How do you repair liquid damage?

Prior to Repair

Before seeking professional repair, perform these steps immediately to minimise the damage the liquid can inflict.

  • Power Off Immediately – up until the point your Mac reaches our store, do not attempt to turn it on yourself. Sending power through the logic board will cause further damage, sometimes permanent.
  • Open your Mac 90° and place the keyboard face down, onto a towel. This will aid the liquid in draining back down through the keyboard, and being caught by the towel.
  • Dry the exterior – using a towel or cloth, make sure every visible part of the Mac is completely dry. A cotton swab is useful for cleaning hard to reach sections like the vents and ports.

Repair Steps

Step 1: Microscopic Assessment

When your Mac arrives, it is immediately taken apart, and the battery is disconnected to avoid further damage from corrosion.
The logic board and other internal components are inspected for signs of liquid. We don’t just look for obvious droplets; we search for corrosion, rust, mineral deposits, and discolouration that indicate liquid damage.
Every affected area is documented in detail, referencing the precise component names (like C5051, ISL9240) to pinpoint the exact locations of damage down to the millimetre.

Step 2: Ultrasonic Bath

The logic board, along with other affected parts (such as ports, cables, and trackpad), is placed in a specialized ultrasonic cleaner filled with a non-conductive cleaning solution.
This cleaner uses high-frequency sound waves to agitate the fluid, creating bubbles and movement that allow the liquid to flow into even the smallest spaces of the electronic circuitry.
The solution effectively removes contaminants like sugary drinks or food residue without harming the logic board. Finally, the board is rinsed off in de-ionized water and dried.

Step 3: Microsoldering

Corroded areas are then treated through “reflowing,” a technique where heat is applied to restore damaged solder joints.
We check all the power lines to confirm they are functioning as expected. If any issues are found, we consult the original factory schematics to identify and replace faulty components.
Once the board successfully powers up, we carefully reassemble the Mac and run comprehensive diagnostics using Apple’s tools to ensure everything is working properly before returning the device.

Next steps:

Phone: 01202 767 929 · 612 Wimborne Road, Winton, Bournemouth, BH9 2EN.