As the tittle implies I'm trying to figure out what "kind" of metal it has so I could try some ways to get rid of the scratches and basically look new again...it is possible, anyone know if it's aluminum? Metal. ..chrome plated?
"fighting as one hand one heart, one soul. We will shatter their dreams and haunt their nightmares"
It's aluminum.
I had the idea to use a nail buffer on it. Being a girl, I have used them on my nails a lot and have had a lot of success buffing metal to a chrome-like shine with them too. I'm gonna try it tonight on the big scratch I have on my bezel. I'll report back with the results.
kabuk1 said:
It's aluminum.
I had the idea to use a nail buffer on it. Being a girl, I have used them on my nails a lot and have had a lot of success buffing metal to a chrome-like shine with them too. I'm gonna try it tonight on the big scratch I have on my bezel. I'll report back with the results.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ok...thanks for the advice let me know how it went! I was thinking about vegetable oil.
"fighting as one hand one heart, one soul. We will shatter their dreams and haunt their nightmares"
Ok, so I did it and... it worked.
I can still see some evidence of the scratch but it looks MUCH better, I have to hunt for the scratches now and I think if I spent more time on it and used a brand new buffer, it would be unnoticeable.
what nail buffer did you use? And would you please tell us how you did it? Thank you
Smh
This is the one I used, but I'd recommend getting one with a grey buffing surface cause they're a bit smoother & they create a shinier surface IMO. You can get these at any drugstore in the beauty section. I wish I could have taken before & after pics, but unfortunately my phone is my only camera.
What I did was use the second smoothest grit(the purple part) to buff out the scratch first, then I used the pink part to shine it up. You can still see the little metallic lines on it from the buffing process.
I would honestly advise just using a case to cover up the scratches, but this does work to remove them. USE EXTREME CAUTION IF YOU DO THIS. It is not my fault if you mess up or do more damage! I would tape up the surrounding surfaces by where you'll be buffing just so you don't accidentally nick anything. Take your time & go slow, and keep in mind that its probably not going to look completely factory-perfect, it will just take out the scratches and make it shiny again.
kabuk1 said:
This is the one I used, but I'd recommend getting one with a grey buffing surface cause they're a bit smoother & they create a shinier surface IMO. You can get these at any drugstore in the beauty section. I wish I could have taken before & after pics, but unfortunately my phone is my only camera.
What I did was use the second smoothest grit(the purple part) to buff out the scratch first, then I used the pink part to shine it up. You can still see the little metallic lines on it from the buffing process.
I would honestly advise just using a case to cover up the scratches, but this does work to remove them. USE EXTREME CAUTION IF YOU DO THIS. It is not my fault if you mess up or do more damage! I would tape up the surrounding surfaces by where you'll be buffing just so you don't accidentally nick anything. Take your time & go slow, and keep in mind that its probably not going to look completely factory-perfect, it will just take out the scratches and make it shiny again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to try sandpaper
:angel:
shook187 said:
Smh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol
btort1 said:
I'm going to try sandpaper
:angel:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oof ... well its your phone 0.0
kabuk1 said:
Oof ... well its your phone 0.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This worked pretty well. I took an alternate route though, I decided to use the slightly coarser edge first and brush it, then buff and polish it with the other sides. If done slowly and properly, you can give the phone a brushed aluminum look which I like a bit better than the polished look. This way also, scratches don't stand out at all.
chrisjm00 said:
This worked pretty well. I took an alternate route though, I decided to use the slightly coarser edge first and brush it, then buff and polish it with the other sides. If done slowly and properly, you can give the phone a brushed aluminum look which I like a bit better than the polished look. This way also, scratches don't stand out at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to hear
I actually thought about doing the brushed aluminum look too, I did that on my HD2 back in the day and it looked pretty cool.
kabuk1 said:
Good to hear
I actually thought about doing the brushed aluminum look too, I did that on my HD2 back in the day and it looked pretty cool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow... The HD2... That was my first girlfriend... Girlfriend that was dressed with WP7 & Android... That was the love of my life... After that the HD7... Then the HTC Sensation, Samsung Infuse, Note 1, 2, 3, 4... And now the Note Edge... (left a bunch of Nokia Lumia's plus a few Samsung's and HTC's in the way) Sorry... You mentioned the HD2 and I was suddenly dreaming... Off topic, sorry.
