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composite material on IBM ThinkPads - cleaning?

So... Im assuming the stuff is composite, but I think its a safe guess (or maybe not). Either way, Im talking about the black material that the outside of the ThinkPads are made of. I dont know what sort of cleaning fluid, if any, I should use to best clean the surface.

Separately, I also need to give the keyboard a good clean, any recommendations there?

I have some special LCD screen cleaner cloth thingie for the display itself, and that seems to work fine (but not so well for the outside).

Thanks... ^

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaucho100K

It's rubber coated plastic, any damp cloth will work, but you can use the little damp cleaning cloths they sell at your local office supply store.

Oh... so it turns out I have a rubber/plastic laptop...??!!!!

:eek: :(

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaucho100K

Oh... so it turns out I have a rubber/plastic laptop...??!!!!

:eek: :(

It might make you feel a bit better to know that most ThinkPads are a titanium composite, carbon-fibre reinforced plastic. IBM says it's three times stronger than ABS plastic, while being lighter weight.

Here's IBM's advice for cleaning the case:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Access IBM

Cleaning the cover of your computer

Occasionally clean your computer as follows:

Prepare a mixture of a gentle kitchen-use detergent (one that does not contain abrasive powder or strong chemicals such as acid or alkaline). Use 5 parts water to 1 part detergent.

Absorb the diluted detergent into a sponge.

Squeeze excess liquid from the sponge.

Wipe the cover with the sponge, using a circular motion and taking care not to let any excess liquid drip.

Wipe the surface to remove the detergent.

Rinse the sponge with clean running water.

Wipe the cover with the clean sponge.

Wipe the surface again with a dry, soft lint-free cloth.

Wait for the surface to dry completely and remove any fibers from the cloth.

And since you mentioned the keyboard....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Access IBM

Cleaning your computer keyboard

Absorb some isopropyl rubbing alcohol on a soft, dust-free cloth.

Wipe the keytop surface with the cloth, ensuring no liquid drips on or between the keys.

Allow to dry.

You can use compressed air to remove any crumbs and dust from beneath the keys.

Oh and Gaucho, the Thinkpad doesn't take too well to the dishwasher.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottC

Oh and Gaucho, the Thinkpad doesn't take too well to the dishwasher.

Surely at least the X series does! :D

FewMiles..

We thought about making them dishwasher safe, but removing the cup holder seemed to be a better idea.....

toooooo late.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottC

Oh and Gaucho, the Thinkpad doesn't take too well to the dishwasher.

NOW you tell me... :mad:

:D

Bollar-- thanks for the information... ^

They are actually OK in the top rack of the dishwasher, I read that someplace. :p

Fantastic Wipes (probably some of the others too) work wonders on the outside. I've found for keyboards alcohol is the best (get the cleaning kind if you can, not the 70% from the drugstore), applied with a sponge on a stick (like a mini foam paint brush). The nooks and crannies do a better scrubbing job then q-tips do, but the little sponge on a stick things can be very hard to find, though you can find them at computer shows sometimes.