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Has anyone tried to have the aluminum plate replaced at an Apple

I was told by a Genius Bar employee that they can replace the backplate on the iPhone 4 and 4S in the store. Maybe they will be able to replace the iPhone 5 backplate.
 
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.

Sharpie is also not really black and will look terrible.

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Has anyone tried to have the aluminum plate replaced at an Apple

I was told by a Genius Bar employee that they can replace the backplate on the iPhone 4 and 4S in the store. Maybe they will be able to replace the iPhone 5 backplate.

They won't be able to- they'd have to take the whole phone apart.
 
Just use a Sharpie. It's not going to be perfect but nothing is going to be. All you need is to make it look better from a couple feet away and either will be better than aluminum.
 
The Super Black product is basically just a paint pen. It's not what you want. It's meant to apply to painted surfaces or blued steel. It's not going to adhere properly to the iPhone 5. It will rub off and then everyone on the Internet will complain about it.

What may work is Birchwood Casey's Aluma Black (I think that's what it's called), though aluminum alloys are all a bit different and the ones used in guns are not the same as what's used on the iPhone 5, it's the same principle. Basically a touch up anodizing.

If there's any hope of it working, you'll need to clean the area thoroughly with alcohol before applying it. They make a pen product and a bottled one. The bottled one is harder to manage and you'll want to wear gloves, but it works better. Apply the product and let it sit for a while. You may also want to tape off the areas you don't want coated--it may make them blotchy. It will also likely damage the oleophobic coating on the display, so don't get it on there.

Be aware that this is not a paint--nor is the color on the iPhone 5. It is a chemical reaction with the surface layer of the aluminum alloy. If you don't like the results, too bad, you'll be stuck with them. If you spill it on things, it might ruin them. It can cause skin irritation for some people, is toxic, and stinks.

Personally, I think sticking the thing in a case is probably a more convenient option, but if you're hell bent on trying to cover a scratch this would be the product to try.
 
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".

I've just got one, gloss black, and i have tiny spots on the edge of the chamfer all around the edge nearest the screen. I applied a tiny bit and i wasn't happy with the results as the black went onto the slate and was very noticible, i wiped it off in a few rubs.

I suppose if i went in on it under a microscope with some deft touches it might be alright but at the moment it's a no.

Waste of money in my opinion.
 
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