How to clean scratches off from 3GS?

Chiuy · Jan 14, 2013, 07:36 PM

Hi, I got this old phone that I want to reuse and there are bunch of little scratches on the back of the phone. There also some on the front of the screen.
So, I heard that you can use toothpaste on the back of the phone?
But what about the front? At least to minimize and polish the screen up to make it shine at least.

(Don't really care if something happened, it is an old phone)

merrickdrfc · Jan 15, 2013, 04:15 AM

Not sure about the back, but putting a screen protector on the front glass usually does a good job of hiding small scratches on the screen

John T · Jan 15, 2013, 04:28 AM

The best, and most reliable method to remove scratches and subsequently polish plastic is to use liquid metal polish. Apply with a soft cloth and rub firmly until the imperfections have gone.

Before you do anything, make sure the scratches are actually scratches and not cracks. The back of the 3G and 3GS was particularly susceptible to cracking. Unfortunately here's nothing that can be done about this.

MultiFinder17 · Jan 15, 2013, 07:08 AM

If you happen to know anyone with any kind of shop, there's a good chance that they have a buffing wheel. I've used it to polish up iPhones, and it works like a charm

pat park · Jan 15, 2013, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MultiFinder17

If you happen to know anyone with any kind of shop, there's a good chance that they have a buffing wheel. I've used it to polish up iPhones, and it works like a charm

be careful if using a high rpm buffer. Very easy to burn thru plastic at high speed (high heat).

Jan 14, 2013, 07:36 PM	#1
Chiuy macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2011 Location: NorCal, Bay Area	How to clean scratches off from 3GS? Hi, I got this old phone that I want to reuse and there are bunch of little scratches on the back of the phone. There also some on the front of the screen. So, I heard that you can use toothpaste on the back of the phone? But what about the front? At least to minimize and polish the screen up to make it shine at least. (Don't really care if something happened, it is an old phone) __________________ 13" MacBook Pro 2011, Intel i5 2.3GHz HP Elite, Intel i7 960 @3.2GHz 2GB ATI 5770, 12GB Ram, 1.5TB HD, 22" Samsung PX2370.
	1

Jan 15, 2013, 07:08 AM	#4
MultiFinder17 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Tampa, Florida	If you happen to know anyone with any kind of shop, there's a good chance that they have a buffing wheel. I've used it to polish up iPhones, and it works like a charm __________________ 2.5GHz 2011 iMac, 1.8GHz Rev.F MacBook Air, 32GB iPad mini, and 32GB iPhone 5 as my main drivers. "One more thing - You've waited for this, so here's your PowerBook G5!" - Steve Jobs @ WWDC 2014
	0

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

Jan 15, 2013, 04:15 AM	#2
merrickdrfc macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2011	Not sure about the back, but putting a screen protector on the front glass usually does a good job of hiding small scratches on the screen
	0

Jan 15, 2013, 04:28 AM	#3
John T macrumors 68000 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: UK.	The best, and most reliable method to remove scratches and subsequently polish plastic is to use liquid metal polish. Apply with a soft cloth and rub firmly until the imperfections have gone. Before you do anything, make sure the scratches are actually scratches and not cracks. The back of the 3G and 3GS was particularly susceptible to cracking. Unfortunately here's nothing that can be done about this.
	0