Find tech advice for business here
Go naked: some iPhone cases causing scratches
In an odd twist, cases designed to prevent the iPhone's exterior from scratching actually appear to be causing scratches for some users. A number of posters to Apple's Discussion boards are reporting that the InCase molded rubber sleeve, which is sold through the Apple Store as an authorized accessory, is actually producing blemishes (including scratches) on the iPhone's chrome faceplate border that are visible when the case is removed. Ironically, the same scratches are unlikely to occur on iPhones without cases; when combined with previous reports that some iPhone cases can cause heat problems, it seems an unclothed iPhone may be your best bet.
The problem is most likely to occur with tight-fitting cases (especially rubberized ones like the InCase), and appears to be the result of dirt and other particles being trapped between the casing and the chrome surface.
User ratiosans posted a series of photos depicting the scratches on his flickr page.
As a possible remedy, you may want try using a jewelry wipe or polishing cloth (such as these, priced at $4) or iCleaner (an iPod polishing/cleaning set) to remove the scratches. Do so at your own risk, however, as these items might cause other cosmetic or component damage to the iPhone. Apple has its own instructions for cleaning the iPhone in a Knowledge Base article.
Feedback? info@iphoneatlas.com.
I have the Power Support screen film to protect the touch screen and otherwise use my iPhone 'naked'. There are a couple barely noticeable scratches on the chrome. I use the iKleer spray and cloth that we got to clean our iMacs and iPods, and it works well. It is alcohol and ammonia-free and anti-static, too.
I am still considering a case, but have yet to find one that I REALLY like, and wanted to wait until designers have a chance to test them with the actual product in-hand.
- by bbeacham July 30, 2007 8:56 AM PDT
- I also got the scratches from the INCASE cover just like those pictured above. They will come off but it can be a tedious process. I used 3M?s finest rubbing compound (3M 05933 Perfect-It III Rubbing Compound). It can be found on-line or at any body shop. You probably could get a body shop to give you a teaspoon of it, which would be enough to do a hundred iPhones. It usually sells by the quart for over $20.
- Like this Reply to this comment
-
(4 Comments)You have to use a very fine cloth like a T-shirt and be careful not to get the compound in the tiny crack around the glass. Just get one drop on your rag and then smear it on the rag first so it wont be thick enough to get in the glass crack. You have to rub hard and aggressively (back and forth) on the chrome for about 20 seconds and repeat the process about five times or more depending on how deep your scratches are.
My phone was worse than the one pictured above and it now looks brand new again. I will not be using the INCASE cover any more.