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Thinkpad LCD Case Finish

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:08 pm
by mrdanieloh
Hi,

Is there anyway to clean off scratches, fingerprints, etc off the LCD case. I mean you could take a fingernail and scratch the top and it won't every come off. What do you guys recommend, short of putting a protective film or something on the LCD case?

Thanks,

Quang

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:25 pm
by gator
Are you asking for a protective film for the LCD screen, or for the top of the LCD cover (black matte finish with thinkpad logo)? If you are asking for the latter, ideastyle sells some nice skins.

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 6:20 pm
by ducky2802
on older thinkpads, I have experimented using plain water and a nice soft rag. Works okay. Using rubbing alcohol and water, much better results. Using water and methanol, even better results, but be sure to not leave the methanol on too long, and let it dry for several hours. Be careful as methnol MAY cause discoloring on other NON-LCD COVER FINISH (I havent had any problems though, but I take no responsibility if it causes discoloring in your situation).

Best results on the LCD finish (TOP RUBBER COATING ONLY), but EXTREMELY corrosive to the plastic, use acetone and water. I DO NOT recommend doing this unless you are really, really, really careful and as such, I take no responsibility if you spill EVEN ONE DROP on the unprotected plastic anywhere on your computer, because ACETONE WILL EAT UP THE PLASTIC IN SECONDS!! With that said, what you do is put some acetone on a damp cloth, and trickle a little puddle on the LCD cover. Use the cloth to evenly spread the acetone around the top LCD cover, until you have a nice, consistent film. Let stand for a few seconds. Get another damp (water only clotch) and start drying off they cover really carefully and evenly. You will pull off a little of the black rubber finish. Allow to dry for SEVERAL HOURS. Once dried, the cover will look brand new...pulling off most every scuff mark, covering up light scratches, and will be even more black/sparkly in the end. AGAIN, THIS METHOD IS NOT RECOMMENDED IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL BECAUSE ACETONE WILL EAT THROUGH PLASTIC!!! It sure gives a really nice finish though to 5+ year old thinkpads!