[NTLK] Saving/Restoring/Cleaning Newton Surfaces?

[Peter Fraser]

This topic has been examined extensively in the car enthusiast world, and there are many YouTube comparison tests that check results from alcohol, makeup remover wipes (Neutrogena is a favorite), Goo-Gone, etc etc.

Again, search on “sticky buttons” (and add your favorite exoticar name, eg Ferrari).

There is actually a whole specialty service area where vendors will receive, clean, and refinish your buttons and bezels and knobs.  Expensively. 

Since - obviously - most newton owners drive Ferraris, and vice versa, none of the above will be news. But for the BMW and other owners, here ya go. 

Sent from my iPhone

— Peter
pjfraser at mac.com

> On Aug 27, 2026, at 3:28 PM, Gene beaird <bgbeaird at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> 
> You probably need to get a concentration that’s stronger then what’s on the pharmacy store shelves, though.  The 5% that’s usually marketed (in the US, at least) does little more than just smell like Isopropyl alcohol.  You’ll want 70% or better.  They make 99%, but availability may be limited, depending on your home country.  
> 
> And I’ve found ’Skin So Soft’ to do NOTHING for the mossies.  Here in the swamps of Texas, anyway.  All it does is makes you smell purdy, and gives me a raging headache.  DEET-containing repellant, or you can her them laughing at you as they land to bite.  But that’s another query.  
> 
> Removing the coating is still going to be a mess, though.  
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Gene Beaird,
> Pearland, Texas
> 
>> On Aug 27, 2026, at 2:00 PM, newtontalk-request at newtontalk.net wrote:
>> 
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2026 13:43:37 -0600
>> From: Grant Hutchinson <splorp at mac.com>
>> To: NewtonTalk List <newtontalk at newtontalk.net>
>> Subject: Re: [NTLK] Saving/Restoring/Cleaning Newton Surfaces?
>> Message-ID: <0A67DA64-F433-496E-A695-6370F20F4085 at mac.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>> 
>> 
>>>> On Aug 23, 2026, at 12:11 PM, apenultimate <apenultimate at fastmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> I have a few Newtons that have been in storage and whose "rubbery" surfaces have started to degrade and feel sticky
>> 
>> This topic pops up on the list every once in a while and I?ve been meaning to add the following suggestions to the Newton FAQ:
>> 
>> Isopropanol
> 
> 
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