TEKHD said:
Wow... The HD2... That was my first girlfriend... Girlfriend that was dressed with WP7 & Android... That was the love of my life... After that the HD7... Then the HTC Sensation, Samsung Infuse, Note 1, 2, 3, 4... And now the Note Edge... (left a bunch of Nokia Lumia's plus a few Samsung's and HTC's in the way) Sorry... You mentioned the HD2 and I was suddenly dreaming... Off topic, sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I loved my HD2 so much and used it for years. I still have it and occasionally use it as a backuo phone too. One of the best phones HTC has ever made, IMO, development for that little beast was off the charts.
Anyway, back on topic, lol.
Never Dull
This stuff is magical. No Joke.
Never Dull. It's on Amazon. I would link it, but I don't have ability. My dad showed me this stuff when I was a kid and it works incredibly well for dealing with hairline scratches and tarnish.
Related
My phone is a couple of weeks old and the paint on one corner has already rubbed (or has been scratched) off leaving the shiny aluminum exposed. Has anyone else got this issue or have any bright ideas to restore the matt black color? I tried a Sharpie but it didn't stick.
mbridges30 said:
My phone is a couple of weeks old and the paint on one corner has already rubbed (or has been scratched) off leaving the shiny aluminum exposed. Has anyone else got this issue or have any bright ideas to restore the matt black color? I tried a Sharpie but it didn't stick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Humm, this is worrying. I hope it's a fluke
Got a spot of aluminium as well in the top left corner.
Only 1mm in diameter, but still... not too good after about 10 days of use.
WoW... I hope these are just two isolated cases, or some bad serie...
Believe me, if this happens to mine, it will be the very last time I buy a HTC. You can write my words in stone.
HastaSSSS
Not good news!! I had this same problem with my HTC 3600P... it looked like crap after 6 months... crap black finish rubs off easy.. specially if in a humid country like jamaica.. really really bad news for the diamond! thanks guys.. will keep a close eye on it and try and get a case of it ASAP.
C
I have also got paint rubbing off both top corners, it's slowly getting worse. Not happy!!! Few weeks old. Any body know a good paint match? Think I could fix it..
Im sure that having your keys and coins in the same pocket with your phone it will get scratched.
Can't make out the corners of mine through the fingerprints even though every night I wipe my fingers on my jeans after my chips! What about proper Indian ink?
I had to something about it on mine...
Fine/Ultra Fine Black Sharpie Permanent Marker has done the job..
...does NOT sound good, I had this problem with my Trinity and it really looked a mess. I hope HTC read this post and maybe.... even say something about it? or would i be dreaming?
some pictures maybe?
vas79 said:
I had to something about it on mine...
Fine/Ultra Fine Black Sharpie Permanent Marker has done the job..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forget the Sharpie people it comes off in 2 days!!...
same has happened to mine, metal finish has worn off on top right corner, have tried permanent marker and also a little tin of humbrol satin black enamel paint which worked the best, but even that rubs off!!! gotta say im dissapointed with the finish of the phone, my touch dual still looks new after 6 months.
Hmm you made me pretty worry
I already ordered my diamond and I'm expecting it within 10 days ... I already ordered Overlay plus for the screen and front buttons and Invisible shield for the back and sides.. I was not planning to apply the invisible shield from day one but after what you guys wrote I think I will...
xda_fan said:
...does NOT sound good, I had this problem with my Trinity and it really looked a mess. I hope HTC read this post and maybe.... even say something about it? or would i be dreaming?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dream on
No paint rubbing off here after 6 weeks.
