Thinkpads Forum

Hi all,
After many different attempts to restore distressed ThinkPad lids to their former gloried matte blackness, I think I've found a quick and safe procedure.
First, take a damp white soft cloth with a bit of baby shampoo and clean the lid until no more dirt shows on the cloth.
Next, get some Meguiar's Ultimate Polish Pre-Waxing Glaze and a microfiber cloth.
Sparingly apply the glaze using the microfiber cloth in a figure 8 pattern.
Using a clean part of the microfiber cloth, buff out the lid.
I've tried this on some pretty gnarly lids, and even though it doesn't remove the deep scratches it "rounds the edges" of the scratches, making them much less noticeable.
It also removes sticker residue and shadows from the palmrest also.
I've done this with my whole general population of ThinkPads, with excellent results.
The glaze is not aggressive, and will not soften the finish or shine the corners.
It even works with my Z series titanium lids! (now, if I could stop the darn fingerprints...)
I know this topic has been beat to death, but this method really worked for me.

Thanks! Will try on post-T60 machines and if that works, will restore ancients too

My GF put my mint (seriously mint) condition T61 in her purse and seems a a tube of hand lotion leaked out onto the cover. In addition the tin of the tube (think toothpaste) scratched up the surface. Very unhappy to say the least. Can you post pictures of the results of your cleaning? I may have to try this to get it back into a decent condition. I am finding I my cover got sticky where it was exposed to the lotion. Seems like some sort of chemical reaction with the rubberized paint.