[ltp] Polishing the case of an X20

[Helen Borrie]

Cleaning tips #3  :D

If you want the "toothy" patch to be more like the worn surface surrounding 
it, try a soft cloth that has been wet and wrung out tight.  Dip a small 
pad of this slightly moist cloth in French dressing and gently rub the 
rough patch in a circular motion from the edge to the 
centre.  Periodically, wipe the area with the "clean" part of the cloth and 
work with a fresh pad of dressing.  French dressing = oil + vinegar + salt 
+ water, similar to the body secretions that broke down the textured 
surface and caused the patina on the rest of the case.

To go the other way and restore some of the "tooth" on used cases and 
keyboards, again use a soft cloth.  But, for this purpose, instead of the 
French dressing, dissolve sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) in warm water (2 
teaspoons per 500ml) and use this solution to moisten the cloth.  Care!  If 
the cloth feels "wet" then it's too wet!  You can alternatively use plain 
soda water, the kind you use for mixing drinks, after it has gone "flat".

Best cloth I know for this kind of cleaning is a microfibre "magic" car 
detailing cloth or similar, the kind that looks like fine turkish 
towelling.  (These cloths and the soda water are also great for cleaning 
the LCD monitor, your spectacles,  the viewer of your digital camera, 
mirrors, windows, bathtubs, showers and to freshen up the appearance of a 
dark suit!)

Helen


At 06:14 PM 24/08/2005 -1000, you wrote:
>The shiny keys is a common problem... mine are already shiny on my T40, 
>and that's with using an external keyabord 90% of the time :P
>
>On 8/23/05, Bret Comstock Waldow 
><<mailto:bwaldow@woosh.co.nz>bwaldow@woosh .co.nz > wrote:
>>On Wed, 24 Aug 2005 06:13, Rolf Leggewie wrote:
>> > Hi,
>> >
>> > the X20 I bought off-lease had an inventory sticker on it which I
>> > removed with Isopropanol (a type of alcohol).
>>
>>I'd be surprised if something as benign as isopropyl alcohol damaged the
>>plastic of a Thinkpad case.  Acetone maybe would solve the plastic.
>>
>>
>> > The area where I applied
>> > the solvent looks a bit rougher than the rest of the case now.  I read
>> > somewhere on the net that Thinkpad cases are easy to "polish".  I was
>> > wondering if anyone had a recommendation on what type of cleaner/solvent
>> > to use to get back a smooth finish for the case.
>>
>>I suspect rather that the rest of the case has been worn smooth from use, and
>>the area protected by the sticker has the original 'tooth' still as it came
>>from the factory.  That's what happened when my T21 came off warranty and I
>>removed the stickers.
>>
>>I took them off my T42 as soon as I received it, so the wear will be even.
>>
>>I'm not looking at your machine, so perhaps something else has occurred.  My
>>T21 palmrest and keys are worn shiny from use - the original is a matt
>>finish, and the case felt like fine sand.  Shiny plastic scratches easily, so
>>the original has some roughness.  Cuts down on glare too.
>>
>>Cheers,
>>Bret
>>
>>--
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>>
>
>
>
>--
>Ben Plaut
><mailto:bplaut@gmail.com>bplaut@gmail.com