*Hopefully devRant's compression of images doesn't ruin it.*

The center of the trackpad simply feels smooth because of the oil from my finger.

The keys are oily as well. Specifically the space bar and backspace.

I guess it's time to find a way to clean it. I probably can't save the trackpad lest I damage it.

@FrodoSwaggins
What do you mean by sand? Do you use sandpaper? :0

@FrodoSwaggins
Don't worry, I'm not an idiot. Obviously I won't do that. :)

@FrodoSwaggins my brain saw "nuts" before I finished reading your post and saw this going in a whole different direction.

@Michelle try lens wipes. They are meant to break down and repel oil for a time. If that doesn't work, maybe a little Windex on a paper towel.

@projektaquarius
I'll try that. Thanks!

lenovo thinkpad?

@nickj
Yeah.

@Michelle thats what i use at work too! (when i dont use my laptop at least)

I regularly clean them with cleaning tissues (the ones with alcohol for glass). I don't even know if this is too aggressive 😱

@nickj
I don't work haha. I doubt employers would hire a 16 year old. I use it for personal projects.

@justwellbrock
I doubt it'll cause any damage tho.

I use the same stuff used to clean monitors. I power the computer down, spray a cloth with the cleaner and then wipe each key to remove dirt, oil, etc.

Just use a CLEAN cloth with SOME(!!!) water ... It is the best thing you can do.

rub everything firmly, especially the spots you touch the most and than dry it with another cloth.
Maybe repeat the rubbing an drying 2 or 3 times.

With no pressure and some caution, this works for the LCD as well. Even better than these stupid LCD cleaner.
Doing this for years now and I can proudly say that my laptop still look 'like new' or at least is very tidy and clean.

There is nothing else driving me insane like oily devices. How can you touch this 🤢🤢 how can you even let this happen 🤢 disgusting

Try some of the orange clean or something with a little grit in it. So you have the cleaner with a little sand paper effect without the worry of sanding too hard. I like the light sanding idea but I too agree it's not hard to accidentally go too agressive. It's not that you can't figure it out but should practice on something with similar material before. Also lay off the hand lotion. 😁

@FrodoSwaggins now I'm very interested in trying this, I hate my current trackpad, I'm just a little afraid it would end up really fucked up. What do you use for this?

@FrodoSwaggins awesome thanks! I have an old laptop laying around, will try on that

@FrodoSwaggins
What? You actually do it?? I thought you were kidding :/

@FrodoSwaggins
You're going to damage it tho.

@Michelle lol don’t sand it like your sanding paint or sanding sparkle in a wall. The plastic over the track pad is what, 2 mil thick? We are looking a taking off what, .25 mil? There maybe a measurable capacitive difference but I doubt it would be out of tolerance

@jeeper
Still seems kind of risky.

There are some specific cleaning tools that you can use

Have the same peoblem with my Thinkpad. Please let me know when you solve it. :)

@binop
Will do :)

@Michelle Those smooth spots aren't oil patches. They are just a manifestation of a simple wear and tear. The friction of your fingers rubbed the texture from the keys/touchpad making it smoother. This effect is even more prominent on painted keys as the paint layer is usualy weaker than the plastic base. If you use your keyboard a lot it will happen sooner or later. Fortunately, the only effect is the reduced aestethic value. You can think of it as a Secret Mark of the Programmers Brotherhood - when you see it, you know that you've me a real computer user ;)

@tnnn
Wow really? No wonder I can't get rid of it :(
This laptop is barley a few months old and I already messed it up. Anyway, thank you! :)

@Michelle Yup. Unfortunately it is hard to clean up platic wear ;) I have polished quite a few keyboards myself and I can tell you that the rule is simple - the more you type the faster it happens. Some keyboards are more resistant but the low/mid laptop keyboards aren't particularly good in this regard.

@tnnn
Ah, you seem to know alot about this. I'll try to type slower and softener since not typing isn't an option c:

@Nanos
As was stated earlier, it's not oil, just damaged haha. I cleaned it a millions times but to no avail, but oh well lol.

@Nanos
Yours lasted 30 years while mine lasted barley 3 months haha. I guess this is the life of someone who is both a programmer and a writer.

@Michelle Maybe consider attaching a "normal" keyboard, only use the builtin one when away from home?