Black iPhone 5 Looks Awful, Should I Polish The Bezel?

travis.hansen · 08:58 PM

The anodization on the bezel of my black iPhone 5 looks awful now. Apple says they won't do anything about it at this point. (bought on launch day) I'm thinking of polishing it.

I found this video (link below) on youtube that shows one done, it looks nice but I know nothing about sanding/polishing... Any thoughts or ideas? (the before and after photos at the end are like night and day!)

UPDATE 11/9 7:56PM MST: I will be going ahead with the polish. Will post pictures when it's complete

ARSC · Nov 5, 2012, 11:44 PM

post some pictures.

travis.hansen · Nov 5, 2012, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARSC

post some pictures.

Pictures of mine or picture of the polished phone from the video? I'm not sure how I would post pics from a youtube video? I tried just posting the video to this forum but it couldn't figure out how.

lamerica80 · Nov 6, 2012, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travis.hansen

Pictures of mine or picture of the polished phone from the video? I'm not sure how I would post pics from a youtube video? I tried just posting the video to this forum but it couldn't figure out how.

Pictures of your phone off course..

travis.hansen · Nov 6, 2012, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamerica80

Pictures of your phone off course..

Click image for larger version

Name: iphone-2.jpg
Views: 876
Size: 27.9 KB
ID: 375333

I hope you can see, I took the pic with another iPhone. It's pretty much like that all the way around front and back, worse in the back though.

lamerica80 · Nov 6, 2012, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travis.hansen

Attachment 375333

I hope you can see, I took the pic with another iPhone. It's pretty much like that all the way around front and back, worse in the back though.

Thats sucks man. Im still waiting for my black 64. Do you keep in a case?

Sedrick · Nov 6, 2012, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travis.hansen

Attachment 375333

I hope you can see, I took the pic with another iPhone. It's pretty much like that all the way around front and back, worse in the back though.

Damn, that looks worse than my 2 year old iPhone 4. I think a bumper is definitely in order for the iPhone 5.

Hpye · Nov 7, 2012, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travis.hansen

Attachment 375333

I hope you can see, I took the pic with another iPhone. It's pretty much like that all the way around front and back, worse in the back though.

You phone looks old, here is how my iPhone looks like, so beautiful. I use olloclip macro lens for 4s to take this

JayLenochiniMac · Nov 5, 2012, 11:51 PM

I call BS on them. If it has defective anodizing coating it should be replaced under warranty. Mine is still flawless.

Minhimalism · Nov 6, 2012, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayLenochiniMac

I call BS on them. If it has defective anodizing coating it should be replaced under warranty. Mine is still flawless.

It's not scratch proof- it will wear with heavy usage.

travis.hansen · Nov 6, 2012, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayLenochiniMac

I call BS on them. If it has defective anodizing coating it should be replaced under warranty. Mine is still flawless.

We have two Apple stores around my location. I made appointments with both Genius bars and the answer was the same at both, since I purchased it over a month ago it can't be replaced under warranty.

rollingstart · Nov 6, 2012, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travis.hansen

We have two Apple stores around my location. I made appointments with both Genius bars and the answer was the same at both, since I purchased it over a month ago it can't be replaced under warranty.

That doesn't make sense. The warranty is 1 year. I'm assuming you can't claim defective anodized coating, and they're claiming wear and tear?

bushido · Nov 6, 2012, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rollingstart

That doesn't make sense. The warranty is 1 year.

but its not covered by warranty, they claim that kind of scuffing is normal

travis.hansen · Nov 6, 2012, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bushido

but its not covered by warranty, they claim that kind of scuffing is normal

Yeah, what they said, and I quote, "Scuffing is normal over time. We only cover cosmetic issues if it comes that way out of the box".

Blorzoga · Nov 6, 2012, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travis.hansen

We have two Apple stores around my location. I made appointments with both Genius bars and the answer was the same at both, since I purchased it over a month ago it can't be replaced under warranty.

So, iPhones only come with a 1 month warranty?

Archer1440 · Nov 6, 2012, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blorzoga

So, iPhones only come with a 1 month warranty?

Scratching due to user neglect is not a warranty issue.

JayLenochiniMac · Nov 6, 2012, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minhimalism

It's not scratch proof- it will wear with heavy usage.

I'm not talking about being scratch proof. I already know anodizing coating will wear off in the long run. I'm talking about the small batch of iP5 whose black is rubbing off like crazy with normal wiping. Those are truly defective and need to be replaced under warranty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HowardSmith

You need to get out in the REAL world. I have three friends who have no case on their 5 and every one has scratches or other defects and nothing else stays in their pocket. Anodized aluminum is STILL soft and can and WILL be scratched. Just the fact that the aluminum is so soft should tell you that.

A lot of iP5 are predamaged out of the box and that accounts for the vast majority of nicks and scuffs you see. However, if the black is rubbing off like crazy with normal wiping, it has defective anodizing coating. Period.

johannar · Nov 6, 2012, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archer1440

Scratching due to user neglect is not a warranty issue.

