iSucks

March 18, 2005 2:22 PM

I recently purchased a 30GB iPod photo... as in purchased it a week ago. I love it to death except my case is horribly scratched! I'm obviously careful with it and have kept it in my pant pockets but the front and back have all these tiny scratches. It's like they made the case to scratch easily... any ideas that help reduce the tiny, albeit annoying scuffs?

I'm buying a case as we speak to help prevent further scratches. I have to say as an aside (don't mean to spark debate), that while I love the iPod I feel a little ripped off. The headphones crackle, the case scratches horribly easily and all this for a produce I paid a premium for -- oh well.

posted by geoff. to computers & internet (11 answers total)

Oh lord, how the iPod scratches. Definitely get one of the skins. And whatever you do...DO NOT DROP IT. I learned the hard way that a nasty tumble renders certain parts of it (well, mine anyway) inoperable (like the ability to hear music out of my headphones....).

Don't get me wrong, my iPod has made me a happy, happy woman...but I agree with you in feeling a little ripped off. I found it ironic that it was in the process of putting on the protective skin, that it slipped out of my hands and fell to the floor. For $300, I expected a heartier product.
posted by zombiebunny at 2:35 PM on March 18, 2005

Either get used to the scuffing or get one of the latex skins (although they gather dust and hairs in an equally irritating manner.)

I for one don't feel ripped off as I made a concious decision a while back to stop fetishing electrical equipment. I know people who are afraid of their digital cameras, can't take them on day trips incase they get scratched or dented and depreciate in value. I suppose I learned there is more value in using a product daily in a carefree manner than trying to keep it as new. Not that I don't look after my stuff - but keeping buttons and screens shiny is a losing battle. But yeah iPods scratch a lot...
posted by fire&wings at 2:47 PM on March 18, 2005

www.iskin4ipod.com -- problem solved!

my headphones only crackle when used in the winter (-30 celcius); is that potentially a cause?
posted by krunk at 2:50 PM on March 18, 2005

I agree with fire&wings, try to let yourself go a little with regard to the condition. It will never look the same as it did in the box (i.e., amazingly sexy), but if you just avoid dropping it, you'll be treated with a very usable product that simply gathers scratches as part of normal use.

If you'd like to get it back to a pristine state, you can enlist the services of colorwarepc to have it repainted, but after you get it back, take everyone else's advice and put it in a soft case.
posted by odinsdream at 2:51 PM on March 18, 2005

I ditto everyone who said to let go of hoping it won't have scratches- it will. So what. It'll still work.

And with regards to dropping it, I've dropped mine several times, from waist level (it slips coming out of my pocket), and it's been fine (although there is a ding on the outside that would probably void my warranty; that's the only drawback). I also rescued an iPod I saw a woman drop accidently from her pocket down to the subway track below (but not claim- she didn't want seem to want it; just walked away. Weird), and it works perfectly, too. So I've been very happy with the strength of the iPod.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 3:20 PM on March 18, 2005 [1 favorite]

Just give up and do this instead. I got an iSkin case on day one, but yeah, it is meant to be used. Like my bikes, each scratch tells a story.
posted by fixedgear at 3:25 PM on March 18, 2005

I use an Zip case (I have the clickwheel generation which works while in the case) and iCleaner for scratch removal.
posted by scazza at 3:35 PM on March 18, 2005

I've heard that Brasso works wonders on the plastic.
posted by rtimmel at 9:40 PM on March 18, 2005

i just leave mine in the case it came in at all times except when charging, when it only touches the base and my hands. no noticeable scratches so far.
posted by recursive at 8:09 AM on March 19, 2005

Icleaner is suppose to work, though I'm with those who say get use to it. I use to be just like you.

Then I bought a brand new expensive (for me) digital camera and on the first day of the first trip with it it fell on the concrete of an airport. Nothing was damaged except for one corner was scratched and deformed a tiny bit. It drove me crazy. But after that I didn't care if I scratched it, and it turns out I use it much more than I would have before scratching it.

Now I have an ibook that I throw around and bring everywhere. I'm sure it's scratched to hell, but I don't even notice because I don't care. And yet 'polish' for the ibook is used by many owners. I don't get it. It's not an investment, it's a tool that will loose it's function in a matter of years. Use it like hell.

Sorry for the rant.
posted by justgary at 2:44 PM on March 19, 2005

rtimmel is right -- Brasso works. But not on first try. It usually takes a few treatments -- at least, that was my experience. It's way cheaper than iCleaner, at least.

But whatever you do, use it in a well-ventilated room. It stinks to high heaven.
posted by litlnemo at 7:31 AM on March 25, 2005