I don't like sticky everywhere.

July 9, 2007 3:05 PM

I used some clear adhesive wrist protectors on my white MacBook, and after removing them, all of the adhesive is stuck on my Mac's wrist rest. What is the safest way to clean the gunk off? Goo Gone? iKlear? Something else?
posted by 4ster to Computers & Internet (15 answers total)

Try dilute rubbing alcohol on a cloth. I think that would have very little chance of affecting the plastic.
posted by Dipsomaniac at 3:24 PM on July 9, 2007

I usually get adhesive residue off by rubbing the goop (gently) with a bit of baby oil. It cleans fairly easily and is kind to plastic surfaces.
posted by stefanie at 3:26 PM on July 9, 2007

A pencil eraser such as those white staedler ones will work wonders.
posted by furtive at 3:36 PM on July 9, 2007

vegetable oil works.
posted by MonkeySaltedNuts at 3:42 PM on July 9, 2007

sugar cubes are surprisingly powerful. who knows, it might just work here as well.

this is a guess.
posted by krautland at 3:51 PM on July 9, 2007 [1 favorite]

I've used several citrus based goop removers on my ibook (and other plastic laptops) with no ill effects. However, I never had to remove from an area where the runoff could enter the body itself. I'd be more worried about that than hurting the plastic.

Obviously, test first!
posted by chairface at 4:01 PM on July 9, 2007

A few drops of lighter fluid and your finger. I'm surprised people use anything else for adhesive removal, since naphtha's the only thing that ever works for me.
posted by majick at 4:58 PM on July 9, 2007

I second the lighter fluid. Works like a dream.
posted by drleary at 5:11 PM on July 9, 2007

3rd-ing lighter fluid... It won't leave an oily residue like goo-gone or vegtable oil. Make sure to squirt it onto a paper towel or cloth, not directly on the computer. It spreads quickly.
posted by youngergirl44 at 5:17 PM on July 9, 2007

Response by poster: Will the lighter fluid stain the Macbook plastic or leave a bad smell?
posted by 4ster at 5:20 PM on July 9, 2007

WD-40 works great to remove most left-over adhesive gunk. I've generally found it to be pretty safe on plastics, etc., too.
posted by LairBob at 7:54 PM on July 9, 2007 [1 favorite]

I don't believe so. I used it to take the sticker residue off my laptop (a Dell). I would assume your Mac is made of a similar hard plastic. The smell will be gone once it evaporates - something I can't say happens with goo-gone. You could always try it in a spot on the bottom, but I really don't think there will be a problem.
posted by youngergirl44 at 8:12 PM on July 9, 2007

2nd the WD-40, that's no joke, it was amazing at getting months old duct tape gunk off our wood floor.
posted by Kensational at 8:35 PM on July 9, 2007

Response by poster: All,

I used the alcohol and it worked well with a lot of rubbing the goop off with my finger. I also tried some wd40, and one or the other (or a combination of the 2) had caused the plastic to fade, so now it looks pretty bad. If anyone has any suggestions for how to even things out, it would be great.

But at least the stickiness is gone. Thanks to everyone for your help.
posted by 4ster at 4:26 AM on July 10, 2007

Response by poster: All,

Goo Gone is the way to go here. The Apple Store told me to use iKlear, which did not work. WD40 affected the finish. Goo Gone did the job perfectly.
posted by 4ster at 6:33 PM on July 24, 2007