No paint rubbing off here either and it's thrown in a pocket with no case and has landed on the floor with no damage.
Zekee said:
some pictures maybe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For your entertainment :-(
mbridges30 said:
For your entertainment :-(
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also see some pretty bad scratches on the display protection. Did you play ball with it?
tnyynt said:
I also see some pretty bad scratches on the display protection. Did you play ball with it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My wife put it in her purse with a bunch of keys, but luckily it is only the screen protector. I can't blame her for the paint however, that was all me.
Playing ball with my Diamond wasn't one of the functions on the phone that I was aware of. Does the G sensor help you hit better?
we need a rubber case!!!
Oh no... this happend to me to my old wizard, but the paint lasted for at least 6 months before scratching. I hope my $700 phone has a good paint Job.
hey, i was wondering if any one was successful in removing their engravings off the back of the nexus one..... i bought mine cheap second hand, but i can't seem to get the engravings off... thanks!
Maybe if you look up in the dictionary of what "engrave" means you'll find your answer. Then again is it possible to un-grave something? Put a cute little sticker over it or something.
Die grinder.
plastic filler
superfine sandpaper
paint
cover engravings with the filler
let it dry
sand down the filler until it's flush with the rest of the phone
wipe off with a wet rag (let dry after)
paint
depending on your painting skills you can make it look halfway decent. You won't make it like new though. The only way to make it not like terrible would be to paint the entire part of the phone where it is engraved. Since the engravings are on the chrome, looks like a whole body job to me.
Good Luck
Update:
Also, seriously you can't google? You do own their phone...
http://www.ehow.com/how_7774043_remove-engraving-nexus-one.html
I'd do this instead.
Toothpaste or Chocolate to wear it down.
Deekayy said:
Maybe if you look up in the dictionary of what "engrave" means you'll find your answer. Then again is it possible to un-grave something? Put a cute little sticker over it or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry, engrave may not be the correct word to use. this is probably laser etching. i'm talking about the etching that google did for people who wanted to customize their phones.
XSafire said:
plastic filler
superfine sandpaper
paint
cover engravings with the filler
let it dry
sand down the filler until it's flush with the rest of the phone
wipe off with a wet rag (let dry after)
paint
depending on your painting skills you can make it look halfway decent. You won't make it like new though. The only way to make it not like terrible would be to paint the entire part of the phone where it is engraved. Since the engravings are on the chrome, looks like a whole body job to me.
Good Luck
Update:
Also, seriously you can't google? You do own their phone...
http://www.ehow.com/how_7774043_remove-engraving-nexus-one.html
I'd do this instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i did google and i tried that already. didn't even scratch the surface. and the surface is not chrome, its anodized aluminum. which is a pain in the butt to work with...
Jyveafk said:
Toothpaste or Chocolate to wear it down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i tried the sugar cubes, but i believe thats only for silkscreened logos. i doubt either of these will be able to get the laser etched letterings. thanks though.
anyone else who was able to remove the personalized lettering on the back of the N1?
19.95$ back cover on ebay (real one)
The engraving isn't on the back cover, it's on the metal chassis.
Can you not buy a replacement chassis?
Sure you can, but they're not cheap, and I suspect it's a fair bit of work to swap the parts over.
First, it is important to note that the "engraving" is NOT actually engraved in, as some people here seem to believe.
It is merely silk-screened on.
As for removing it, I would suggest a mild abrasive, like tooth paste, and rubbing it with a cotton cloth... it will probably take a lot of elbow grease, but it should work!*
*Note: not responsible if you damage your phone or kill your loved ones with this method.
ngy said:
i did google and i tried that already. didn't even scratch the surface. and the surface is not chrome, its anodized aluminum. which is a pain in the butt to work with...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my bad. If you scratch it with your fingernail, can you feel a groove?
GldRush98 said:
First, it is important to note that the "engraving" is NOT actually engraved in, as some people here seem to believe.
It is merely silk-screened on.
