Anyone have experience stripping the black paint off of iPhone glass?

[msb3079]

I've searched and searched and cannot find any details as to the method or how people made out doing this. I got an extra black glass iPhone 4 back to strip, to make clear.

I was first going to try to do it without removing the edge... but the metal shielding made that too hard. I had to remove the edging so I was left with just the glass peice. Paint thinner did not work (at all). I had read that someone had just scraped the paint off... which seemed to work. I got most of it scraped off, but there seems to be some residue left over that I cannot get off. At first, it looks like scratches, but up close it does not look or feel like scratches. It feels "rough" while other sections feel smooth. Even after getting 98% of the paint off, paint thinner still doesn't work.. nor does windex (ammonia).

Any other ideas? Anyone else do this? Thanks in advance.

 

[Cynikal.Mindset]

ultra fine steel wool and acetone. The polish with a mild diamond paste buffing compound afterwards if needed

 

[msb3079]

ultra fine steel wool and acetone. The polish with a mild diamond paste buffing compound afterwards if needed

Thanks. I will try that!

 

[Hook'Em2006]

or instead of doing all that, you could go get yourself some paint stripper. Any automotive paint store should have some. Its called Aircraft Paint Stripper. Works awesome. You just paint a little on to the area you want to strip, let it set about 5-10 minutes and the paint comes right off. Just rinse with clean water.

 

[fireshot91]

or instead of doing all that, you could go get yourself some paint stripper. Any automotive paint store should have some. Its called Aircraft Paint Stripper. Works awesome. You just paint a little on to the area you want to strip, let it set about 5-10 minutes and the paint comes right off. Just rinse with clean water.

If you read the OP, you'd see that he already tried that.


Try some heavy-duty chemicals. Abrasive stuff.

 

[drummr]

If you read the OP, you'd see that he already tried that.


Try some heavy-duty chemicals. Abrasive stuff.

Paint thinner and aircraft grade paint stripper are entirely different. The aircraft grade stuff will eat your skin off.

 

[msb3079]

Paint thinner and aircraft grade paint stripper are entirely different. The aircraft grade stuff will eat your skin off.

Hmm... probably should have done that in the first place, then...

 

[zzamud]

aircraft stripper might etch the glass tho

 

[blue43fan]

Or...

http://www.ifixit.com/iPhone-Parts/iPhone-4-Transparent-Rear-Panel-GSM-ATT/IF182-021

If you really want a quality looking clear back, I think this is your best bet. Plus, it's pretty cheap at $29.

 

[msb3079]

Or...

http://www.ifixit.com/iPhone-Parts/iPhone-4-Transparent-Rear-Panel-GSM-ATT/IF182-021

If you really want a quality looking clear back, I think this is your best bet. Plus, it's pretty cheap at $29.

I bought that a few months ago. It's junk, IMO. It's slightly thicker, taller and wider. It's plastic, too.. which is not a big deal. But it just doesn't have the same fit and finish as the OEM, unfortunately. Not sure why they couldn't make it the same dimensions.

 

[Dhelsdon]

That's probably cheaper then buying aircraft grade stripping.

 

[blue43fan]

I bought that a few months ago. It's junk, IMO. It's slightly thicker, taller and wider. It's plastic, too.. which is not a big deal. But it just doesn't have the same fit and finish as the OEM, unfortunately. Not sure why they couldn't make it the same dimensions.

Oh, well then never mind. I saw that back on their site a while ago and thought I'd mention it.

 

[msb3079]

Oh, well then never mind. I saw that back on their site a while ago and thought I'd mention it.

I appreciate the thought though! I wish I did like it.

 

[msb3079]

This is an extra OEM that I have. I wouldn't do it if I only had one.

 

[Mars478]

I did this with a third party orange back. I used some Acetone and put the glass back on the mount. It looked nice until I shattered it on purpose (long story)

But it works. The difficult part is doing the front. I've already sacrificed a few digitizers trying to make them clear. Don't try it.

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I should add it took a LONG time to make look semi-decent... and this was third party, and not Apple's most likely more powerfully attached paint.