Unibody Macbook Pro - how to polish?

[miles01110]

Doing a quick a check of the Macs at Apple.com I found this on the MacBook Air page:

The anodized aluminum surface and stunning contours confirm MacBook Air as a feat of beautiful engineering.​

Couldn't find mention of it on the MacBook Pro page though.

Yes, Apple's web page(s) falsely asserts that the surfaces of various Apple machines are anodized. Unfortunately this is incorrect, because they are powder coated. If the machines were anodized the powder coat (paint) would not chip.

 

[Zak.V]

An Eraser and computer cleaner will go a long way, you'll be surprised when the marks come off and theres no scratch.

Yes, Apple's web page(s) falsely asserts that the surfaces of various Apple machines are anodized. Unfortunately this is incorrect, because they are powder coated. If the machines were anodized the powder coat (paint) would not chip.

You are mistaken, Anodize is not bulletproof and can wear when subjected to abrasions. The coating is too thin to be Powder Coat (dropped my MBP and got down to the aluminum). It is also porous which is a property of Anodize, not powder coat. Wiki Anodizing and you'll see the ipod mini is the same finish but dyed green instead of silver.

Im sure apple would say its Anodize if it was powder coat... In the end both finishes of are high quality and better than black plastic.

 

[appleguy123]

My Unkle shot the last one he's got this thing for slaughtering endangered/fictional species. His name is Cletus and he has a big gun n missin front teeth. If you see him give him the finger....

Get the blood. That's what the op needs. It even matches the MacBook Pro.

 

[THX1139]

You could try hiding the scratches by taking silver enamel paint and dabbing over the scratches. Use an ultra fine brush and take your time.

 

[aeboi]

try bacon greese

 

[miles01110]

You are mistaken, Anodize is not bulletproof and can wear when subjected to abrasions.

Diamond can wear when subject to abrasions. This statement is essentially meaningless.

The coating is too thin to be Powder Coat (dropped my MBP and got down to the aluminum).

No, it's not.

It is also porous which is a property of Anodize, not powder coat.

Porous? You clearly have little indication of what anodization is. Anodized coating is not porous at all, because it bonds to the metal and becomes part of it. That's why anodization coatings aren't included in any standard machining tolerances.

Wiki Anodizing and you'll see the ipod mini is the same finish but dyed green instead of silver.

What's your point? The iPod Mini was powder coated also.

 

[Zak.V]

From wiki

"Anodized aluminium surfaces, for example, are harder than aluminium but have low to moderate wear resistance that can be improved with increasing thickness or by applying suitable sealing substances. Anodic films are generally much stronger and more adherent than most types of paint and metal plating, but also more brittle. This makes them less likely to crack and peel from aging and wear, but more susceptible to cracking from thermal stress."

Anodize is the process of oxidizing the metal to thicken the layer of naturally occurring oxides. In the case of steel we call it rust. The big difference is the steel oxide flakes of the metal and provides no protection.

Aluminum oxide is porous and is how they are able to dye it. Sealing it afterward can eliminate porosity.

I guess i used the wrong term but i was referring to the finish and how it is not perfectly smooth like paint on a car.

It is anodize

 

[iPhysicist]

The Alloy is NOT powder coated, it is anodized. It is the truth so live with it Miles!

 

[millertime021]

This will help.


http://tinyurl.com/3488bh7

 

[puma1552]

The Alloy is NOT powder coated, it is anodized. It is the truth so live with it Miles!

x2, and I say that as a chemical engineer/materials scientist.

 

[Sun Baked]

If you look at what the frame shops use when doing the cut edges of the anodized frames, they either use an expensive piece of equipment to color it ... or a sharpie marker.

Since it is silver, a silver pen or paint and a toothpick might make it less noticeable.

 

[DJBIGALmemphis]

Try a good pencil eraser. I nicked my unibody last year slightly and I put one of those awesome white mars erasers to it. Won't get rid of the gouge, but it took out all the black.

The eraser was the answer for me too. Took all the black scuffs off that wouldn't come off with windex or goo gone

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Holy thread resurrection Batman!!