Solved Dell Inspiron 5559 laptop aluminum cover - discolored and scratched

[JBN]

Hi Guys,

In desperate need here... This might not be a big deal for some, but it is for me since my laptop is barely 2 months old...

My aunt accidentally scratched the outside cover of my Dell Inspiron 5559, resulting in several black lines.

I used rubbing alcohol, oil, hand soap and water to remove the black stains (of course, in separate occasions) but to no avail.

Finally, I used 3M Super Duty Auto Scratch Remover. It helped ease the lines a bit but are still visible. Now, I think I used too much because it caused a slight discoloration, as per the attached picture.

1. Can I bring the discolored portion back to the original? (Sigh...)
2. Any other tips for scratch removal?

THANK YOU.

Jo-Ann

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Jo Ann mate if you can get holds of some stuff called Silvo or any silver metal polishing material then try it I do scratched CD's and DVD's like stuff back to normal but it is tedious.
First try a small area at the edge of that mark. Now there is a brass cleaning polish called Brasso DO NOT use it it is solvent based and probably what the stuff you have used is based on - the Silvo is water based and can be thinned a little with rubbing alcohol (methylated spirits) if need be.

Edit: I meant to say use one of those soft microweave clothes or spectacle cleaning cloths to do that and find out if circular motion works better than a straight back and forth motion.

 

[fireberd]

Simichrome polish (also sold at Harley Davidson motorcycle dealers as Harley Davidson polish) is a slight abrasive polish and cleaner. No guarantees either way but something to consider. I use it on polished aluminum to remove hairline scratches.

Mother's Mag and Aluminum wheel polish is similar to Simichrome except its non-abrasive. You could also try that for a cleaner.

But, sadly its probably not going to get changed. It is what it is.

 

[strollin]

Another option would be to cover the laptop with a "skin" that will cover up the existing discoloration and help prevent any similar issues in the future. https://www.decalgirl.com/skins/laptops

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Decal's good idea but I still think if you can get the silver polish which really extremely fine it would be the go as I said it takes the scratches out of the data side of CD's and DVD's but it has to be done by hand. I have done it by making an attachment to spin the CD's and stuff but it generates too much heat

There is one more product that Fireberd's suggestion got me thinking of and it is a purple fine polish I cannot remember the name of it that even polishes out the blue on chrome motorcycle exhaust pipes - usually very expensive out here but you could ask around where you are.

Edit Just a thought maybe you could ask at a car body shop to see what they use for extremely fine finishes.

 

[fireberd]

The Purple "stuff" is OK, and I've tried it and prefer Mother's mag and aluminum for non abrasive cleaners/polish.

For slight abrasive, its Simichrome. "MAAS" (that I forgot on my first post) which is sold at some Wal-Mart's and other places that sell as seen on tv items looks and works exactly like Simichrone (and the Harley Davidson branded clone).

 

[Lance1]

Another option would be to cover the laptop with a "skin" that will cover up the existing discoloration and help prevent any similar issues in the future. https://www.decalgirl.com/skins/laptops

Very Cool! Thanks strollin! I joined the site and designed my laptop cover for only $25! Can't wait to get it.

 

[bigmck]

Decal's good idea but I still think if you can get the silver polish which really extremely fine it would be the go as I said it takes the scratches out of the data side of CD's and DVD's but it has to be done by hand. I have done it by making an attachment to spin the CD's and stuff but it generates too much heat

There is one more product that Fireberd's suggestion got me thinking of and it is a purple fine polish I cannot remember the name of it that even polishes out the blue on chrome motorcycle exhaust pipes - usually very expensive out here but you could ask around where you are.

Edit Just a thought maybe you could ask at a car body shop to see what they use for extremely fine finishes.

I agree with a Decal. Get one of your favorite school, team, or whatever the case may be, the scratch is gone.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Well I think you have most the options covered by us here and myself I would try the polish option and if no go then you still have the decal which is maybe the better way to go.

 

[JBN]

Thank you everyone for your suggestion �� just curious, would vinegar be a bad ideA for the discoloration?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hmm based on the fact that it is a weak acid I wouldn't advise it - if you must try a tiny patch first applying it with one of those cotton bud applicators.

Now I am thinking back and you say it is aluminium but from the pic it looks very much like the lid design of my Toshiba Satelitte laptop and it is made from an acrylic material - that is form of plastic - and hence the clouded look of where you have tried to get rid of the marks.
Now having said that I also remember you saying the scratches were black now if the lid was aluminium the scratches would have shown up as a shiny metallic surface not black - that indicates the surface layer is an acrylic overlay of a main body solid black lid structure.

I still think you should polish and if no go then decal as we have all said now.

A couple of things I found
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7na8kQ78vkQ & Novus Compound Kit 1 & 2 - Polish Up Store obviously an Aussie site but would not hurt to see if you can get this stuff there

 

[JBN]

Thank you ICIT2LOL! Appreciate your thoughts. I actually wasn't sure what the cover material was. It just looked like matte aluminum to me I will try these options. You guys certainly know your stuff. THANKS AGAIN!

 

[ICIT2LOL]

No problems hope things work out for you.