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Cleaning Teardrop Mice
Posted by: vacputer on 2015-10-12 16:32:17
I've got a couple of teardrop ADB mice that I've cleaned inside and out with alcohol, and they're lovely in most regards.
That said, I can't seem to find a way to remove this ever-so-slight brown/black discolouration in the textured upper body.
I've scrubbed with water. I've scrubbed with alcohol. I've used a pencil eraser.
Nothing seems to remove it.

So, does anyone know how to deal with this, short of repainting my mice?
Posted by: sstaylor on 2015-10-12 17:01:36
The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser seems to clean about anything, even textured plastic items.  Haven't tried it on mice, but that's what I would reach for first.
Posted by: Byrd on 2015-10-13 03:20:45
My regime for cleaning scummy Apple plastics is to disassemble down to just the plastic parts, do a quick scrub with soapy warm water and a toothbrush, then Magic Eraser dipped in soapy warm water 🙂

Posted by: CC_333 on 2015-10-13 11:14:27
Be careful with scrubbers or Mr. Cleaner, though, as you can scrub off the texture (I learned this the hard way).

c
Posted by: olePigeon on 2015-10-13 11:38:24
I'd recommend trying Simple Green Safety Towels, it's my go-to item for general computer cleaning when it comes to dirt.  Great for around the house, too.
Posted by: unity on 2015-10-13 12:08:59
Yeah, ditto on those eraser like pads. They work good because they are basically a form of super fine grit sand paper. I use them for light/gentle cleaning form time to time but thats all. My secret weapon for cleaning stuff is non-bleach Scrubbing Bubbles®™. Its a bathroom cleaner that works wonders. I do not pre-wet, just spray and let soak. Then spray again with another soak. Then a rinse with a cleaning cloth. It will take off most of the dirt if not all.
Posted by: vacputer on 2015-10-13 12:11:05
I've just gone and got a few magic erasers- that said, if there's a risk of damage to the plastic, I'll give some of the other options a go first.
Now to find where I left my can of Scrubbing Bubbles...
Posted by: Byrd on 2015-10-13 13:03:55
Magic Erasers only cause damage if used without sufficient detergent/lubrication in my experience - just take it easy, don't push it down hard and you'll be fine.  Forgot to mention in my other post, when cleaned sit out in the sun to dry.
Posted by: vacputer on 2015-10-13 13:07:34
when cleaned sit out in the sun to dry.
Perhaps this is just a misconception on my part, but isn't this the very last thing you want to do with aging beige ABS?
Posted by: unity on 2015-10-13 13:15:16
Yeah, but a short time wont hurt. I actually just use a hairdryer for most parts.
Posted by: Apache Thunder on 2015-10-13 21:13:03
lol. My wedge shaped Mouse I just got had some minor black smudges on the top. That came right off when I used the rough side of my dish sponge. Just moistened with water and used light scrubbing. Came right off and it's clean with no damage to the plastic. The sponge I used is not strong enough to damage it unless I really really tried to. 😛

I did this with it dis-assembled of coarse. I didn't get any water on the inside of it, so I just wiped it try and put it back together. But I guess some mice are dirtier then others, so might not be as easy for you as it was for me. 😛

Posted by: Byrd on 2015-10-13 22:00:42
Perhaps this is just a misconception on my part, but isn't this the very last thing you want to do with aging beige ABS?
A couple of hours in the sun isn't going to degrade the plastic in any way.
Posted by: ScutBoy on 2015-10-14 06:32:17
A normal pink pencil eraser will work on stubborn dark scuffs. I'll need to try some of the other methods mentioned in this thread.
Posted by: joethezombie on 2015-10-14 07:27:36
A couple of hours in the sun isn't going to degrade the plastic in any way.
And yet when I see eBay items with pictures taken in the sun, I cringe just a little.
Posted by: Byrd on 2015-10-14 16:16:42
Precious much?  It's not going to to do jack.
Posted by: joethezombie on 2015-10-14 16:53:49
DQSzH9WFTNiXyCpYEKvo_golum.jpg

Ha ha!   Oh, I know that the plastic isn't going to brighten into a Simpsons character in just a few hours.  It's completely psychological warfare at this point.
Posted by: CC_333 on 2015-10-14 17:17:04
That's one of the character from Lord Of The Rings, yes? He looks vaguely familliar...

c
Posted by: joethezombie on 2015-10-14 19:22:59
Indeed you are correct!  Gollum refers to the One Ring as "my precious", and it is literally his life.  SPOILERS:  After carefully guarding his first Macintosh in a cave with no light for centuries, he looses it to Bilbo Baggins who promptly places it in the sun to yellow.
Posted by: CC_333 on 2015-10-15 21:13:47
Yes! That's it!!

I watched all three LotR movies, and it was a good series overall, but I think that part 1 was the best. In contrast, Part 2 was a bit too violent, and Part 3 was just kinda strange.

c
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