iPhone w/ Brush Metal Trim

MeekB2G · Jul 21, 2007, 05:40 PM

I was one of the unlucky people that purchase the 'Incase' for my iPhone & the metal trim got all scratched due to lint etc. Since I was tired of looking @ the scratches I decided to give my iPhone a brushed metal look instead of leaving it with the scratched chrome. Check out my before & after pics ad let me know what you think. I did one side first then took pics. I'm actually working on the apple symbol on that back right now.

lilnyc · Jul 21, 2007, 05:45 PM

Very niiice

I take my Belkin clear case off once a week to clean the iPhone, but it looks like mine is also scratched on the sides

What did you use to give it the brushed metal look?

ITASOR · Jul 21, 2007, 05:47 PM

Looks good! I would be scared it's going to corrode or something if you rubbed a coating off.

iBookG4user · Jul 21, 2007, 05:48 PM

That looks pretty good, don't think I'd do it to my iPhone though. Nice job though.

UMHurricanes34 · Jul 21, 2007, 05:50 PM

I love it, how'd you do it?

MeekB2G · Jul 21, 2007, 06:09 PM

I used a scotch-brite sponge (rough side) and electric tape to cover the edges of the screen & backing. Took me about 30 min. to do the entire trim. If you plane to do it take your time & be careful. Good Luck to those who are willing to give it a try.

CRIIM44 · Jul 21, 2007, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeekB2G

I used a scotch-brite sponge (rough side) and electric tape to cover the edges of the screen & backing. Took me about 30 min. to do the entire trim. If you plane to do it take your time & be careful. Good Luck to those who are willing to give it a try.

did you take any pics of the process? I want to do something like this

MeekB2G · Jul 21, 2007, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRIIM44

did you take any pics of the process? I want to do something like this

Sorry,but i didn't. I should have takin pictures step by step but i didn't think about it at the time. I will put somthing together right now to give you a basic idea on how i did it.

lilnyc · Jul 21, 2007, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeekB2G

I used a scotch-brite sponge (rough side) and electric tape to cover the edges of the screen & backing. Took me about 30 min. to do the entire trim. If you plane to do it take your time & be careful. Good Luck to those who are willing to give it a try.

Hmm. I don't think I'm confident enough to give it a try, but your thread brought my attention to the damage that can happen with the wrong case, so I changed cases today. Thanks!

speedballs · Jul 21, 2007, 06:45 PM

That actually looks fantastic.
A how-to would be very nice.

jecapaga · Jul 21, 2007, 06:52 PM

wow that looks pretty nice. post some more pics please. so is the bezel actually metal of some sort all the way through or is it plastic with a chrome coating? I would be worried about scratching too deeply and taking the finish completely off.

Daremo · Jul 21, 2007, 06:55 PM

I like the look of that better then the chrome actually. Nice job! Now I know what I will do when my chrome scratches up!

puckhead193 · Jul 21, 2007, 07:09 PM

which case is this that causes it to scratch?

lilnyc · Jul 21, 2007, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puckhead193

which case is this that causes it to scratch?

I can't speak for anyone else, and I hate to blame a case, but I've used this one :

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...duct_Id=374513

I carefully cleaned it before snapping it onto my iPhone, and I have taken real good care of my phone (I haven't tossed it into random cluttered bags/pockets). But after reading this thread, I removed it and sure enough, I also have scratches. I'm going with my DLO Hip Case

http://dlo.com/store/MiniStoreiPhone...showpage&cart=

MeekB2G · Jul 21, 2007, 07:36 PM

OK, I'm not very good and creating How-To's but I'm gonna try anyway. I've already finished the job but I did the process over to show you how I started and how I taped over the screen and back to do this.

Supplies: Electric Tape, Scotch Brite Sponge & (of course) an iPhone

1st: you want to use the electric tape and cover the edge of the screen as close as possible the chrome trim. Repeat for the back also..

2nd: use the Scotch Brite sponge and lightly rub one way & reverse.. Ex. Whichever side you start on first (I did one side @ a time) you want the sponge to meet the two corners. Keep going back n' forth till you get the look you want..

3rd: Because of the tape the corners we're probly covered like mine and you still have a chrome finish on them. This is were you have to be very careful and take your time. Cause you will have to do this freehand unless you have a way to cover the edge of your screen to brush the rest of the chrome. Once you've accomplished that your done.

The pics attached I have tape on the longside of the phone. You would repeat that same tape scheme on the top and bottom of the phone.

This isn't the best of tutorials cause I suck @ these types of things. Feel free to ask me any questions that you may have if you want to try this. Goodluck!