Completely agree on this. It is not a part of warranty

travis.hansen · Nov 6, 2012, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevzorus

What colour do they have?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blorzoga

So, iPhones only come with a 1 month warranty?

Their on year warranty doesn't cover cosmetic issues

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minhimalism

I'm sure you can find another reason to have it replaced beyond the cosmetic issues

However, if you want to go that route.. you can't polish it before you bring it in. It'd have to have not been purposely altered in that way to be valid under warranty.

I am not sure a cosmetic alteration like this would necessarily void the warranty. Most of the paint would wear away naturally anyway. I wouldn't tell them I sanded it but that most it was wearing so I rubbed the remainder off.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archer1440

Scratching due to user neglect is not a warranty issue.

I wouldn't call typical use and pocket time "user neglect" but with how much this issue has cost apple they were bound to start making excuses and cutting people off eventually.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by flipn0tic

Wow, it actually looks better that way than the "murdered out" version. Makes it a bit more flashy.

I agree, I like the polished edge look. It still looks like it would come that way from the factory but it has a subtle flashiness.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by flipn0tic

Wow, it actually looks better that way than the "murdered out" version. Makes it a bit more flashy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by isoft7

That video seems like a great way to scratch the hell out of your screen too!

If you watch the " learn how I did this" version of that video the guy recommends removing the front glass before polishing the front edges.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sedrick

Damn, that looks worse than my 2 year old iPhone 4. I think a bumper is definitely in order for the iPhone 5.

I bet even with a bumper it will scratch. Maybe not as fast though

mzd · Nov 6, 2012, 02:17 PM

the "after" pic in the video looks fantastic.
i would like to see high quality photos of the polished version before attempting something like this if it were me though.

Minhimalism · Nov 6, 2012, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travis.hansen

We have two Apple stores around my location. I made appointments with both Genius bars and the answer was the same at both, since I purchased it over a month ago it can't be replaced under warranty.

I'm sure you can find another reason to have it replaced beyond the cosmetic issues

However, if you want to go that route.. you can't polish it before you bring it in. It'd have to have not been purposely altered in that way to be valid under warranty.

mKTank · Nov 6, 2012, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayLenochiniMac

I call BS on them. If it has defective anodizing coating it should be replaced under warranty. Mine is still flawless.

Who gives a crap? That's not the point of the video.

HowardSmith · Nov 6, 2012, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayLenochiniMac

I call BS on them. If it has defective anodizing coating it should be replaced under warranty. Mine is still flawless.

You need to get out in the REAL world. I have three friends who have no case on their 5 and every one has scratches or other defects and nothing else stays in their pocket. Anodized aluminum is STILL soft and can and WILL be scratched. Just the fact that the aluminum is so soft should tell you that.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by rollingstart

That doesn't make sense. The warranty is 1 year. I'm assuming you can't claim defective anodized coating, and they're claiming wear and tear?

Scratching is not a defect!

You car is not warranted against scratches nor is the soft aluminum on your phone!

Nevzorus · Nov 6, 2012, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HowardSmith

You need to get out in the REAL world. I have three friends who have no case on their 5 and every one has scratches or other defects and nothing else stays in their pocket. Anodized aluminum is STILL soft and can and WILL be scratched. Just the fact that the aluminum is so soft should tell you that.[COLOR="#808080"]

What colour do they have?

travis.hansen · Nov 6, 2012, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevzorus

What colour do they have?

I'm going to guess black. The white ones aren't as prone to scuffing

Nov 5, 2012, 11:38 PM	#1
travis.hansen macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2012	Black iPhone 5 Looks Awful, Should I Polish The Bezel? The anodization on the bezel of my black iPhone 5 looks awful now. Apple says they won't do anything about it at this point. (bought on launch day) I'm thinking of polishing it. I found this video (link below) on youtube that shows one done, it looks nice but I know nothing about sanding/polishing... Any thoughts or ideas? (the before and after photos at the end are like night and day!) UPDATE 11/9 7:56PM MST: I will be going ahead with the polish. Will post pictures when it's complete Last edited by travis.hansen; Nov 9, 2012 at 08:58 PM.
	6

Nov 5, 2012, 11:44 PM	#2
ARSC macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2010	post some pictures. __________________ "R.I.P Steve Jobs. Someone who definitely left his mark on this world! Innovations that will live and last forever!!"
	0

Nov 6, 2012, 02:17 PM	#20
mzd macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wisconsin	the "after" pic in the video looks fantastic. i would like to see high quality photos of the polished version before attempting something like this if it were me though. __________________ 2.8 C2E 24" iMac 64GB iPhone 5 www.theclothsea.com
	0

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Nov 5, 2012, 11:51 PM	#9
JayLenochiniMac macrumors 68040 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Sanfrakota	I call BS on them. If it has defective anodizing coating it should be replaced under warranty. Mine is still flawless.
	3