Even though I've been very careful, my iPhone 4 has still managed to get some scratches. I've been tempted to try some scratch removal products or even maybe good ole white toothpaste. However, since the iPhone has an oleo-phobic covering, I'm concerned about how any of the products might effect the screen. Does anyone have any suggestions?
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Removing iPhone 4 scratches?
- Thread starter SeemsCool2Me
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I also got a small scratch on the front and a similar one on the back that catches my fingernail when i run it across it but is only visible when the screen is off. I have absolutely no idea how they got there (on Day 2) as I am extremely careful with my iphone.
I ended up putting a Zagg shield on my phone and you cannot find the scratches at all (even with the screen off). However, I am so used to having my phone naked and would really like to try the toothpaste solution but am not sure what the oleophobic coating is and how using toothpaste to remove the scratches would negatively impact my phone?? Can some one please explain?
Any one find any alternative to removing scratches??
I ended up putting a Zagg shield on my phone and you cannot find the scratches at all (even with the screen off). However, I am so used to having my phone naked and would really like to try the toothpaste solution but am not sure what the oleophobic coating is and how using toothpaste to remove the scratches would negatively impact my phone?? Can some one please explain?
Any one find any alternative to removing scratches??
i'm pretty sure the rubbing compound will remove the oleophobic coating, which is what i'm trying to avoid...
Any abrasive product will remove that coating. And, actually, I don't even think toothpaste or anything like that would remove a scratch from "gorilla" glass. From plastic? Sure. But I doubt it would work on this glass.
Maybe you could try it first on some other glass like a window or glass table.
Maybe you could try it first on some other glass like a window or glass table.
Then there's no way to do it...maybe fill it in, but that might look bad. Anyone know of any scratch fillers? I can only think of ones for cars...(go to Kragen or likewise, look at anything that says "Swirl and scratch remover" and in the directions, it MUST say to put it on, let it sit/dry, and wipe it off. If it says to rub it in, that's better for cars, but not for this situation).
Back in the days of plastic screens, STP "Son of a Gun" car product used to work wonders on buffing out minor scratches. Aah, the olden days.
Since we're dealing with glass now, here's a recommendation to use something called "Jeweler's Rouge" http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/225889/how_to_remove_scratches_from_glass.html
I haven't personally tried it though, I slapped an Invisible Shield on front/back as soon as I could. Doesn't look as great as naked glass, but no scratches either.
Some of the recommendations for cleaning glass (such as ammonia), I would personally stay away from because of the oleophobic coating.
Since we're dealing with glass now, here's a recommendation to use something called "Jeweler's Rouge" http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/225889/how_to_remove_scratches_from_glass.html
I haven't personally tried it though, I slapped an Invisible Shield on front/back as soon as I could. Doesn't look as great as naked glass, but no scratches either.
Some of the recommendations for cleaning glass (such as ammonia), I would personally stay away from because of the oleophobic coating.
one thing i was thinking was that since i want to put a screen protector on here anyways, and screen protectors alone can mess with the oleophobic coating, i might as well just try to remove the whole coating and then try to fix the scratches. after that i'll just put the screen protector on and i'll be in business. granted, this is all in theory. i've never tried removing the coating before...
You are going to be disappointed if you set out to remove that coating. You would need to remove it uniformly and since that is hard to do, you will end up with an eye sore for a phone. You'll turn that scratch that only you can see if you turn it to the light into an absolute mess. But, your choice, do take before and after pics please.
Hes right, don't mess with it... I had a scratch on my 3GS and I tried to remove it, but only made things worse. Polish removes the coating, even you're able to remove all of it, which would be quite a task, you'll probably be left with a rainbow effect on the original scratch. I wound up replacing my whole glass/digitizer after that happened.
I also got a couple scratches in the front of my iphone 4, kind of disappointing.
I don't worry about the scratches too much. Usually my iPhone only lasts a few months before something goes wrong with it and it's replaced at the Genius bar anyway. They've already offered to replace mine due to the camera yellowing (although they say it should be fixed in the software update) but i just spent $30 on my Invisible Shield so I decided to wait. 
Hi everyone, just wanted to let you know i tried toothpaste to get out a minor scratch on my iphone 4, and it made it completely worse. It also rubbed off the coating and is very noticeable, so DONT use toothpaste! Im really overprotective over my iphone, yet it still manages to get minor scratches on it. going to get a zagg shield soon, this phone is way to delicate compared to the 3g and 3gs.
going to get a zagg shield soon, this phone is way to delicate compared to the 3g and 3gs.Toothpaste is a trick for old watches
Like this old classic one I inherited, the crystal on it is the last one they made that was not scratch resistant. To replace it with one that is would reduce its value. Do not rub anything but soft non-abrasive tissue on that screen and get a screen protector to reduce the chances of further damage.
Hi everyone, just wanted to let you know i tried toothpaste to get out a minor scratch on my iphone 4, and it made it completely worse. It also rubbed off the coating and is very noticeable, so DONT use toothpaste! Im really overprotective over my iphone, yet it still manages to get minor scratches on it.
Like this old classic one I inherited, the crystal on it is the last one they made that was not scratch resistant. To replace it with one that is would reduce its value. Do not rub anything but soft non-abrasive tissue on that screen and get a screen protector to reduce the chances of further damage.
I can second that advice!
Car paint and furniture etc are different as they are covered with a lacquer coating (for cosmesis but more importantly for protection) which is quite thick. All the above mentioned products are designed to shave down the lacquer coat (and give a smooth result) while still leaving sufficient lacquer for protection.
Since a Phone is only designed to be used for a relatively short time (1-2 years) it's structure is different. I destroyed a phone a few years ago trying to remove scratches.
My advice... leave them and don't worry about them... You'll make it worse and then wish you had the original scratch!
I have two minuscule scratches on the front of my iPhone 4. They are only a couple of millimeters in length and are finer than a hair. You can't feel them with your nail and only I can see them.
I don't know how this happened as I have this protector on my phone www.optgear.com/p-2.php?lang=en&ProID=39 and I clean it with a microfibre cloth every day.
How can I get rid of these minute scratches? I am anal about them because I want to sell it next year and buy the next iPhone. My gf can't see the scratches I'm talking about, but they are there if you get it on the right angle in the right light.
Any idea how they could have got there, the opt armour is only taken off to clean it and its put straight back?
I don't know how this happened as I have this protector on my phone www.optgear.com/p-2.php?lang=en&ProID=39 and I clean it with a microfibre cloth every day.
How can I get rid of these minute scratches? I am anal about them because I want to sell it next year and buy the next iPhone. My gf can't see the scratches I'm talking about, but they are there if you get it on the right angle in the right light.
Any idea how they could have got there, the opt armour is only taken off to clean it and its put straight back?
Sorry to revive an old thread, but I actually used a Porter-Cable on my iPad 2 and it worked great...removed the coating completely and the screen is better than new. Check this thread for more info.