iPod Scratch Removal

[jay]

I have had several iPods over the years, and now have a car in the Scion xB that has integrated iPod control. I have a black iPod that stays in the car, in the center console. As a result, it collects dust, lint, debris, etc. I clean it regularly with a microfiber cloth, but must have managed to wipe some abrasive material across it recently, as this morning I noticed several scratches in the acrylic.

On other boards, I'd read about Novus Plastic Cleaner and Scratch Remover, and knew I could pick some up at my local Harley dealer. I swung by there today, got the stuff, and lo and behold, it works! I used a polishing cloth made by Vroom that was 100 percent cotton and diaper soft (their terms) that I bought in the auto detailing section at Target, and applied and removed the Scratch Remover. I followed it up with the cleaner , and the iPod scratches are gone.

I was worried about discoloring the click wheel, and tried to be careful to not get the scratch remover on it, but failed. No problem, though, as the cleaner returned the click wheel to its original color.

I wish I could get pictures of the iPod before and after, but can't. You'll just have to settle for pictures of the products. This is the Scratch Remover, $5.95 at the Harley dealer.

[jay]

Cleaner, $3.95 at the Harley dealer.

[Sportymonk]

Thanks Jay. The new iPods are look great. I still have the old Gen 3 iPod (15GB and black and white screen), think it was the last one before the photo model came out. Looks like a brick compared to the new ones but it still works.

[CMasten]

Once you get it all shiny.. go to http://www.bestskinsever.com/servlet/StoreFront and get a mylar jacket for it. Almost impossible to even see it if applied right, this company makes an excellent product, I just did my 5g IPOD and my wifes Nano. They have picts up on their site but let me know if you want better ones, I am really pleased with how they turned out and now dont have to worry about any more scratches and the chrome on the back always looks like it was just taken out of the box.

[jay]

Originally posted by CMasten
Once you get it all shiny.. go to http://www.bestskinsever.com/servlet/StoreFront and get a mylar jacket for it. Almost impossible to even see it if applied right, this company makes an excellent product, I just did my 5g IPOD and my wifes Nano. They have picts up on their site but let me know if you want better ones, I am really pleased with how they turned out and now dont have to worry about any more scratches and the chrome on the back always looks like it was just taken out of the box.

Tell me about the installation process. The use of water and a drop of liquid soap in their FAQs doesn't inspire me that I could get a good, bubble-free install without drowning my iPod.

I'm interested in this, as where the iPod lays in my xB under the parking brake handle, using the OEM iPod integration and cabling to the head unit, there's no room for any case and have it lay flat like I want it too. This appears to be thin enough that it wouldn't be an issue, but would protect the iPod from future scratches.

[CMasten]

It takes a bit of patience to put it on right, but not difficult at all. The liquid allows you to move it around to get the placement exact. Its cut exact and when it dries (overnight) its on there VERY well. I dont even see replacing it. Really tough stuff too.. you can take it off but it would take some work

I used Pledge multipurpose surface cleaner instead of soapy water, but your talking about a VERY small amount of liquid, not enough to hurt your unit.

Here is a shot of the finished product. Everyone I have shown it to, has bought one and loves it. Something else that I didnt consider but is an added benefit is that fact that this skin makes the unit non-skid... almost like having a Wilson Pilot pad built in!

That stuff that appears on the right side is really a reflection of the clouds in the sky not on the surface of the unit

[CMasten]

Here is a better shot of the corners... something the other manufacturers dont do very well.

[CMasten]

Here is a shot of the top fit, near perfect and the shiny chrome back... which is the way it should always be in my optinion, after all this is a work of art

Notice the finish.. very hard to tell there is anything even on it. Not a single bubble anywhere on my unit.

[jay]

Those pics look great. Thanks for sharing!