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How do you deal with the 3G's glossy plastic back?

TheSpaz

TheSpaz

macrumors 604
Original poster
Jun 20, 2005
7,032
1
The only thing I hate about my iPhone 3G is that stupid glossy back. I can't seem to keep my hands clean enough to use it without getting it all marked up with finger prints. It drives me slowly insane. I find myself constantly wiping it completely before putting it back in my hip holster. Please note, I tried cases and frankly, I can't stand the bulk they add... plus, if I use a case, I can't put it in my holster anymore and I have to take the case off to dock it.

I'm not worried about scratches, but my 3G is starting to crack by the volume switch and ringer switch too. I'm not a big fan of this plastic other than it gives me better reception.

So my question is... does the plastic bother you the same way it bothers me? I long for an iPhone 3G with a matte, 1-piece back that doesn't scratch.

The glossy plastic was the worst idea. I guess when Apple was designing this, they didn't think about actually touching it.

Note: I've had thoughts about trying to find a way to take the glossy coating off the iPhone by rubbing it or using a chemical, but I have no idea if either of those things will work and I don't want to risk ruining my iPhone completely.
 
I agree. The back is a fingerprint magnet. I use an Incase Slider, which is completely resistant to fingerprints, (Or maybe since it's white idk).
 
I dealt with the problem by buying a white one... no problem!

the first time I saw the black one I knew that my OCD would kill me.
 
I put a strip of clear packing tape over it to protect from simple scratches but then I used some flat black Avery tape that we use to cover chrome trim on BMW's to give it the "Shadowline" look of the M3 and M5. It's great. Durable, scratch resistant and it gives the phone a stealthy look. No bright shiny plastic or chrome Apple logo to be seen.:D
 
benflick said:
The OP has a white iPhone.
Click to expand...

Yes I do.... just the fact that I *know* the 'prints are there bother me. I can see them if I hold it just right in the light, but more importantly, I can feel the greasiness as I hold it. I can't touch my iPhone if I just ate something... I have to wash my hands first. It seems like no matter how I try to keep my hands clean, the natural oils still produce fingerprints and general slime on the back.

Yes, this is why I got white... the black iPhone would absolutely destroy me.

By the way... someone on here was complaining how their iPhone was getting dull from slipping it in and out of his jeans pocket all the time. I wonder if there's a way to do that on purpose. He said the gloss coating was wearing off.
 
benflick said:
The OP has a white iPhone.
Click to expand...

I didn't notice that. :eek:

TheSpaz said:
Yes I do.... just the fact that I *know* the 'prints are there bother me. I can see them if I hold it just right in the light, but more importantly, I can feel the greasiness as I hold it. I can't touch my iPhone if I just ate something... I have to wash my hands first. It seems like no matter how I try to keep my hands clean, the natural oils still produce fingerprints and general slime on the back.

Yes, this is why I got white... the black iPhone would absolutely destroy me.
Click to expand...

I think you have way, way bigger problems than just a glossy backed phone. :p
 
TheSpaz said:
Yes I do.... just the fact that I *know* the 'prints are there bother me. I can see them if I hold it just right in the light, but more importantly, I can feel the greasiness as I hold it. I can't touch my iPhone if I just ate something... I have to wash my hands first. It seems like no matter how I try to keep my hands clean, the natural oils still produce fingerprints and general slime on the back.

Yes, this is why I got white... the black iPhone would absolutely destroy me.

By the way... someone on here was complaining how their iPhone was getting dull from slipping it in and out of his jeans pocket all the time. I wonder if there's a way to do that on purpose. He said the gloss coating was wearing off.
Click to expand...


You remind me of me when I was young... lol, just kidding, I'm probably younger then you are. :D

I used to be a crazy man keeping the finger prints off the back of my iPhone, used to drive me nuts.

Now, I've come to understand that its tough, and I just have to put up with it. Now keeping the iMac clean, now thats a tad easier. :rolleyes:
 
The back of my phone is covered in scratches and smudges. I deal with it by realizing that it is a phone and not a priceless heirloom.
 
I had a SwitchEasy Capsule Rebel case waiting for it as soon as I got my 3G. The back is out of sight, out of mind.

However, there is this air bubble under one corner of the front clear shield that lost its sticky, that is gonna make me go mental one day soon. I have another shield, I'm just seeing how long I can go without finally breaking down and ripping this one off.

It is a daily struggle. :)
 
Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3G (white): Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5H11 Safari/525.20)

Another quality thread from TheSpaz. :rolleyes:

It's a phone. Who cares if the back of it gets scratched!? Do you often hold your phone backwards, examining the plastic case? I tend to hold my phone with the screen facing me, I justfind it easier to use that way. You might give it a shot.

You also might want to see a doctor about your OCD. They have medicine for that, you know. ;)
 
nielsvl I agree the rebel case is pretty sweet and you can hold on to your phone better -so you don't have to worry as much about dropping it.

As for finger prints, I don't waste my time looking for them.
 
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