As for removing it, I would suggest a mild abrasive, like tooth paste, and rubbing it with a cotton cloth... it will probably take a lot of elbow grease, but it should work!*
*Note: not responsible if you damage your phone or kill your loved ones with this method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can't say its silkscreen for sure. i took a look under the microscope and its retains the same texture as the rest of the aluminum... silkscreened letterings SHOULD have a different, smooth texture.
XSafire said:
my bad. If you scratch it with your fingernail, can you feel a groove?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i do feel a slight bump. so i'm led to think its silkscreen or laser etched, leaning more towards laser etching... which means im stuck.
Rusty! said:
Sure you can, but they're not cheap, and I suspect it's a fair bit of work to swap the parts over.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think i may actually do this in the end. i was suggested to use "contact cleaner" as it deoxides materials... but thats precisely what anodized aluminum is... a thicker layer of colored aluminum oxide. it may just strip it all down to the bare aluminum... argh thinking out loud.
I have heard from someone who have tried the same thing known as Contact Cleaner. Haven't tried personally so can't say for certain but hey, what's the harm in trying it out? I don't have any personalization otherwise would have tried it out.
creativedevil said:
I have heard from someone who have tried the same thing known as Contact Cleaner. Haven't tried personally so can't say for certain but hey, what's the harm in trying it out? I don't have any personalization otherwise would have tried it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
really. contact cleaner can really get the thing off? i should try and get my hands on some then, rather than spending $60+ for a new housing. was thinking of sand blasting the whole thing too... and painting it all back. lol. all black nexus.......
ngy said:
really. contact cleaner can really get the thing off? i should try and get my hands on some then, rather than spending $60+ for a new housing. was thinking of sand blasting the whole thing too... and painting it all back. lol. all black nexus.......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please don't do this.
just sand down the aluminum until it is flush with the rest of it, then use different grades of paper until it is smooth
I don't exactly know how close to perfect you can make it, but it's better then sandblasting it.
ngy said:
can't say its silkscreen for sure. i took a look under the microscope and its retains the same texture as the rest of the aluminum... silkscreened letterings SHOULD have a different, smooth texture.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am 99% sure it is silk-screened on, in a similar manner to the Google and HTC logos on the back.
GldRush98 said:
I am 99% sure it is silk-screened on, in a similar manner to the Google and HTC logos on the back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i sure hope so. i think im gonna try the contact cleaner stuff thats been mentioned. while i have my doubts.... i guess i'll just give it a shot. anyone know what removes silk screening?
I think you would damage the surface of you phone.
Put a sticker over it instead.
The Nexus 4 is very likely to be my next phone, replacing my old HTC Desire. Anyway, I have one big concern about the new Nexus.
I have had a LG Device once. It also had a silver-shiny bezel, just like the nexus 4. And exactly this bezel attracted scratches like a magnet. You could barely look at it without producing a scratch. It was kind of like the backside of the old iPod touches (if you know what I mean).
Sounds weird, but this is my biggest concern about the phone till yet. I don't want to have a phone which is scratched all over immediately...
Just my thoughts, anyway....
Seriously?
seriously.Probably sounds a bit crazy, but I have had a really worse experience with this. The mentioned older LG device with the metal bezel looked really awfull after few weeks of usage (and I really took care of where I put it etc.)....like it's been used for a few years already...
theoneofgod said:
Seriously?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He has forsaken the worship of Google and expressed an independent thought doubting the perfection of this device! BURN HIM
Seriously though don't those who have handled it say the outside is soft? It sounds like some sort of rubbery plastic not metal. Could be wrong.
Get a case/bumper
eep2378 said:
Get a case/bumper
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
don't think that'd work out for the front of the device...but even if, I'm not a fan of cases at all, why should I buy a many-hundreds-of-dollars/euros-device and than put it into a case for a few dollars/euros? My old phone survived my jeans also pretty well, the screen hasn't any spotable scratch - and it isn't even gorilla glass or anything comparable...
Perfect example of one of the many things duct-tape can fix.
