iPod iPod scratch removal with Brasso

[mrgreen4242]

My wife has a 1G iPod (10gb model) that is (was) really beat up. The screen had significant scratching and scuffing and the back was pretty beat up as well (it IS almost 4 years old after all!).

She never had a case on it (got it used a while back and it was already pretty scratched, so didn't see much of a point), so for Valentines day I got her a pink iSkin and undertook the Great iPod Resurfacing project of '06...

I decided to use Brasso, since it reportedly worked well, and I could get a huge can for $2.70, as opposed to $20 or more for the "specialized" products. I also bought a $1.50 eyeglasses cleaning micro-fiber cloth.

I'm not done yet, I want to give it another pass or two, but these are some pictures of two 45 minute sessions, with just casual effort put into each (I watched a movie and the Olympics while I did it, just rubbing over the whole thing pretty evenly with moderate pressure).

The results are pretty decent, not AMAZING, but really good, imo. Ok, without any further ado, here's the pics.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/infojunkie/sets/72057594064630070/

The screen is looks like a few month old iPod rather than a few year old one (there's a really deep nick that I'm not going to be able to remove). The back is much improved, but has a really deep scratch along with some significant scuffing along with a lot of 'swirling' scratches. I think I can get some more improvements on the back still.

What do you all think?

EDIT: Added a couple more shots, just for a little better comparison.

 

[conditionals]

BAM!

 

[mrgreen4242]

Ya, I saw that page when I was researching ways to clean this up... I wanted to post my results and comments because I've seen quite a bit of discussion whether or not it really works or if it was a 'fluke', etc.

 

[conditionals]

It totally works.

I had a nano that I kept in my pocket with my car keys. It was so badly scratched that children burst into tears whenever I took it out.

When it came time to sell it on eBay (in favour of a sony NW-A3000), I brasso'd it, and it basically became as good as new. It sold for more than retail (it was during the xmas period).

So yeah, it works. Hurrah for Brasso.

 

[KD7IWP]

I used Meguiars Scratch-X for my car and was amazed that it even took out lots of big scratches on my 3G iPod and never took too much buffing either.

 

[Counterfit]

I still advise against using an abrasive to take care of scratches on an iPod, especially for repeated use. Why do you think it says on the can, "Do not use on lacquered surfaces"?

 

[TsuaSai]

Thats looks like a really good improvement to me. I am glad to see this. I am getting ready to get an ipod. But I have been worried as far as scratches go.

 

[mrgreen4242]

I still advise against using an abrasive to take care of scratches on an iPod, especially for repeated use. Why do you think it says on the can, "Do not use on lacquered surfaces"?

There's not much else you could do about scratches on metal or plastic that buff it off with an abrasive compound. What do you think iceCream is (or whatever they sell in Apple stores specifically to remove scratches off iPods and iBooks)?

It says do not used on laquered surfaces because you will rub the laquer off (eventually) which will ruin the finish. iPods AREN'T laquered; they aren't coated with anything at all (they should be though - something more scratch resistant). It's solid pieces of metal and plastic snapped and screwed together.

Sure, you'll eventually rub through the plastic casing (I doubt that you could ever rub through the metal backing), but it would take dozens if not hundreds of applications. However, I think it is much more likely that if someone is taking the hour+ that is needed to completely refinish their iPod they are going to spend the $20 on a case and it won't need to be buffed again.

Buffing an iPod is much more akin to removing scratches from watch faces, which is a specifically mentioned function of Brasso. YMMV but I had good results with it, and so have many other people.

 

[mrgreen4242]

Thats looks like a really good improvement to me. I am glad to see this. I am getting ready to get an ipod. But I have been worried as far as scratches go.

Get a case or skin. Get it BEFORE you buy the iPod. Have it ready the moment you unpack it. Put it on BEFORE you even charge the iPod. Take the plastic off the iPod and hold it with a microfiber cloth while you apply the skin or put it in the case.

I've heard good things about Invisible Shield skins (clear, thin, very strong - iPod looks pretty much stock, which I like), but I've been using cheap ($6 shipped) vinyl skins from decalgirl.com for many months now and my iPod nano looks in good shape. The skins a bit 'ugly' (fits not prefect, not perfectly transparent from all angles) but it's better than having the thing all scratched up.

This beats having to buff the scratches off your iPod, trust me.

 

[Wednesday]

Will Brasso work on bubbles too?

My black iPod was scratched anyway, like most other peoples' but it's now erupted in bubbles all over - I think this was caused by some stray perfume mist. What on earth are these things made of???

Anyway, has anyone else had this problem? Would Brasso work?

 

[Counterfit]

I've heard good things about Invisible Shield skins (clear, thin, very strong - iPod looks pretty much stock, which I like), but I've been using cheap ($6 shipped) vinyl skins from decalgirl.com for many months now and my iPod nano looks in good shape. The skins a bit 'ugly' (fits not prefect, not perfectly transparent from all angles) but it's better than having the thing all scratched up.

I think paying <$20 for an Invisible Skin is better than paying $6 every so often for a cheap vinyl one, especially when you consider that you get free replacements for life on the Invisible Skin.

 

[mrgreen4242]

My black iPod was scratched anyway, like most other peoples' but it's now erupted in bubbles all over - I think this was caused by some stray perfume mist. What on earth are these things made of???

Anyway, has anyone else had this problem? Would Brasso work?

Will remove the scratches, but I imagine the bubbles are gonna be harder if they are very big at all. I would give it a shop, tho, worst that can happen is the scratches go away and the bubbles maybe get a little bitter....

I think paying <$20 for an Invisible Skin is better than paying $6 every so often for a cheap vinyl one, especially when you consider that you get free replacements for life on the Invisible Skin.

I agree. When I bought my nano I hadn't seen an Invisible Skin for them yet, so I got the vinyl one as a stop gap. When it's time to replace it, it will be with an Invisible Skin.