Protection for brushed aluminum lid? (E5520)

I recently purchased an E5520 and overall I really like it however, this brushed aluminum lid is catching fingerprints and I'd prefer not to have to keep cleaning it. Not easy! I checked a few decal sites but I can't really find anything transparent and I'm not sure if the adhesives would wind up causing staining long term. I saw an ad here for Invisi shield but I guess they only do macbooks. Anyone have any ideas?

 

Hrrm... I'd be curious too...

 

I found another thread here that also linked to invisi-shield through zagg.com. I noticed they have shields for the previous gen latitudes, so I've emailed them to ask when they might have them for this newer line. I'll post back when/if they respond. Any other ideas appreciated.

 

The lid is anodized aluminum... the anodizing is a thin layer to protect and color the aluminum. Generally, you would want to protect this layer to preserve its affects. But not its tendency to hold and show fingerprints. So I wonder if 'sealing' it with a thin spray wax would change the surface enough to inhibit fingerprints? I'm not saying you should try it... but I wonder how it would respond to Turtle Wax Express Shine or their Ice synthetic wax... clean with rubbing alcohol, dry, and then wax it.

GK

 

Interesting idea on the wax. Someone recommended Zaino metal wax(?) somewhere on the web but I'm not sure if anyone has really tried it. I'd be concerned about getting the wax on my fingers, might make for slippery typing.

Anyway, just updating the fact that zagg.com did respond to me by saying they don't have the Invisi-shield for the E5520 or E6520 and have no idea when/if they will ever get it. So the search continues...

 

Thanks for letting us know - keep us updated if you find a good solution..

As an aside, my previous Dell (Inspiron 8600) had issues where the keyboard would gently rub against the screen. I went to ShaggyMac and got a very nice protector to place in between the keyboard and screen when closing. Has this been an issue with the more recent Dell's? I'm using it now on the E6520, but don't really know if it's necessary...

 

The newer dells have a rubber strip around the screen bezel which should be enough to keep the screen off the keyboard unless the lid gets really squished I would think.

Updating my own research on protecting the lid, I have come across a product called ProtecaClear which is a metal sealant. It is on the way now and I will be experimenting next week. I'll post results after it dries assuming success.

 

bit off topic but i find that strange. i used to have an inspiron 8600 (lovely lovely machine!!) and i never experienced this problem. even with 8 pints of beer in the same backpack weighing down on it every friday night in preparation for the weekend

 

Heh, that was really the only thing I didn't like about it. It was an exceptionally well made and rugged laptop (traveled in my backpack..every day for a couple of miles). It lasted me seven years and I am *not* easy on laptops. I wouldn't have gotten a new one if the graphics hadn't given up the ghost due to Win7 (higher running temps) and Rivatuner tweaking.. Sadly, I had to come to realize it had really met its end of cycle for my needs, though I would have handed it off to my wife as an upgrade to her icky Toshiba if it hadn't died.

 

My Dell Vostro V13 came with a paper sleeve that lays over the keyboard when you close the lid. That's what I use.