MeekB2G · Jul 21, 2007, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puckhead193

which case is this that causes it to scratch?

I was using the Rubber Incase.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...nplm=TN563LL/A

Maui19 · Jul 21, 2007, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeekB2G

I was using the Rubber Incase.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...nplm=TN563LL/A

I love that case. I have the black one and it makes the phone look really good. Personally, I don't care what happens to the chrome underneath since I keep the case on all the time.

kdarling · Jul 21, 2007, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeekB2G

OK, I'm not very good and creating How-To's but I'm gonna try anyway.

Your instructions are very good. And the finish looks a LOT more costly and posh than the chrome.

Wonder if it needs a clear coat, though? Any experts on the topic?

MeekB2G · Jul 21, 2007, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdarling

Your instructions are very good. And the finish looks a LOT more costly and posh than the chrome.

Wonder if it needs a clear coat, though? Any experts on the topic?

Clear coats would be pretty nice. I will have to look into that. Thanks for the idea 'kdarling'

dominatrix · Jul 21, 2007, 09:57 PM

would be nice a video on youtube..

jessica. · Jul 21, 2007, 10:13 PM

You have nice hands. No I'm kidding...well I am not but anyway...

Quote:

Originally Posted by dominatrix

would be nice a video on youtube..

LMFAO I'm sorry but this just really made me laugh! Hey while you're at it, can you go ahead and give me a step by step process of the purchase of the tape and the scrubber? Did you use the whole scrubber or just a corner? What corner specifically gave you the best results?

I think it looks great and it is a nice alternative to the f'ed up job the damn case seems to do.

ninethirty · Jul 22, 2007, 10:50 AM

Can we see any pics of the phone dead on to see what it looks like from the front? I'm very tempted to do this but I'm posiitive I'll screw it up... also, using the electrical tape on the screen and back of the phone did not leave any sticky residue? I'm just so scared to damage the screen but my chrome also has a lot of scratches on it and personally I think the chrome was an awful design decision...

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeekB2G

OK, I'm not very good and creating How-To's but I'm gonna try anyway. I've already finished the job but I did the process over to show you how I started and how I taped over the screen and back to do this.

Supplies: Electric Tape, Scotch Brite Sponge & (of course) an iPhone

1st: you want to use the electric tape and cover the edge of the screen as close as possible the chrome trim. Repeat for the back also..

2nd: use the Scotch Brite sponge and lightly rub one way & reverse.. Ex. Whichever side you start on first (I did one side @ a time) you want the sponge to meet the two corners. Keep going back n' forth till you get the look you want..

3rd: Because of the tape the corners we're probly covered like mine and you still have a chrome finish on them. This is were you have to be very careful and take your time. Cause you will have to do this freehand unless you have a way to cover the edge of your screen to brush the rest of the chrome. Once you've accomplished that your done.

The pics attached I have tape on the longside of the phone. You would repeat that same tape scheme on the top and bottom of the phone.

This isn't the best of tutorials cause I suck @ these types of things. Feel free to ask me any questions that you may have if you want to try this. Goodluck!

MattyMac · Jul 22, 2007, 12:10 PM

Looks very good...however, I would never do that to my iPhone. I like to keep everything original, especially with apple products and their remarkable resale value.

MeekB2G · Jul 22, 2007, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninethirty

Can we see any pics of the phone dead on to see what it looks like from the front? I'm very tempted to do this but I'm posiitive I'll screw it up... also, using the electrical tape on the screen and back of the phone did not leave any sticky residue? I'm just so scared to damage the screen but my chrome also has a lot of scratches on it and personally I think the chrome was an awful design decision...

Here are pictures of the front, back, top and bottom close-up so you can get a better look. I also have a screen protector on their that is actually coming off. (Thats what the bubble is on the top left of the screen) The electric tape didn't leave any residue what so ever, but it did take off my screen protector when I was taking it off. No worries though i'll just go buy another one. I'm sure you'll be OK, just take your time and don't rush yourself.

lilnyc · Jul 22, 2007, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattyMac

Looks very good...however, I would never do that to my iPhone. I like to keep everything original, especially with apple products and their remarkable resale value.

I'd think it has more re-sale value with his finish than with scratches though, no?

Jul 21, 2007, 05:40 PM	#1
MeekB2G macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Anaheim, California	iPhone w/ Brush Metal Trim I was one of the unlucky people that purchase the 'Incase' for my iPhone & the metal trim got all scratched due to lint etc. Since I was tired of looking @ the scratches I decided to give my iPhone a brushed metal look instead of leaving it with the scratched chrome. Check out my before & after pics ad let me know what you think. I did one side first then took pics. I'm actually working on the apple symbol on that back right now. Attached Thumbnails __________________ There Is No Knowledge That Is Not Power...

