MacBook (#6): More on case discoloration, protectant

Users continue to report (in significant numbers) an issue where the MacBook's case becomes discolored with "stains" on either side of the trackpad and other areas on the plastic case.

It appears that this issue is caused by a chemical reaction in the plastic with skin oils.

As described by one reader:

"My white MacBook has been owned for 10 days and mine is a reddish color where my right hand rests and also on the clicker where my right thumb rests. The right side is the worse because I usually leave that hand in place while doing other things with my left hand. Hadn't even noticed that I used a computer this way until this problem developed and I started to pay attention."

Christian Willis adds:

"I have also just noticed this issue last night before reading your news article. The area at the edge to the right of the trackpad (where I rest my right palm while using the trackpad) and the trackpad area itself has began turning a yellowish color. I will attempt cleaning it with 409 (which always did the trick on my previous laptop, an iBook G4) and see it if has any effect."

Possible protectant One MacFixIt reader suggests that the product "303 Aerospace Protectant" -- which offers water and oil repellant qualities -- may work to protect MacBooks from further discoloration.

William Stehlin writes:

"Sounds like porous plastic (maybe not fully outgassed) reacting with body oils. I'm emailing that might be worth trying a product '303 Protectant' which is generally used in outdoor/marine applications to protect latex/vinyl/plastic from UV degradation. It penetrates and bonds. No oils or silicone. I doubt it would restore already yellowed surfaces, but might help prevent initial or further damage."

iBooks also affected Meanwhile, several iBook owners report manifestation of similar discoloration.

One reader writes:

"The observed problems are also clearly visibly on my iBook G4 (around 6 months old). Before that I used a white Dual-USB G3 iBook (the case was not as white as they are now and the handrest was silver rather than grey). After many years the palm rests are certainly worn, but nowhere near as ugly discolored as with the G4 iBook."

Adam Wunn adds:

"I read this article with great interest. I have seen this issue with iBooks for some time now. Specifically with iBook G4's. Some of my customers have reported the green/brown/yellowish stains that don't seem to go away with cleaning. I was finally able to remove them using a lot of elbow grease coupled with the iCleaner polish that purports to fix scratches on iPods and iBooks. I found the product to be mostly disappointing on that front, but it works great with the discoloration issue. So far, the issue has not reappeared for all but one customer. It is pretty embarrassing to open your machine and it looks like you are a mechanic with greasy hands and you never clean your computer."

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage:

• MacBook (#5): Discoloration on case; Reminder: Check your MacBook's rear vent
• MacBook (#4): Keyboard suddenly stops working; Still more on irritating noises; more
• MacBook (#3): Sudden shutdowns -- possible fix; More on irritating noises; Hard drive replacement instructions
• MacBook (#2): Irritating fan noises reminiscent of MacBook Pro ("mooing"); Matched RAM pairs can come from different manufacturers; more
• Apple releases MacBook: 13-inch widescreen display; up to 2 GHz Core Duo; integrated graphics; starts at $1099

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