White iPhone case damage repair??

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Level 1

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White iPhone case damage repair??

I am gutted that yesterday, I dropped my iPhone (in its belkin case) and it landed on the only exposed side, putting some small "pitting" in the white case on the top corner next to the lock button. The largest "pit" is about 2mm diameter and 1mm deep. I'm a bit undecided what to do about it...

I was thinking maybe using some sort of white epoxy resin or clear resin to fill the pitted area, and then using some careful polishing, smooth it all out...

Anybody got any other ideas? Costs for apple to replace the back??

Thanks

Paul

Sony Vaio Laptop, Windows XP

Posted on Nov 14, 2008 10:43 AM

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Answer 1

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Nov 14, 2008 11:27 AM in response to T2FFN

If Apple will repair the iPhone at all, they would charge a flat fee for the repair. See:

http://www.apple.com/support/iphone/service/faq/#warranty7

If the damage is strictly cosmetic, you may just want to live with it. I would be very hesitant to attempt any sort of repairs myself, if I were you, as if you were to get resin into the works, connectors, etc., you could completely and permanently put the iPhone out of action.

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Answer 2

icebike

Level 3

740 points

Nov 14, 2008 11:41 AM in response to T2FFN

Anybody got any other ideas? Costs for apple to replace the back??

Get a better case, one that hides the damage. Solves the appearance problem
and prevents repeat of this event. Clearly this case did not live up to its claims.

I'm a big fan of full enclosure cases. With iPhones selling like hot-cakes, the status symbol value of flashing the phone around will soon pass, but dents and scratches remain for ever.

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Answer 3

T2FFN Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 14, 2008 11:46 AM in response to T2FFN

I dont like full silicone cases etc, I prefer to use the phone, but slide it into its case when in a pocket etc... a new case won't solve the problem, repairing the damage will. I'm pretty sure careful use of some sort of epoxy applied literally with a needle, would improve the visible damage... just wanted to know if anyone else had tried to repair a crack/pit.

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Answer 4

tokatta

Level 3

869 points

Nov 14, 2008 12:15 PM in response to T2FFN

I used to repair plastics. There is no way to do an invisible repair on this type of plastic. You can fill the pit, but there will always be an edge around the perimeter of the repair so you will always see a line around the edge of the pit from dirt.

Most plastics have cosmetic damage fixed in one of two ways:

1. Sand out the damage and then polish
2. Fill and paint with automotive type acrylic paints

The iphone plastic is probably to thin to sand out the damage without going through the plastic or making it structurally unsound.

Painting a plastic item that is subject to the abuse of a cell phone is not a good idea either.

I would live with the damage and realize that it is a phone, and you will be replacing it in 2 years anyway.

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