I dropped my iPhone 3GS 32GB in paint.

[physigory]

Today at work I dropped my iPhone in paint, the screen and everything is working fine except for the speaker and the camera --- help?

 

[thegoldenmackid]

Meaning they both don't work?

And by dropped, do you mean there is some paint on it or was there some submerging.

 

[physigory]

There was submerging, it's completely clean now except there is still some paint in the holes, the headphone jack is working fine, I think that the paint is pushing into the jack though to disable the speaker, the camera is foggy.

 

[Moi un Mouton]

Is this how it looks now? You could sell it

 

[trajen]

Get some mineral spirits and a toothbrush or toothpick and have at it! Good luck!

 

[physigory]

Get some mineral spirits and a toothbrush or toothpick and have at it! Good luck!

Mineral spirits?

 

[alm99]

Mineral spirits?

Paint thinner

 

[physigory]

Paint thinner

Wouldn't that eat away at my phone?

 

[rmb7984]

Wouldn't that eat away at my phone?

I'd try it in a small area first to see. It'll may make the finish on the case hazy. But you don't really have a lot to lose. I mean, your phone has paint on it

 

[yetanotherdave]

Too bad you didn't have the 16Gb 3Gs, those are paint proof

Make sure you don't turn it on, (sounds like it's too late for that though) and take it apart, clean it throughly. I wouldn't have too many hopes for the camera.

 

[physigory]

There's no paint on it, I cleaned that off right after it happened. There's just a small amount inside, and the camera is only hazy, not not working. It's still under warranty...

 

[physigory]

Oh, and the paint is water-based!

 

[-aggie-]

There's no paint on it, I cleaned that off right after it happened. There's just a small amount inside, and the camera is only hazy, not not working. It's still under warranty...

Hate to break this to you, but it's no longer under warranty. Pay $199 for a replacement.

 

[yetanotherdave]

There's no paint on it, I cleaned that off right after it happened. There's just a small amount inside, and the camera is only hazy, not not working. It's still under warranty...

It'll be the paint inside that's causing the problems. And as someone else said, warranty is now void. So either open it and clean it, live with the fuzzy camera/broken speaker, or pay for a $199 replacement.

 

[Badfoot]

So what colour is it now ?. If ok maybe submit as a suggestion to apple for a new model ?

 

[MAJE5T1C]

Just take it apart 3g is very easy to do clean out the paint and buy a speaker and camera from ebay speaker costing around £3 new camera only costing around £8 phone fixed for £11 jobs a gudn

 

[physigory]

The camera and speaker are working just fine now, I guess iphones can endure a lot.

 

[skye12]

Do NOT use paint thinner! I'd either use the phone as is and be content with
its limited abilities or as another suggested, pay the $199 and get a new one.

 

[rmb7984]

Oh, and the paint is water-based!

Then paint thinner isn't necessary. Considering that your warranty is now void, if I was you, I'd take it apart and use a moist toothbrush to remove any remaining paint. That may get it working again.

Good luck!