MacBook Liquid Damage Repair

Last Updated: 16 May 2026

Common Issues & How We Fix Them

STOP — don’t power on

Every second of power across a wet board accelerates short damage. Hold power button for 10+ seconds.

Don’t put it in rice

Rice does nothing for sealed MacBook chassis. Bring it in.

Why Apple refuses liquid-damaged Macs

Apple’s policy treats liquid-damaged devices as customer-induced damage outside warranty. They’ll quote flat-rate replacement (effectively a new device). We do actual repair.

Ultrasonic board clean

Workshop: full disassembly, logic board ultrasonic bath in 99% IPA at 40°C. Displaces water + contamination.

Component-level repair

Corroded ICs replaced: SMC, power management, charging IC, audio codec common casualties.

Sugary spills (energy drinks, soft drink)

Worse than water — sugar caramelises onto traces. Enzymatic clean + extra workshop time.

Cost vs Apple replacement

Apple’s flat-rate replacement: $1,500-$3,500 depending on model. Our liquid-damage repair: $480-$1,400 depending on damage.

Salt-water damage (beach drops)

Worst-case scenario — salt is highly conductive and corrosive. 24-hour window matters even more. Bring it immediately.

Sensible recovery

Within 24 hours: ~60% full recovery. 24-72 hours: ~40%. After a week: ~20%. Speed matters.

Our Repair Process

1. Free quote.
2. Drop-off or onsite.
3. Workshop turnaround 1-3 days.
4. 90-day warranty.

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