Paint rubbed OFF my iP4!?

[iBryton]

As of 1/2/2011, I've been noticing in the corners that there are more "little spots" in every corner. Couple of the spots are showing that "chrome" look to it.

IF it is not chrome, its very black/shiny or some of the spots seem lighter than the finish.

PLEASE do not think I am totally having a mental issue toward this problem. The reason my subject title is like that to get your attention

ORIGINAL POST
Alright, so I was taking off my case today to clean up my phone. I noticed near the corners that the "silver" paint that goes around the phone, I found a little bit of that silver paint, but it looked like the paint rubbed off that it was chrome. In every corner I see a little bit of that silver removed and it looks like chrome.

Ignore that big white spot, that is the flash. The place is that little black spot next to the white spot.

What should I do?

 

[Capt Underpants]

I don't think the aluminum sides are painted. Looks like a nick or scratch.

My advice to you: Don't sweat it.

 

[iBryton]

I don't think the aluminum sides are painted. Looks like a nick or scratch.

My advice to you: Don't sweat it.

Didn't people say that they coated it again? If I scratched the device, how is the aluminum thing turning chrome?

 

[shakeman0]

The band is made of stainless steel. It's most likely just scratched so it lost some of the finish.

 

[vizkiz]

Didn't people say that they coated it again? If I scratched the device, how is the aluminum thing turning chrome?

Certain metals can be finished in a high-polish, and in that case, will look like chrome. Perhaps your case was rubbing the corners and this is what happened.

 

[Infraggable Kru]

what happens is small pieces of dirt/lint/etc get trapped in the case. these particles act like fine sandpaper and polish the matte aluminum into a polished aluminum

 

[wordoflife]

I wouldn't worry about it, its just a phone.

 

[Max.]

I wouldn't worry about it, its just a phone.

That can cost around the $800 mark, I'd say it's fair for him to be a little frustrated.

 

[Infraggable Kru]

That can cost around the $800 mark, I'd say it's fair for him to be a little frustrated.

Apple never said the aluminum would remain perfect for life. Things that are used show signs of usage, no big deal get over it.

My $2000 laptop has a shiny spot on the palm rest/touch pad
My BBS LM rims wrapped in $1200 Tires wear down when I drive

Worrying about a tiny mark on a $699 PHONE is like worrying about a string showing on a fine suit. Yeah it sucks, but only people who can't afford to replace it or have OCD would let it ruin their day

 

[Small White Car]

That can cost around the $800 mark, I'd say it's fair for him to be a little frustrated.

And my $30,000 car has quite a few nicks and dings in it too. Are we doing math here? Should I be 37.5 times as annoyed by that?

No, because I understand that physical objects will show signs of use after time has passed. Same thing with iPhones.

 

[rgarjr]

nothing else to do but to deal with it.

 

[iBryton]

Everybody do me a favor and take off your case and tell me what you see in the corners of your phones..

I'm not frustrated, it has just never happened to any of my iPhones..

 

[Givmeabrek]

It happens to all of them. The case and grit under it polishes the metal. There is no fix. Put the case back on.

In 6 months we'll all be getting the iPhone 5 anyway............

 

[wordoflife]

Everybody do me a favor and take off your case and tell me what you see in the corners of your phones..

I'm not frustrated, it has just never happened to any of my iPhones..

My case is a PITA to take off but I known have some hairline scratched from using it naked and scratches on the chrome.

 

[mad-dog-one]

Now that you have your first dings, you can relax. The next ones, that are certain to follow, shouldn't hurt quite as much.

 

[sandman42]

I don't think the aluminum sides are painted. Looks like a nick or scratch.

Didn't people say that they coated it again? If I scratched the device, how is the aluminum thing turning chrome?

what happens is small pieces of dirt/lint/etc get trapped in the case. these particles act like fine sandpaper and polish the matte aluminum into a polished aluminum

Apple never said the aluminum would remain perfect for life. Things that are used show signs of usage, no big deal get over it.

