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kaze0 · Aug 10, 2006, 02:12 PM

Hi guys. Has anyone had a problem with the paint chipping off their MBP? The slanted indentation below the spacebar has had its paint chipped off a bit on mine. I don't even use the computer as a portable, it just sits on my desk which makes it really odd that its been chipped :/

Zeeb · Aug 10, 2006, 03:16 PM

Have you ever worn a metal bracelet while typing? The surface of the MBP is pretty delicate and is very easily scratched if other metal comes in contact with it. I took my MBP out on the plane and the metal belt very lightly came in contact with it. The result? big scratches on the side. I wish they would harden the surface somehow.

dukedailey · Aug 10, 2006, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by Zeeb

I wish they would harden the surface somehow.

Apple would do this, however, the machine (being a giant heatsink) would not dissipate heat as well, requiring more/louder fans.

Gotta love that Apple design!

stwain2003 · Aug 10, 2006, 04:22 PM

Ohhhhh great... Now we're gonna have the TiBook battle allllll over again...

all2ofme · Aug 10, 2006, 07:30 PM

The only painted piece as far as I know is in the same spot it's in on the Powerbooks - the slanted bit between the keyboard and the front edge of the case. Mine's rubbed off quite a lot on my Powerbook.

It's not going to be the problem that it was on the TiBooks.

n8236 · Aug 14, 2006, 05:49 AM

I wear no watches or bracelets and mine started chipping and it's pretty obvious now. I'm gonna excercise my warranty on this. The paint isn't sticking on that metal surface at all somehow. It comes off SO easily. It's like scratching off the film of grey metal on scratcher tickets.

TypeMRT · 11:28 PM

I had the exact same problem: it comes off like a lotto scratcher when scratched by a fingernail (not a bracelet or watch). You can scratch the rest of the MBP the same without problem.
I JUST got the top case replaced by Apple today at no charge! I took it to the Apple Store and had about 3 employees at the Genius Bar confirm it as a "cosmetic defect" and not my fault at all.
Picture of the peeling paint

n8236 · Aug 16, 2006, 03:44 PM

Type, that's a known defect? Really? I never heard of it, but that's good you got it replaced w/o much problems. When I first saw a scratch there I thought it was something dirty and kinda made it worse, ugh. I guess I'll call the AppleStore and see if they know about this and would replace w/o question.

iREZ · Aug 16, 2006, 04:09 PM

how do you guys even manage to touch that area without having a watch on or something else that could fit?

zerroeffect · Aug 16, 2006, 04:48 PM

Exact same thing happened to me. I thought it was a smudge, too and tried to wipe it away but instead the paint peeled off easily and I had a glaring silver mark under the left apple key. The paint is so thin, I couldn't believe it.

Took it to the Apple Store near me and they replaced the top case without question, even though I had been bugging them about the keyboard before (which they also replaced at the same time - but still didn't fix the tilted keys) and the fact mine is refurbished.

You pay for looks as much as performance with an Apple product. Having such an eye sore right near where you type is inexcusable.

all2ofme · Aug 17, 2006, 07:25 AM

On mine it's under the left CMD, Fn, Page down and Right Arrow keys. Each of which I use regularly. There's your answer (in my case, anyway). It's not as if we're trying to peel it off

wowway1 · Aug 17, 2006, 09:04 AM

I always always take my watch off. I've not had any problems with my MBP.

n8236 · 05:45 PM

I visited my local Apple Store at Stonestown Mall in San Francisco and this asshole Genius said it wasn't covered under warranty. He kept questioning me on how it got that way and i just told them i has no abuse or anything, I just play a lot of games and use it often. He told me it would cost 300 bux to repair this pos, phuck no! How should I go about getting this replaced? I didn't tell him it was a cosmetic defect from factory because Apple hasn't announced anything about it. This sucks and it looks really bad. Sigh, i'm wondering if I should call their store and talk to their tech head.

ChrisF · Aug 25, 2006, 05:56 PM

Just noticed my 4-month old MBP is doing the same thing, right below the left command key. Guess I'll see what they can do when I get around to calling about the whine.

n8236 · Aug 25, 2006, 07:20 PM

Well, I even called AppleCare and they said there was nothing they can do. Even talked to a specialist. I might try another Apple Store. This seems kinda hopeless

And God is it ever so ugly. How pressing did you have to be to have it replaced? The Genuis's are good at sweeping problems as end-users.

ChrisF · Aug 30, 2006, 02:58 PM

I just got my MBP 2.0 back from having the whine fixed- same day service at the Apple depot- shipped out Monday, and returned already.
I'd put a note on the computer indicating the chipped paint and requesting a fix but it was ignored, and I have a quiet and cool, yet peeling MacBook Pro.

