Removing the Vapour-Mag Layer From My Surface RT.

[Ian Too]

Hi.

I'm a long time owner of an original Surface RT and recently lost a patch of the outer coating on the back about the size of my thumb. It is well out of warranty and still works beautifully, so what I'd like to ask if anyone out there has found a way of removing the outer coating completely, so it can be prepared for painting and varnishing.

I quite like the idea of a cyan Surface.

 

[Chintan Gohel]

Why not paint over it?

 

[xandros9]

Why not paint over it?

Might not stick.

But I dont know. Maybe sanding? I'm no expert on the material at play here.

 

[Ian Too]

Sorry, I didn't see you'd replied.

I have painted it matt black and magnesium takes paint really well, but the vapour-mag layer is thicker than paint and leaves nasty ridges. You'd get a much nicer finish if you could strip it to the bare metal.

I was hoping someone had faced the problem before me and had useful advice.

I've done some research and it seems there are 3 options: paint stripper, acid and sand blasting. I'm not sure either if the first two would work anyway because the surface isn't paint and sand blasting might damage internal components if not done very carefully.

The shame is that everything else shines up beautifully, even the type cover, which responds to a dab of carpet shampoo on a sponge.