Does your Dell XPS 13 have a sticky palmrest like mine? I think many Dell XPS 13 owners are also facing this issue and it makes using the laptop very uncomfortable. I have found an easy and affordable solution!
I am thankful for my Dell XPS 13 and still use it these days. I genuinely appreciate the slim and lightweight body, which makes it less burdensome to carry around. The screen is also bright and sharp, the colors are still vibrant, better for my vision. Overall the Dell XPS13 is a speedy laptop that I still rely on at work after all these years.
Dell XPS 13 Rubber Palmrest Became Sticky
Experiencing the smooth rubber-coated palmrest was truly nice at first. It felt undeniably sleek and luxurious. But as time goes by, the permanent rubber coating of the palmrest has gotten super sticky and grimey. There’s a layer of dirt, oil, and all sorts of yucky stuff stuck to it. *shudders* Most critically, it became bothersome to use the laptop as the stickiness became increasingly unbearable.
I have tried to clean this palmrest many times, following methods found online such as using isoprophyl alcohol or water with dishwashing soap. Unfortunately, nothing worked for me. Now that I have cats in the household again, the sticky palmrest is getting dirtier because it attracts loose cat fur. I have already tried running the lint roller over the palmrest to pick up the fur. Sadly it only worsened the condition of the sticky palmrest of my Dell XPS 13, rendering it almost unusable.
The obvious solution is to replace the palmrest entirely, but this part is costly and takes time to order (if it’s even in stock). It also requires someone with a deft hand (ideally a professional’s touch) to disassemble the laptop and install the new palmrest. Inevitably the new palmrest will attract dirt and dust, and become sticky again. So this solution is just not ideal.
Solution to Dell XPS 13 Sticky Palmrest
There’s gotta be a less costly option. So I searched for affordable options online that I could DIY fast. Thankfully I found the solution in pre-made Dell XPS 13 sticky palmrest Black Carbon Vinyl Sticker Cover Film. It costs less than SG$10 and took me less than 5 minutes to attach to the palmrest!
The Dell XPS palmrest skin is already cut to the exact size with all the right cut-outs in place. Super convenient and error-proof. I made only one attempt to attach the vinyl sticker cover film and there was no air bubble in the result. I’d say that was a success. Definitely way less daunting than when I was sticking a protector film on my phone screen.
Here’s the BEFORE and AFTER attaching the Dell XPS palmrest skin.
My sticky Dell XPS 13 palmrest IS REBORN. *happy tears*
After attaching this vinyl sticker cover film, my Dell XPS 13 palmrest is no longer yucky. It is back to a smooth and slick palmrest again. The quality of this vinyl sticker cover film is good. It is neither too thin nor flimsy, so I expect it can weather through a decent amount of use. It is going to be easy to clean from here onwards, just wipe with wet tissue or moist soft towel. Loose cat fur will no longer find permanent residence on my laptop palmrest too, yay.
Solution to Dell XPS 13 Sticky Keyboard
Pleased that I have found an easy and affordable solution to the sticky palmrest, I noticed that the keyboard needed attention as well. The grooves between the keyboard had become sticky and dirty. Even though I had tried to use moist q-tips to clean the narrow gaps, that did not work so well. I’m on a roll, so I also purchased a keyboard protector (less than SG$4).
The size of this keyboard protector aligned with my Dell XPS 13 keyboard perfectly. But I noticed that some of the printed indicators do not match with the original keys. I don’t think it will affect the function of these keys though, right?
Dust Plugs
Last but not least, I also “splurged” on a set of dust plugs to keep loose cat fur out. The 16-piece set costs less than SG$2 and the extra ones are good to have around as backup.
Shopping List:
• Black Carbon Vinyl Skin Sticker Cover Film from Shopee SG
You can buy the vinyl sticker cover film for the palmrest only (SG$8.75), or the 3-piece set (SG$14.62) which includes cover film for laptop cover and bottom. I bought the 3-piece set but chose to attach the palmrest sticker only for now since that required immediate solution. I’m not sure yet if I want to fully transform the exterior look of my Dell XPS 13 using the other two stickers.
• Keyboard Protector and Dust Plugs from Shopee SG
The keyboard protector comes in a few different colors (gradation pink! pastel multi-colors!), but I kept it simple and ordered black. The dust plugs come in black only.
The total cost for me to revive my Dell XPS 13 laptop palmrest and keyboard was around SG$20. Whoohoo!!! My next step would be to replace the battery which will require professional help. For now, I am enjoying my Dell XPS 13 again since the palmrest and keyboard are no longer sticky and grimey.