I have no idea how easily the Nexus 4 will scratch. Guess we'll find out.
I don't think its metal, looks like plastic with chrome paint, but yes if metal it can get dings like the iPhone5.
I've also read that it's a rubbery feeling plastic which doesn't seem like it's scratch too easily.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2
eksasol said:
I don't think its metal, looks like plastic with chrome paint, but yes if metal it can get dings like the iPhone5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
platic with that chrome paint thing is even worse, it's just like butter. Metal is far better in that kind of stuff, the Desire's frame is some kind of painted metal, too. Got 2 noticable scratches in there, though, but that's not too bad for like 2 and a half years of daily usage with no case...
EDIT:
sporez said:
I've also read that it's a rubbery feeling plastic which doesn't seem like it's scratch too easily.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that only counts for the black plastik frame, not the silver one
haloimplant said:
He has forsaken the worship of Google and expressed an independent thought doubting the perfection of this device! BURN HIM
Seriously though don't those who have handled it say the outside is soft? It sounds like some sort of rubbery plastic not metal. Could be wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed. Like all other phones are indestructible.
Nascor said:
don't think that'd work out for the front of the device...but even if, I'm not a fan of cases at all, why should I buy a many-hundreds-of-dollars/euros-device and than put it into a case for a few dollars/euros? My old phone survived my jeans also pretty well, the screen hasn't any spotable scratch - and it isn't even gorilla glass or anything comparable...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the bumper is slightly raised on the front and in the back to help protect. not guaranteed. i hate cases as well, however, i think i will be giving a bumper a try.
Yeah, I don't like the chrome ring either. My old Vibrant had it and it looked terrible after a couple of months. The paint started to chip and made the phone look really old. Plus it's kind of an outdated design cue. The N4 would have looked much more sleek without it.
Even in Google's promo shots the ring looks black, not silver. Looks much nicer, IMO.
You could always paint the silver ring black like many nexus 7 users have done
Sent from my Desire HD using xda app-developers app
manlisten said:
Even in Google's promo shots the ring looks black, not silver. Looks much nicer, IMO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
found that pretty interesting, too. Don't they like their own phone? On Googles pics, chrome thing is almost invisible, while on hands on shots you can clearly see it:
https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_4_16gb
VS
http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/29/3569540/google-nexus-4-preview-price-release-date
sassyness77 said:
You could always paint the silver ring black like many nexus 7 users have done
Sent from my Desire HD using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but you would have a deformed phone :cyclops:
I'm not a fan of the tacky fake chrome, but I'll probably just get a case/bumper for it anyway.
Wait to see how it is constructed, I normally just let my phones get scratched on their cases and then when come to selling just buy the parts and replace them, it's always as cheap as buying cases.
Bump for awareness. Someone please reply if you know about the quality/material/durability of the bezel. The strange thing is that they designed the bezel like that, to make sure the screen is safe, when put down. One would think that they made it out of a durable material/finish.
Edit: I'm quite sure that it's impossible to replace parts, when damaged. Since the battery door is sealed, I reckon you're f****d when you drop your phone and the bezel gets scratched up. This could be an issue to me, for sure.
gideonMorrison said:
Edit: I'm quite sure that it's impossible to replace parts, when damaged. Since the battery door is sealed, I reckon you're f****d when you drop your phone and the bezel gets scratched up. This could be an issue to me, for sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It looks like the back cover is held on only with two screws. Standard screws not some proprietary kind. So in theory (without actually having a device to work with) it should be possible to easily replace the back cover assuming you found a new one. The back cover on this phone has all sorts of circuitry built into it so it might be quite difficult to find a new one.
It is also possible that the warranty sticker is on the bottom of that back cover, so when you take it off you rip off the warranty sticker. We will have to wait for a teardown to see if this is the case.
Here's the deal, I had an iPhone 3gs long time ago. That shiny metal frame around the screen was just not for me. I tought : "Why not brush this thing up?" I asked my friend Google (maybe in 2009) and did it. Just amazing.
