Apple Watch Paint Damage Repair

[Steve Lainé]

I scuffed my Apple Watch 5 Aluminium Space Grey slightly. I ordered the Birchwood Casey Aluminum Touch-up Pen. It is fantastic. It has not totally colour matched the mark. But what it has done is significantly dull and blacken the exposed Aluminium. I can’t recommend this enough. I wish that I had taken a before photo. However, I have taken an afterwards photo and circled the affected area that was bright silver before using the pen.

 

[sjinsjca]

Give it a dot of a black Sharpie pen. If you don't like the result, you can escalate to paint/nail-polish.

The standard finish is an anodize, not a coating of any sort such as paint. If it is flaking off in multiple places, it could be that the anodization was performed improperly. But it's more likely to be a physical gouge of some sort.


EDIT: Ah, I see @Steve Lainé beat me to it. Same basic principle. Take his advice. I didn't know purpose-built pens of that sort were available! Ideal.

 

[Jjulio2222]

I scuffed my Apple Watch 5 Aluminium Space Grey slightly. I ordered the Birchwood Casey Aluminum Touch-up Pen. It is fantastic. It has not totally colour matched the mark. But what it has done is significantly dull and blacken the exposed Aluminium. I can’t recommend this enough. I wish that I had taken a before photo. However, I have taken an afterwards photo and circled the affected area that was bright silver before using the pen.
View attachment 901219View attachment 901221

Hi, Steve!
Im Brazilian and my Apple Watch is very demage.

what do you advise me?

In Brazil,we just have Super Black Pen.

whould that help me?

 

[44267547]

Hi, Steve!
Im Brazilian and my Apple Watch is very demage. View attachment 916612
what do you advise me?

In Brazil,we just have Super Black Pen.

View attachment 916614

whould that help me?

There’s nothing you can do once the 7000 Series aluminum starts to chip. It’s anodized, so your best option would actually find some type of ‘automotive touchup paint’ and use that as close of a color match grade as possible. A black sharpie will not stop the chipping, it might temporarily hide it, but it will not stop the issue from progressing, as the chipping will worsen once it’s exposed. There’s plenty of threads for others have had similar experiences to yours.

 

[Sirious]

Glad I found this thread - I recently got a tiny chip of my paint at the back, when I was removing a band, on the outer edge (should really put a pic at this point lol). No one knows its there, you can't really see it but I know its there!

Might see if it annoys me enough to get some sort of paint for it, before it gets bigger of course.

 

[Marco123]

My first two Apple Watch were the SS version and my latest is a series 5 alum.
The SS are just not worth the money that Apple want. But it’s extremely disappointing the way the watch is sold.
The sapphire display is exclusive to the SS models and the grey alum paint chips easily.
Personally I just think the way the watch is marketed and sold materials wise is just crooked.
My series 5 alum will be my last Apple Watch. I just find the way Apple sees itself as a luxury tech brand is off and has been since the series 3 watch was introduced.

 

[44267547]

My first two Apple Watch were the SS version and my latest is a series 5 alum.
The SS are just not worth the money that Apple want. But it’s extremely disappointing the way the watch is sold.
The sapphire display is exclusive to the SS models and the grey alum paint chips easily.
Personally I just think the way the watch is marketed and sold materials wise is just crooked.
My series 5 alum will be my last Apple Watch. I just find the way Apple sees itself as a luxury tech brand is off and has been since the series 3 watch was introduced.

After reading hundreds of threads on the Apple Watch forum, I’ve never come across anyone seeing the space gray aluminum chips really easily. I think it’s very possible, but I think it’s very durable as well. It really depends on the type of surface that comes in contact with.

 

[Marco123]

I just don’t understand that with all of the research Apple does on materials that they use aluminium for the watch. Look at the metals Garmin use and yet Apple still use aluminium.

 

[JemTheWire]

Just as a suggestion to the OP. If the paint is not practically repairable, have you considered a case?

 

[44267547]

Just as a suggestion to the OP. If the paint is not practically repairable, have you considered a case?

That’s just as problematic with a case. The reason why, a ‘bumper case‘ will trap moisture and other sediments, which can cause a reaction with the aluminum and rubbing against the aluminum from the case, further exacerbating the issue. It’s a good suggestion, but it’s not an alternative that will Suppress the problem.

If you’re using a touchup paint that’s geared towards automotive uses, at least will provide a ‘protective layer‘ over the Aluminum to prevent the spread of chipping. I’m not trying to override your suggestion, but paint is the best possible solution.

 

[Itinj24]

My first two Apple Watch were the SS version and my latest is a series 5 alum.
The SS are just not worth the money that Apple want. But it’s extremely disappointing the way the watch is sold.
The sapphire display is exclusive to the SS models and the grey alum paint chips easily.
Personally I just think the way the watch is marketed and sold materials wise is just crooked.
My series 5 alum will be my last Apple Watch. I just find the way Apple sees itself as a luxury tech brand is off and has been since the series 3 watch was introduced.

How is it crooked? Lol. You want better materials, then you have to pony up. If you want to be thrifty, then expect poorer quality. Stainless is a more durable metal than aluminum and that’s all there is to it. What you get in the box is clear as day and documented as such. Nobody is trying to cheat or deceive you. You opted for aluminum with the cheaper glass. My first was Aluminum and realized my mistake very fast. Screen scratched easy. I will be getting SS at a minimum from now on because I’m opting to pay for better quality.

