some surfaces of my laptop have become sticky. i am assuming that this is because the coating is made of something that decomposes over time. the surfaces in question include the top of the lid, the touchpad surround and the strips around the keyboard. can anyone suggest how to deal with this mess?
sticky laptop
- Thread starter silas
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SpyderTracks
We love you Ukraine
They will become sticky unless you regularly clean it, it’s not degrading, it’s just natural build up of bodily oils and air contaminants. Just need a microfiber cloth and some surface cleaner (no bleach obviously)
with respect spydertracks ... hogwash! this is nothing whatever to do with "bodily oils and air contaminatants" which can be cleaned off. this is chemical degradation equally formed over the entire surfaces mentioned. i can safely affirm, due to my having already attempted to wipe with surface cleaner, soap, spectacle cleaner...etc.. the only thing i have not tried yet and which would undoubtedly work is the use of a chisel or paint scraper to remove the entire surface coating down to the (presumably) base metal.
ubuysa
The BSOD Doctor
It's not wise, or nice, to say hogwash to anyone one here who is trying to help you. You can say 'thank you, but that's not it' but we're never rude, and especially not to @SpyderTracks who has helped more people on here that you can count.
If it's the 'rubberised' surfaces that have become sticky then it's sadly permanent. They use these high-grip rubberised materials where a good grip is needed, you see them a lot on cheap tools. That stuff does degrade - rapidly - I have an infrared thermometer that is horrible to hold because of that sticky rubberised stuff.
I have never found anything that will remove it. It's a chemical change in the material I think, and permanent.
If it's the 'rubberised' surfaces that have become sticky then it's sadly permanent. They use these high-grip rubberised materials where a good grip is needed, you see them a lot on cheap tools. That stuff does degrade - rapidly - I have an infrared thermometer that is horrible to hold because of that sticky rubberised stuff.
I have never found anything that will remove it. It's a chemical change in the material I think, and permanent.
bladteth
Member
I have two Dell laptops in my household. Both are the same generation/line and have the same rubber coating on the screen lid. One is fine while the other is sticky like you describe, attracting all kinds of particles. No amount of cleaning is helping, unfortunately. The rubber coating is gone, as ubuysa says.
PS. My cat also seems to like sleeping on it. Longhair cat. I'll spare you details of what that does to the surface...
Martinr36
MOST VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
I'll spare you details of what I'd do to the cat 😂😂😂
bladteth
Member
I would not advise anything untoward. She is a fierce cookie.
I know this is off-topic, but cats are superior species. Any time you see a cat walking on the keyboard producing seemingly meaningless string of characters, do not be fooled into thinking it's just a random letter salad. That's the way they are sending encrypted messages and reports to their feline command centres far away.
ubuysa
The BSOD Doctor
My cat just typed this by walking on the keyboard...
To feed or not to feed, that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the cat, to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous hunger,
Or take claws against a lazy human,
And by opposing, end him.
Should I be concerned do you think?
To feed or not to feed, that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the cat, to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous hunger,
Or take claws against a lazy human,
And by opposing, end him.
Should I be concerned do you think?