What do you guys think about doing that on the nexus 4 ?
file it down to black maybe.. mines already dented.. looks really ugly! unless i paint it 0.0
If you want to, go for it. I'm also one of those that took some sandpaper to the chrome bezel because I also thought it was always scuffed pretty bad after normal use, and after doing that it looked awesome. Also helped with the resale value back when I got my first android device (Infuse 4G).
Main thing about the N4 though, to its benefit the shiny trim is a dark chrome, which imo looks right, plus mine is covered up by my case for the time I had it thus far and she hasn't got beat up too bad yet.
I say go for it, if it looks sweet, you'll probably be the founder of this technique and have a bunch of people follow. If not, it'll still be unique.
Result
I did a little bit at the corner just to see how is it under the chrome. I'm sad it's plastic. Anyway here are some pics of how it looks like under the
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxQ1eQGIPLftcVRCRmx6cTBHdzA/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxQ1eQGIPLftUE5UaGIzVG1qTUE/edit?usp=sharing
Why would you want to screw up such a shinny bazel?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Underground_XI said:
Why would you want to screw up such a shinny bazel?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thougt it was an aluminium frame. I prefer brushed or anodised aluminium. That's what I did with my old iPhone 3GS long time ago, it was beatiful.
:thumbdown:
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
I think it will sorta ruin the look''' maybe file it down to black? Because the chrome on the nexus 4 looks nice and fitting but if its dented or scratched like mine. You could try
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
you can tell something is metal or not from the temperature difference, the bezel is plastic because its not cold, aluminum would be especially cold
ouch that looks horrible.. worse than any minor scratching/nicks you might have already had.. now it looks like garbage
idividebyzero said:
you can tell something is metal or not from the temperature difference, the bezel is plastic because its not cold, aluminum would be especially cold
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn, you're right, forgot this "detail". Prick I am.
ingenious247 said:
ouch that looks horrible.. worse than any minor scratching/nicks you might have already had.. now it looks like garbage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, wait! it's only a little corner I didn't sand papered all the frame.
eh.. just do the whole thing now and give it a custom paint job.
like red and then get the red leather dbrand skin for the back.. something like that
Dropped my phone, bezel down from about 1 metre. Totally squashed the bezel, my phone has a 'lip' now, thanks to the bezel that got squashed. Great way to protect my front camera
I always thought of Rhino-lining a phone, but I never got around it.
ismethajametovic said:
I always thought of Rhino-lining a phone, but I never got around it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean about rhino-lining ?
There's this company that makes super tough protectors, it's called Rhino-something. It's so tough that it protects against drops and glass cracking and all.
I think so.
ismethajametovic said:
I always thought of Rhino-lining a phone, but I never got around it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After a little research : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=753781
Man, are you kiding ?
That's what people use as an alternative to protect their trucks bed instead of the plastic liner. Its what I got in mine(different brand). I've seen a truck had the whole paint job done with it... looks closer to a slight textured matte finish. The phone in that link was crap. If you do want something like this on your phone, look for the ones than have less texture/clumps. Speedliner is smoother and they also sell spray cans of that stuff at the auto parts store.
fegone said:
After a little research : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=753781
Man, are you kiding ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks dope to me. Now, that thing can survive an nuclear blast.
ismethajametovic said:
Looks dope to me. Now, that thing can survive an nuclear blast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so can this, and it doesn't look nearly as awful!
yeah, bulk is definitely added, but if you're that worried about protecting your phone, it's worth it.
I saw a few guys complaining about the scratched/bumped bezel which looks ugly because the paint will reveal the metal underneath.
Well, I also damaged my watch by accidentally hitting it . Permanent markers are not a good solution because they do not last.
Apparently the bezel is made out of aluminium and only the watch body is made out of steel, that why, maybe, the bezel is less resistant.
Last evening though, an idea came to my mind, which I also applied on the watch. The result is promising .
