Has anyone tried de-glossing their laptop lids?

Check out this article from Lifehacker:
Use a Scour Pad to De-Gloss Fingerprint Prone Electronics

Summary: Using a Scotch Brite or similar fine-grained pad, you can supposedly buff out the gloss from shiny plastic.

Has anyone here actually done this? If so, how did it turn out? (pictures, please!) I just got an XPS 1647 and am already annoyed with the fingerprints on the lid. Once my return period expires, I'm considering doing this, but obviously I'm very reluctant. The laptop doesn't look bad as-is, it's just a pain in the butt to have to clean it every time I touch it.

 

i only care about the screen. i buy a 3m privacy filter. one side is glossy and one side is matte.

 

It shouldn't look too bad on the white SXPS16. On the black and red ones though... it'll look so terrible...

 

I have OCD and this laptop seems like a nightmare for me. Just know that if you do that, you're permanently damaging it and in my opinion, a laptop with fingerprints looks better that one that's been rubbed down.

 

A bit curious about this one. The website says that they do not have a version for studio xps 1640's, so which one did you buy?

 

I think there are laptop skins you can buy from ebay if you hate glossy lids that much...

 

This is the problem that I had with the LH article I referenced. We got ONE picture of the lid after the buffing. For a postage stamp picture, t looked good, but it would have been nice to see all angles and close-ups at higher resolution. You're right -- if we're finicky enough to hate the fingerprints, we're finicky enough to want to know exactly what the process will do to our laptops, down to the minor imperfections.

 

I just put a Zagg shield on mine. It doesn't eliminate fingerprints, but it does reduce their appearance significantly.

 

Are you referring to the invisible shield stuff? If so, does it come with one for the screen? Also, how difficult is it to apply without getting any air bubbles?

 

No, just the back of the lid and the palm rests. Wasn't that hard, just have to be patient and line it up carefully from the start. Keep it well lubricated with the included spray when applying, and get all the big bubbles out. The small bubbles will disappear after a few days of use.

It also comes with a shield for the touchpad, but I'd suggest you skip on it, as it really ruins the feel. Besides that, they're great.

 

My main concern is, do you use anything for the screen itself? I hear that for some people, there are markings produced on their screen as a result of keyboard scraping against it while the laptop is closed. Is this supposed to be a common problem?

 

If there's oil from your fingers on the keys, it will transfer onto the screen when you close the lid. I also have a Shaggy Mac cloth that I use to prevent this. I don't know if I'd put something over the screen itself. We're already burdened by the stupid plastic covering, I'd be hesitant to put yet another layer of something between my eyes and the actual screen.

 

Oh, that's not really a problem then. The thing is, according to some other posts that I've lost the links to, people are claiming that the keyboard can scratch the screen when the lid is closed.

 

For some people maybe, but not for me. Though the thin traces of oil from the edges of the keys look like scratches, but they wipe right off no issues.

 

If you put it in a backpack or bag, the lid presses down onto the palmrest/keyboard and will get damaged. (no exceptions)

 

Entirely possible, as I haven't traveled with the laptop yet, so I wouldn't know. I think it's a safe bet just to get a Shaggy Mac regardless.

Speaking of Zagg Shield, I just got a 30% off coupon in my e-mail, free to the first one to use it. If you do use it, please post so, so that others don't waste their time trying.

Coupon code: cbzsffjdp

 

^^I've carried my 1647 in my Belkin Messenger bag several times, with my Shaggy Mac protecting inside & w/a Belkin Neoprene sleeve for extra protection on the exterior.

I haven't incurred any scratches or damages.

Cin...

 

I was annoyed by the fingerprint problem, so I just got a sheet of carbon fiber vinyl and did the palmrest and back of the lid. MUCH better now, although the keys still attract fingerprints easily. Due to the curvature of the lid, it can be tricky to get the vinyl wrapped and cut properly.

 

I gotta tell you, I am tempted. I just got my 1647 a few days ago, and the glossiness is very annoying. I got some matte black adhesive vinyl and cut it to fit the wrist area, but this does nothing for the lid, which gets very fingerprinty. I've just been wiping it down occasionally with the slip cover that was included, but this idea of stripping off the glossy layer is intriguing. Still, I don't think I have the guts to do it.

 

The guy that did only used a eeePC to de-gloss that costs like $200, I would be very hesitant to try it on a expensive laptop like a XPS 16.
I'd imagine resale value will go down the toilet if someone did it.

 

resale value going down the toilet 1...2...3...

Plus there are no good pictures just one photoshopped picture.

 

Heh, it's hard to argue for the lessening of the resale value when SO many people complain about the glossiness to begin with. You could almost call it an upgrade!

 

You could but then it depends how nice it looks. It would be much better if there were some candid shots of the finished laptop.

 

No one should do this, by doing this you`ll be taking off little parts of plastic, in another way, you`ll be damagin the lids and covers; it`s like you`ll be sanding it , a non turn back process; whit donpt you just stick some satin vinil over the lid? That`ll be easier.