As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Touch up your scuffed anodized aluminum
- Thread starter bova80
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Flat Black or Gloss Black?
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Just so you all know. This Birchwood-Casey product is actually an acid that permanently etches metal. I have a bottle of it that I use for blackening brass hinges. It has to be shipped UPS ground as the FAA won't allow acids on airplanes.
If anybody decides to test this stuff out, please post before and after pics and a video if possible.
I just received my BC Super Black(Flat) instant touch up pen to cover a white edge of the back bottom of the iPhone and the chamfer. Some here say it etches into the aluminum, but all it did was sit on it and then easily wiped off. The white edge still showing.
IMO it didn't work. Maybe it will on a nick in the chamfer, but on an edge or flat surface, not so sure. Also, it is black. The sides of the iPhone are slate, and so it does show easily. Since the chamfered edge is black and glossy, people should purchase that pen. just for the chamfer.
The warnings on the package also state "Warning: This product contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer".
IMO it didn't work. Maybe it will on a nick in the chamfer, but on an edge or flat surface, not so sure. Also, it is black. The sides of the iPhone are slate, and so it does show easily. Since the chamfered edge is black and glossy, people should purchase that pen. just for the chamfer.
The warnings on the package also state "Warning: This product contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer".
Pretty sure that the bottled stuff is different.
I've used it on flashlight parts and they really need to be clean and prepped to get good results.
This stuff looks like a simple paint pen.
Exactly. I purchased at a hardware store, a black Krylon Paint Pen, and both had the same results, and both wipe right off.
This may be a bit of an obvious question, but did you let it dry before attempting to wipe it off?
I am very curious to see some before and after results fire away fellas
Sharpie marker is cheaper and much more readily available. Although I think any repair is only going to be temporary short of having the case re-anodized.
Also touching up a scratch will never make the damage disappear... it'll just make it less noticeable.
Also touching up a scratch will never make the damage disappear... it'll just make it less noticeable.
I think the confusion is that Birchwood Casey does make an aluminum blackening fluid that does actually etch the metal, not just a paint. Here it is Aluminum Black I believe it leaves a thin oxide layer on the aluminum.
I have used this stuff on gunparts. Let me say this: it is better than a paint pen, not anywhere close to true anodizing. Your surface must be absoutely clean (i.e. degreased with alcohol), and it still may not work well and rub right off. If it does work, it is better than a Sharpie. If you want to take the trouble, I have actually had best experience of all applying paint over this treatment, for a double-coating.
I have used this stuff on gunparts. Let me say this: it is better than a paint pen, not anywhere close to true anodizing. Your surface must be absoutely clean (i.e. degreased with alcohol), and it still may not work well and rub right off. If it does work, it is better than a Sharpie. If you want to take the trouble, I have actually had best experience of all applying paint over this treatment, for a double-coating.
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.