My case is a PITA to take off but I known have some hairline scratched from using it naked and scratches on the chrome.

Just to clarify a little here, as Shakeman0 already pointed out the metal "band" around the iPhone 4 is the exposed chassis of the phone, and it's made of stainless steel that has a brushed finish. There is no aluminum or chrome, and there's no paint or other coating. If a piece of grit under your case frets (rubs) on the stainless steel it can abrade or polish the brushed finish, making it look different. You might be able to use some fine sandpaper or emery paper, probably 400 grit or so, and rub it in the direction of the original finish to remove the mark, but my guess is you'd just end up with a bigger area with that's noticeably different from the original brushed texture.

 

[QuarterSwede]

Just to clarify a little here, as Shakeman0 already pointed out the metal "band" around the iPhone 4 is the exposed chassis of the phone, and it's made of stainless steel that has a brushed finish. There is no aluminum or chrome, and there's no paint or other coating. If a piece of grit under your case frets (rubs) on the stainless steel it can abrade or polish the brushed finish, making it look different. You might be able to use some fine sandpaper or emery paper, probably 400 grit or so, and rub it in the direction of the original finish to remove the mark, but my guess is you'd just end up with a bigger area with that's noticeably different from the original brushed texture.

+1

It's amazing how many people think it's aluminum.

 

[09283678]

Put the case back on - that way you don't have to see it

Quick question though - what case do you use that gave you that mark?

 

[QuarterSwede]

Quick question though - what case do you use that gave you that mark?

I don't know what case he used but I can say that the bumper causes that pretty badly. I've had my case on since September and mine is all marked up.

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

Everybody do me a favor and take off your case and tell me what you see in the corners of your phones..

I'm not frustrated, it has just never happened to any of my iPhones..

You leave a case on so you don't SEE stuff like this, so No.

 

[wordoflife]

Just to clarify a little here, as Shakeman0 already pointed out the metal "band" around the iPhone 4 is the exposed chassis of the phone, and it's made of stainless steel that has a brushed finish. There is no aluminum or chrome, and there's no paint or other coating. If a piece of grit under your case frets (rubs) on the stainless steel it can abrade or polish the brushed finish, making it look different. You might be able to use some fine sandpaper or emery paper, probably 400 grit or so, and rub it in the direction of the original finish to remove the mark, but my guess is you'd just end up with a bigger area with that's noticeably different from the original brushed texture.

+1

It's amazing how many people think it's aluminum.

I was actually referring to my iPhone, which is a 3GS
My point was that "it's just a phone" and it will show wear and tear.

 

[milamber]

Just don't rub it that way.

 

[CZK]

There is no ''paint'' on your iphone 4 metal band. Its stainless steel that has been sandblasted.

/topic

 

[Infraggable Kru]

Just to clarify a little here, as Shakeman0 already pointed out the metal "band" around the iPhone 4 is the exposed chassis of the phone, and it's made of stainless steel that has a brushed finish. There is no aluminum or chrome, and there's no paint or other coating. If a piece of grit under your case frets (rubs) on the stainless steel it can abrade or polish the brushed finish, making it look different. You might be able to use some fine sandpaper or emery paper, probably 400 grit or so, and rub it in the direction of the original finish to remove the mark, but my guess is you'd just end up with a bigger area with that's noticeably different from the original brushed texture.

Sorry I meant stainless steel

But you are wrong about the sandpaper

Apple uses a Media Blasted Finish

Not a brushed finish

Sanding could cause the finish to get shinier, but more than likely it will just look like you sanded the area in one direction = bad idea

 

[Savor]

If it is still new, I can understand some of the OCD and frustrations with it in the beginning because you probably are still in the honeymoon phase. But over time when we buy a shinier, newer toy, we will get over any flaws over time. Nothing really stays perfect, man. Not from real world abuse. Heck, I noticed how the connector can get scratched up too. Oh well. Just enjoy it anyway. Think of them as battle scars.