have sweaty palms or at least hands that harm the case.
I suggest to wipe your macbook every day with a moisturized cloth.

I saw this happen with a friend of mine and we both have the same model.
Sadly but true, this is nothing Apple can do about, this happens on any laptop.

 

[Aboo]

In a little longer, no.

It's not about too much sweat. It's about your skin being a certain pH that causes the aluminum to corrode. It started happening to my MBP, and I don't have sweaty palms.

But yeah, the palmguard is the solution.

You're skin's pH is actually pretty much neutral - 6.9-7.1; this is salt corrosion.

 

[Surely]

You're skin's pH is actually pretty much neutral - 7.1; this is salt erosion.

No. The skin's pH is around 5.5. It is slightly acidic to protect from the elements and from harmful bacteria growth.

Not everyone has the exact same pH. It varies from person to person.

Your skin is fairly acidic, which helps it ward off the advances of harmful bacteria and fungi. The optimal pH of human skin is 5,5 and you can measure it with a piece of litmus paper.

Your sweat with the sebum on your skin to form something called an acid mantle, which has a pH of 4 to 5.5.