 

[Marco123]

I’m sorry but can you really not see the reason for the SS version with sapphire glass?
Apple does it on purpose because the increase in price is not because SS is more valuable, it’s because Apple have convinced buyers that it’s a more precious metal than aluminium for the watch.
There’s absolutely zero reason for Apple to not include the sapphire glass on the aluminium model other than to convince buyers to “upgrade” to the SS model.
That’s the real reason for the two different models.
A SS series 5 will cost £799, how long before it’s over £1000 for one?

 

[Royksöpp]

I just wish Apple could use a solid colored alloy instead of painting it. The darker finishes have had this problem starting with the iPhone 5. The MacBook Pro also suffers this problem. It's really frustrating babying these products, but the thought of scratch is just unbearable.

Here's a Black iPhone 7

And a Space Gray MacBook Pro

 

[Marco123]

I agree, it’s an awful way to manufacture your products but it’s cheap for them and people keep buying them.
My worst was the black iPhone 5, beauty out of the box but looked absolutely awful after a month.

 

[Itinj24]

I’m sorry but can you really not see the reason for the SS version with sapphire glass?
Apple does it on purpose because the increase in price is not because SS is more valuable, it’s because Apple have convinced buyers that it’s a more precious metal than aluminium for the watch.
There’s absolutely zero reason for Apple to not include the sapphire glass on the aluminium model other than to convince buyers to “upgrade” to the SS model.
That’s the real reason for the two different models.
A SS series 5 will cost £799, how long before it’s over £1000 for one?

Price of admission. Car manufacturers do the same with packages. If you want the full leather, you have to pay for other things that are included in the package. My SS watch gets banged around and not a scratch. My aluminum, not so much. Same for my iPhone 11 Pro Max. Aluminum has it’s place in manufacturing of certain products but don’t expect it to look pristine after knocking it around. You want the premium materials, you have to pay the premium price. SS is a more durable metal than aluminum.

10 Differences Between Aluminum and Stainless Steel - Metal Supermarkets

Explore 10 key differences between aluminum & stainless steel at Metal Supermarkets. Learn which metal is right for your project with our comprehensive guide.

www.metalsupermarkets.com

 

[Marco123]

Yes but SS is not a premium material yet Apple have priced it as such. Personally they could have picked better materials for a watch but they don’t.

 

[Itinj24]

Yes but SS is not a premium material yet Apple have priced it as such. Personally they could have picked better materials for a watch but they don’t.

Umm, you mean like titanium and ceramic? They had gold that I’m sure didn’t sell well because of the price. You’re also paying for the software, engineering and R&D that goes into it. What material do you suggest? They offer four options.

 

[Marco123]

I just don’t understand why they keep using aluminium with a grey oxide when it’s continuously having issues with it.
The aluminium when exposed to most wrists will corrode with sweat.
I can think of no other reason to keep using aluminium is because of the huge profit that can be made on it and that it’s so easily mass produced.
But for Apples experience in using materials I personally think they could do so much better.

 

[44267547]

I just don’t understand why they keep using aluminium with a grey oxide when it’s continuously having issues with it.
The aluminium when exposed to most wrists will corrode with sweat.
I can think of no other reason to keep using aluminium is because of the huge profit that can be made on it and that it’s so easily mass produced.But for Apples experience in using materials I personally think they could do so much better.

Wait, what do you mean when they ‘keep having issues with it?’ Apple has produced hundreds of thousands of the aluminum Apple Watch, and we’ve only had a minute sample of members experiencing issues on a site like this. There’s never been any type of mass reporting with the Apple Watch aluminum having major defects. The only concerns documented on here, is chipping due to contact with surfaces, and a reaction with the aluminum due to somebody’s corrosive sweat.

I can think of no other reason to keep using aluminium is because of the huge profit that can be made

1.) Of course Apple is out to make a huge profit, if they Use the more expensive metal casing, that means they would have to up charge the customer more, if they can maximize their profits with the aluminum, then why wouldn’t they use it? It’s the perfect material, it’s lightweight, it’s anodized (which is fairly durable against scratches and scuffs), and it’s easily mass produced.

2.) This is the same 7000 series aluminum that Apple is used on the iPhone 6s/7 housing, and there’s been no major issues with that metal either, so I think you by questioning ‘why do they keep using it’, it’s evident that it’s been clearly successful over the course of five years.

 

[G.McGilli]

I can think of no other reason to keep using aluminium is because of the huge profit that can be made on it and that it’s so easily mass produced.

All the latest rumours show the new iPhone 12s using Stainless Steel for the casing so you may get your wish... Of course... They will have to raise prices I'm sure 🤣

 

[kshitijraina]

Hello,

I have a AW Series 5 Space black aluminium, I use a case on it Caseology Nero but I have noticed that the case is causing white patches on the Watch which is really surprising.
I believe the dust is getting rubbed between the case and the Watch causing this issue.

So people using case should be careful.

 

[ryuworks]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but does anyone with a Series 0-3 Space Grey watch encounter this problem? The chipping and flaking happens inside of the band connecter slots, and getting worse by the day. Paint repair is out of the question and I don't want stray paint on my bands. Just worried if the uneven finish in the slots will scratch the hell out of the lugs on the bands, especially the sport bands.

 

[Abdol]

I don't think you can do anything about it. I wasn't aware of this thread. Your best bet is if it gets to the visible body of the watch just cover it with a tiny drop of nail polish. Keep in mind that the screen and plastic parts shouldn't touch nail polish. It may require some maintenance if there is wear and tear. If you use nail polish you probably have a better idea than me.