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    Touching up a Thinkpad?

    Discussion in 'Notebook Cosmetic Modifications and Custom Builds' started by Trippytiger, Feb 17, 2006.

  1. Trippytiger

    Trippytiger Notebook Consultant

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    Well, as it turns out, that spiffy black paint on the cover of my T43 is a lot less durable than the rest of the notebook, and it hasn't taken well to the inside of my new bag. So, I'm missing a lot of the paint from the top corners, as well as a few random chips. It's minor, but it really bothers me, so I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for fixing that up a bit.

    Mind you, I just want to do a touch-up, not a complete re-painting, so I'm not going to do anything that involves taking the screen apart (at least, not for a while). Taking that into consideration, does anybody have some suggestions for what I might be able to do about this?

    Thanks!
     
    Trippytiger, Feb 17, 2006
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  2. Hucsman

    Hucsman Notebook Consultant

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    Magic marker?
     
    Hucsman, Feb 17, 2006
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  3. Trippytiger

    Trippytiger Notebook Consultant

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    Thought about that, but it wouldn't help. The real problem is finding some sort of paint that would match the stuff on the Thinkpad - it's this curious sparkly flat black stuff.

    I'll post some pictures in a bit.
     
    Trippytiger, Feb 17, 2006
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  4. dr_st

    dr_st Notebook Deity

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    Ask the guys at IBM tech support?
     
    dr_st, Feb 18, 2006
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  5. Jason

    Jason Overclocker NBR Reviewer

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    They would most likely say... send it in, and we will replace the plastic around the cover area. For like $50.
     
    Jason, Feb 18, 2006
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  6. Trippytiger

    Trippytiger Notebook Consultant

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    They'd probably need to replace the whole metal cover. In my searchings, that was the best idea that I was able to find, but I'd rather not have to resort to that...

    So chances are I'm stuck with it like this, eh?
     
    Trippytiger, Feb 18, 2006
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  7. dr_st

    dr_st Notebook Deity

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    Do you think that IBM just replace any cover with the paint a bit scratched off? I'd think that they have the means to repaint it. And perhaps they can share them with you if you ask nicely...
     
    dr_st, Feb 19, 2006
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  8. azntiger1000

    azntiger1000 Notebook Deity

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    lol. If you send in the Thinkpad to IBM, they are going to say "We are going to replace the whole cover" but technically they are just going to put some paint over it and charge you a lot of money. It is defintely not worth it to send it in.
     
    azntiger1000, Feb 19, 2006
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  9. Trippytiger

    Trippytiger Notebook Consultant

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    Well, to be honest, I don't think they'd replace or repaint a cover with missing paint at all, at least not under warranty. It seems pretty trivial for IBM to be concerned about, particularly as this isn't a defect or anything, just wear and tear.

    I suppose it can't hurt to send them an email about it sometime, though.
     
    Trippytiger, Feb 19, 2006
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  10. Jason

    Jason Overclocker NBR Reviewer

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    I seriously doubt IBM would do a custom paint job, I think they will just replace the whole cover. It would be cheaper and faster for them to do so.
     
    Jason, Feb 20, 2006
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  11. Metamorphical

    Metamorphical Good computer user

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    Hows about a prisma color marker?

    Geeze, this is going to sound dorky. <<; But I used them to touch up my lionel model trains.
     
    Metamorphical, Feb 22, 2006
    #11