ThinkVantage sticker on chromed lid Z61m

[Norway Pad]

A while back I bought cheap a Z61m, mostly because of the chrome/gold coated lid. It seems like the internals are pretty much the same as my T60, so I put it Win7 on it and plan to keep it as a collectible because of the nice lid. The coating on the lid is pretty good, no scratches or wear. Only some light fingerprint residue "matting" close to the edge. It even has some blue protective film on the IBM logo still. The problem is that it has a ThinkVantage Technologies sticker on the left side of the lid, and I would like to remove this sticker. But I am afraid an attempt to remove this sticker can damage the plating, or leave sticky glue, at which point it is better to keep the sticker there intact.

So has anybody removed such a sticker successfully? No dark spot left, peeling of the coating or sticky glue residue that impossible to remove? And what methods do you use to clean off residue from fingerprints and handling from this lid? I imagine this coating is so thin that it can be rubbed through if you are not careful. And buying a new lid is outside the scope of my Z-series interest.

The sticker is this one:

[jronald]

The z61 Ti lids are generally of two types.
#1 is peeling badly and looks like crap from day one.
#2 is like you have found, unfortunately I have found removing the overlying stickers often times leave the area under the sticker, lighter/brighter than the surrounding metal. The sticker are available on fleabay, but I would have one in hand before removing the old one.

By the way, the Z61's are often described as Widescreen T43's

Ron

[ajkula66]

By the way, the Z61's are often described as Widescreen T43's

Nah - it's the Z60 generation that is T43's widescreen cousin.

Z61 = T60 in most respects.

[Norway Pad]

Ok, thanks for the feedback. My idea was to remove the sticker for good. The sticker is in perfect condition as it is, so no need to replace it if I wanted to keep it. But if it's available to buy, it's a good idea to buy one. If the removal process leaves a brighter area or other marks, I just put the new sticker there. And if all is good, I just leave it off. At least it's good that I seem to have gotten the good type of lid, as I remember reading here about the chrome peeling and turning bad.

[Norway Pad]

I did some work on the Z61 yesterday, and I became aware of a couple of things I should have known before I posted the initial post. The fingerprint matting close to the edge seemed to also include some spots where the matte layer is totally gone, and the surface is shiny underneath. I have only been looking for spots where the titaninium/chrome color would peel off, so I haven't noticed these spots before now. As I have never owned or even seen a Z61 before, I have paid little attention to anything that has been written about the Z61 here. So I did some research and suddenly learned that the lid actually IS titanium, and the metallic surface isn't just a coating. There is also a matte transparent layer on top, and the peeling problem mentioned relates to this layer of transparent coating. Am I right?

And what happens when this layer is gone? If it starts to wear off even more, is it better to remove all and leave the metallic surface bare? Or would that cause it to oxidize or get discolored in any way? Any experiences with lids where this transparent coating is partly or totally gone/removed? Note that this laptop won't be used very much, so it will mostly sit on a shelf. Covered, if needed.

[jronald]

George is correct, I had the wrong comparison, sorry.

As far as removal, it finger prints badly once removed. The only thing I have found to remove it was a very good quality alcohol, In my case it was Vodka. Paint thinners, made it gummy while goof off appeared to have no effect at all. Once I got it off with the Vodka, I have left it off and been unhappy. I have tinted clear coated it with Automotive Paint, and while I was happy it was not cheap. And I have painted it with a product used to tint tail lights. Spray can that can be had at automotive stores. Happy with the finish and price.

YMMV
Ron

[ajkula66]

There is also a matte transparent layer on top, and the peeling problem mentioned relates to this layer of transparent coating. Am I right?

Yes. Think about this layer as you would of a clear coat on a car painted with old-style-toxic paints from before mid-80s.

And what happens when this layer is gone? If it starts to wear off even more, is it better to remove all and leave the metallic surface bare? Or would that cause it to oxidize or get discolored in any way? Any experiences with lids where this transparent coating is partly or totally gone/removed? Note that this laptop won't be used very much, so it will mostly sit on a shelf. Covered, if needed.

I'd leave the clear coat alone, not remove it. It's not likely to get much worse unless the machine is used a lot.

Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling the surfaces where that top layer is gone. Seriously.

Good luck.

[Norway Pad]

Ok, thanks guys. I now know what I have to deal with here. It is a pure collectible, so it will see very little handling. I can even put a cloth over it to cover the lid.

And I have painted it with a product used to tint tail lights. Spray can that can be had at automotive stores. Happy with the finish and price.

If I ever get the urge to put some work and effort into this, I might try something like Ron describes. We'll see.

[jronald]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/111227374750?lpid=82

Like this
Ron

[Norway Pad]

Ah, so black tinting. How did that look? Did it get very dark, or just a nice gray tint?

I would probably opt for a matte but clear one, as I like the color and the "shine" the lid has. My big concern is that I can't use any primer, unless I find a transparent one, and experience tells me it's a chance that the coating just peels off again when applied directly to a bare metal surface. Did you use any primer? And if not; does your coating still stay?

[jronald]

I just cleaned it very well, then sprayed it lightly.

There is a clear primer that is used on rubber car bumpers. Its called something like "adhesion improver" Brand Name I believe is Bulldog.

Ron