Samus · Sep 23, 2006, 05:04 PM

I have had the exact same problem with the paint chipping below the fn key on my 15" MBP. For those who think this issue is brought on by abuse, I can confirm that it is not. My paint chipped off when I went to brush away a piece of lint with my finger. It would seem that the paint didn't bond properly on some units.

I took the computer to the Yorkdale Apple Store in Toronto, and after one glance at the computer, they ordered me a replacement top case with no questions asked. I'm waiting for October to come before getting the repair done, since they are swamped in September.

Samus

bleee · Sep 24, 2006, 03:35 PM

Apple should just bite the bullet and replace it before some Mac fan makes a huge stink, creates an online petition than some law firm will pick it up sue Apple, it'll make the front page of Macnn and 2 years later there will be some kind of settlement. They already have enough bad press with exploding batteries, over heating, discolouration of mac books and the list goes on...

dahcar · Sep 25, 2006, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by bleee

Apple should just bite the bullet and replace it before some Mac fan makes a huge stink, creates an online petition than some law firm will pick it up sue Apple, it'll make the front page of Macnn and 2 years later there will be some kind of settlement. They already have enough bad press with exploding batteries, over heating, discolouration of mac books and the list goes on...

come back to reality, man.

Graham UK · Sep 25, 2006, 08:57 PM

If you're insistent with Apple Support they will give you a new top case for this problem. Even though it is technically wear and tear, the paint is so thin it is very easily scratched especially during cleaning. With this, and other issues with the MBP, I do worry about Apple's standards slipping.

Cutia · Sep 26, 2006, 08:56 PM

Yep, just adding my voice to the concerned users of Macbook Pros with peeling paint. I don't think Australia even have an Apple store and if there is one it's probably on the other side of the continent.

tekkie2 · Oct 5, 2006, 08:49 PM

Does anyone know if Apple has admitted to this being a cosmetic issue? Just talked to an Apple Genius regarding this on my macbook and he told me this was the first he saw it and thought I scratched it. All I did was try to remove some dirt. Needles to say they would not fix it. I used my finger nail on the new macbooks at the Apple store and they did not sratch like mine. So I'm sure it's a defect on some machines. How can we escalate this issue!

thanks.

tekkie2 · Oct 5, 2006, 09:54 PM

other forums and a pic of this scratch

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthre...=194944&page=4

n8236 · Oct 5, 2006, 10:41 PM

This issue certainly isn't widely known and i highly doubt they'll announce any type of fix. Your best bet is trying to convince the Genius or if you're having some other problems w/ the palm rest, then you'll have it fixed along with it.

tekkie2 · Oct 6, 2006, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by n8236

This issue certainly isn't widely known and i highly doubt they'll announce any type of fix. Your best bet is trying to convince the Genius or if you're having some other problems w/ the palm rest, then you'll have it fixed along with it.

Did you call Apple Care? This is clearly a cosmetic defect since it's happening in the same place on all the machines mentioned. I'm sure there are more incidents of this. I would have let it go if I did not see that other people were having the same issue in the same place.

tekkie2 · Oct 6, 2006, 06:41 PM

another forum starting

http://www.appledefects.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=234

Eriamjh · Oct 9, 2006, 12:03 PM

Peeling paint is not the same as worn off paint. One is a defect, the other might be abuse.

Keep after Apple. Tell them the paint particles are going into the machine and are going to cause a mobo failure or the like.

iatkinson00 · Jul 13, 2007, 11:49 AM

Same issue but only on the left side of my touch pad. its where my hand rests mos tof the time and the scratches/chipping is the shape of my left side to my thumb and its spaced in the middle where my palm is. Then it comes down where the rist is.

Is there touch up paint for this or is apple doing anything?

bballe336 · Jul 13, 2007, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by dukedailey

Apple would do this, however, the machine (being a giant heatsink) would not dissipate heat as well, requiring more/louder fans.

Gotta love that Apple design!

Harder anodize. Less scratching, same heat dissipation. It's a simple solution, why it hasn't been done is a mystery.

olePigeon · Jul 13, 2007, 04:01 PM

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Paint kit for fixing scratches, peeling, and pot marks for TiBooks.

TI-SCRCONCLR Aluminum Scratch Concealer for G5, G4 Aluminum PB & iSight Camera, Apple Mac and iPod Accessories

Paint kit for fixing scratches, peeling, and pot marks for Aluminum PowerBooks.

sc_markt · Jul 16, 2007, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by TypeMRT

I had the exact same problem: it comes off like a lotto scratcher when scratched by a fingernail (not a bracelet or watch). You can scratch the rest of the MBP the same without problem.
I JUST got the top case replaced by Apple today at no charge! I took it to the Apple Store and had about 3 employees at the Genius Bar confirm it as a "cosmetic defect" and not my fault at all.
Picture of the peeling paint

I'm not calling you a liar but those looked like scratches to me. Anyway, glad that you got Apple to take care of it.

- Mark