Cleaning Teardrop Mice

[vacputer]

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?

 

[sstaylor]

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.

 

[Byrd]

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

 

[CC_333]

Be careful with scrubbers or Mr. Cleaner, though, as you can scrub off the texture (I learned this the hard way).

c

 

[olePigeon]

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.

 

[unity]

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.

 

[vacputer]

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...

 

[Byrd]

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.

 

[vacputer]

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?

 

[unity]

Yeah, but a short time wont hurt. I actually just use a hairdryer for most parts.

 

[Apache Thunder]

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.

 

[Byrd]

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.

 

[ScutBoy]

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.

 

[joethezombie]

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.

 

[Byrd]

Precious much?  It's not going to to do jack.

 

[joethezombie]

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.

 

[CC_333]

That's one of the character from Lord Of The Rings, yes? He looks vaguely familliar...

c

 

[joethezombie]

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.

 

[CC_333]

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