Jul 21, 2007, 05:47 PM	#3
ITASOR macrumors 68040 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Oneida, NY	Looks good! I would be scared it's going to corrode or something if you rubbed a coating off. __________________ Alumium MacBook 2.0Ghz C2D \| 2GB RAM \| 320GB HD \| Snow Leopard

Jul 21, 2007, 05:48 PM	#4
iBookG4user macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Southern California	That looks pretty good, don't think I'd do it to my iPhone though. Nice job though. __________________ Canon 40D \| Lenses \| MacBook Pro/Air \| iPhone \| iPod Nano \| Amazon Kindle

Jul 21, 2007, 05:50 PM	#5
UMHurricanes34 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA	I love it, how'd you do it? __________________ Think Different. Mac Pro l MacBook Pro l iMac l TiBook iPhone 3G S⃣ l tv l iPod Follow me on twitter.

Jul 21, 2007, 06:09 PM	#6
MeekB2G Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Anaheim, California	I used a scotch-brite sponge (rough side) and electric tape to cover the edges of the screen & backing. Took me about 30 min. to do the entire trim. If you plane to do it take your time & be careful. Good Luck to those who are willing to give it a try. __________________ There Is No Knowledge That Is Not Power...

Jul 21, 2007, 05:45 PM	#2
lilnyc macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2007	Very niiice I take my Belkin clear case off once a week to clean the iPhone, but it looks like mine is also scratched on the sides What did you use to give it the brushed metal look?

Jul 21, 2007, 06:45 PM	#10
speedballs macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: SLC Utah	That actually looks fantastic. A how-to would be very nice.

Jul 21, 2007, 06:52 PM	#11
jecapaga macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Southern California	very nice wow that looks pretty nice. post some more pics please. so is the bezel actually metal of some sort all the way through or is it plastic with a chrome coating? I would be worried about scratching too deeply and taking the finish completely off.

Jul 21, 2007, 06:55 PM	#12
Daremo macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chicago	I like the look of that better then the chrome actually. Nice job! Now I know what I will do when my chrome scratches up!

Jul 21, 2007, 07:09 PM	#13
puckhead193 macrumors 601 Join Date: May 2004 Location: NY	which case is this that causes it to scratch? __________________ 20" iMac C2D - 2.33GHz, 3 GB ram, ATI X1600 256 MB VRAM 15" pb 1.5 GHZ Rev. C 30 gig ipod 3rd gen, 60 gig 5g ipod ~ white, silver 2GB nano, 64 gig iPod Touch

Jul 21, 2007, 07:36 PM	#15
MeekB2G Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Anaheim, California	OK, I'm not very good and creating How-To's but I'm gonna try anyway. I've already finished the job but I did the process over to show you how I started and how I taped over the screen and back to do this. Supplies: Electric Tape, Scotch Brite Sponge & (of course) an iPhone 1st: you want to use the electric tape and cover the edge of the screen as close as possible the chrome trim. Repeat for the back also.. 2nd: use the Scotch Brite sponge and lightly rub one way & reverse.. Ex. Whichever side you start on first (I did one side @ a time) you want the sponge to meet the two corners. Keep going back n' forth till you get the look you want.. 3rd: Because of the tape the corners we're probly covered like mine and you still have a chrome finish on them. This is were you have to be very careful and take your time. Cause you will have to do this freehand unless you have a way to cover the edge of your screen to brush the rest of the chrome. Once you've accomplished that your done. The pics attached I have tape on the longside of the phone. You would repeat that same tape scheme on the top and bottom of the phone. This isn't the best of tutorials cause I suck @ these types of things. Feel free to ask me any questions that you may have if you want to try this. Goodluck! Attached Thumbnails __________________ There Is No Knowledge That Is Not Power...

Jul 21, 2007, 09:57 PM	#20
dominatrix macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2007	would be nice a video on youtube..

Jul 22, 2007, 12:10 PM	#23
MattyMac macrumors 68000 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NJ/NYC	Looks very good...however, I would never do that to my iPhone. I like to keep everything original, especially with apple products and their remarkable resale value. __________________ 24" iMac - 13" Al MacBook iPhone/iPhone 3G 1G-2G-3G-4G-5G iPod / iPod Photo/ 2G mini / 1G-2G-3G nano / 1G-2G shuffle / iPod touch

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