Laptop skin

Step 4 Test!

This is an important step to check the vinyl adhesive won't damage your laptop.

Take the small piece of vinyl you saved, remove the backing to expose the sticky surface and stick it somewhere discrete on your laptop. Leave it there for some time (I left mine in place for a month). When you feel an appropriate time has passed, remove the vinyl and check that it hasn't caused permanent damage to the laptop casing.

If the laptop is old and you don't care about it you can skip this.

Comments

[nickyfinn]

worse case scenario, you peel the sticker off and you have glue stuck to it. careful not to get any inside cracks and such, rub some olive oil on the plastic with a cotton ball. let it soak a while (like 20 minutes) and come back ready to scratch it off with your nail. a solution of vinegar and water with a rag or paper towel will most likely remove the rest. if that doesn't do the trick, repeat same process. if that doesn't to the trick, repeat same process but this time use orange oil instead. if that doesn't do it, go get some goobegone. i would be wary of using goobegone after reading this: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=668521
but hey.. if my first suggestions didn't work i don't know what else would.

...also, there's a way to remove stickers that results in very minimal specs, if any, of glue. however, this process is 'prolly not good for an electric device. what is this wonder i speak of? i speak of soaking your stickered item in SUPER HOT water and slowly peeling the sticker off. or using a hair dryer while slowly peeling off. aside from these to methods burning you, they also, you know.. might KILL your laptop. so i would only do those if you REALLY DGAF about your laptop ;)

[patt39]

I Found solution, use eraser, gently Rub eraser over the glue residue. It comes off, but you might hurt your hand in the process.

[trustchari]

Don't use vinegar or water. KEROSENE will dissolve the glue of sticker without affecting the color. After removing the sticker, wipe the surface with kerosene soaked in a cotton ball, wipe clean the surface with a yellow cloth

[jacobtriffo]

or you could just use lighter fluid and a rag; methylated spirits, or high grade isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) will also work. the key is to use a solvent to dissolve the glue residue. you can use the equivalent of salad dressing (read: oil and vinegar) to take off the gunk, but really, its going to take longer, and you risk getting said salad dressing inside of your laptop, which if you like the smell of old vinegar could be a good thing, but i personally find it unpleasing.

[spawnos3717]

Lighter fluid and a rag? Sounds like a firewall...ROR

[cmassey1]

The scent of vinegar will dissipate in about half an hour, but the toxic fumes that get into your lungs and the environment from the other things you suggest probably won't before the damage is done. I prefer not to get cancer or to hurt the welfare of other beings, so I'll stick with the vinegar and oil. Yet with either one, I'd be concerned about it getting into my computer. That's why if I do it I'm going for a vinyl cling, which isn't environmentally conscientious either.

[wupme]

I know somebody who did that, but not with isopropyl, no he soaked it in acetone... Its interesting when the black color comes of but looks so ugly... Well after that he payed me 30bucks to spraypaint it (singletone). I know thats not a useful comment, but still interesting what some people do with theyr stuff before they start thinking ;)

[roosta]

the top of my laptop is made of a different plasic to the bottom of it, and so the only way to test it would be to put it straight on the top. what are the chances that it would actually damage the laptop? can you also post a link to the seller you bought yours from please? i dont wanna leave it to chance.

[sms97]

Hi Roosta,

Here is a link to the ebay seller's listing: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180306580466&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:UK:31.

Obviously I can't guarantee the vinyl stickers he's selling won't damage your laptop, as your machine is probably not made from the same material as mine. However, the vinyl I got from him was high quality and did all I wished it to. The other comments given here have sound advice for removing any residue that may be left if and when you choose to remove the skin.

Good luck!

[wupme]

I think you could take a look, there are printable vinyl stickers out there especially made to be removed later without damaging the surface. I actually don't remember the exact name, but they are the same like those special pricetags used on books and stuff wich you can get of without leaving any glue or damaging the book. And as long as the surface is not a nitro based paint (i doubt it is... who is using that stuff anyway today except on stupid expensive guitars?) , it should be no problem to remove it.

[wupme]

But what about a new notebook, where i still don't care if it damages the surface? I mean, afterall... i don't think i'm ever gonna remove the sticker ;)

[oldanvilyoungsmith]

pretty much the only reason to do this is if you care. if you don't care at all then it doesnt matter if it's an old or new laptop.