Using some fine sandpaper (600) and some real paper after that, I completely removed the paint from the top of the bezel.
As a technique, I laid the sandpaper on a flat surface (table) and then I pressed the watch on it while rubbing it. After the paint was completely removed, I did the same operation but using a regular sheet of paper (to add a nice finish on the metal surface).
Please be careful: you have to press the watch against the sandpaper (laid on a flat, hard surface), not the other way around. In this way you leave no room for mistakes and the revealed metal will be uniform and nice, w/o weird edges.
This is the result.
That actually looks really nice! I'm Impressed with it . Just out of Curiosity what watchface is that also as it suits the watch really well.
That's a custom watch face for WatchMaker (built by me). You can download it from here.
I'm not sure I have the b... sorry guts for this kind of job
First Hardware Mod!
That looks great! I know it's just a matter of time before I will need to do this. I have sanded/polished like this before and may I warn everyone:
Make sure you keep the sandpaper flat. If it rolls up under the face it will scratch the screen.​Better yet, only do this with a screen protector.
Really nice. You should offer your services for a fee, to do this for others afraid to do it themselves. Not that you'd offer any guarantees, but you have proof you know how to do it right .
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk
Wow that's a great fix for this. Showed the scratches on my bezel to the lg team at ces and they were surprised and would follow up with me after the show. They said they hadn't come across this issue (which I find hard to believe). Like you mentioned OP the bezel is aluminum and the lower parts are steel and seem to be much more durable paint wise.
I'm hoping they might send me a new watch with some better paint but if not I'm definitely going to use this method!
it does look good, however once you do this there is no going back ........
if you want a better finish you may want to try crocus paper after you have removed the paint on the bezel, crocus paper is very fine and may give a smoother finish.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocus_cloth
Once you have bumped the outer bezel into an outer object, hard enough to expose the metal under the paint, the is no going back either. But at least, there is a way to move forward .
ro_explorer said:
Once you have bumped the outer bezel into an outer object, hard enough to expose the metal under the pain, the is no going back either. But at least, there is a way to move forward .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So very true.
I personally think that looks fantastic and a milliion times better than a scratched bezel. Mine hasn't recieved any scratches yet, but seeing your results, I'm no longer panicked about that happening.
Thank you for a great solution!
yes of course, I like the look of it too
How long have you had the watch since you did this? Is there any signs of corrosion on the exposed Aluminium?
ro_explorer said:
Once you have bumped the outer bezel into an outer object, hard enough to expose the metal under the paint, the is no going back either. But at least, there is a way to move forward .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the operation on January 2nd (when I posted on the forum ). One full week passed since then .. no signs on the metal surface whatsoever (expected, it's aluminum and this does not corrode).
Here is a photo from today.
ro_explorer said:
I saw a few guys complaining about the scratched/bumped bezel which looks ugly because the paint will reveal the metal underneath.
Well, I also damaged my watch by accidentally hitting it . Permanent markers are not a good solution because they do not last.
Apparently the bezel is made out of aluminium and only the watch body is made out of steel, that why, maybe, the bezel is less resistant.
Last evening though, an idea came to my mind, which I also applied on the watch. The result is promising .
Using some fine sandpaper (600) and some real paper after that, I completely removed the paint from the top of the bezel.
As a technique, I laid the sandpaper on a flat surface (table) and then I pressed the watch on it while rubbing it. After the paint was completely removed, I did the same operation but using a regular sheet of paper (to add a nice finish on the metal surface).
Please be careful: you have to press the watch against the sandpaper (laid on a flat, hard surface), not the other way around. In this way you leave no room for mistakes and the revealed metal will be uniform and nice, w/o weird edges.
This is the result.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had my watch for a little over a week and don't recall hitting it against anything but this morning noticed my bezel has a scratch longer than half an inch. Doing a Google search brought me here.
I was going to try your method today. I understand using the 600 grit sandpaper to remove the rest of the paint from the bezel but how does the regular paper help the finish? My uneducated guess would have been to try a finer grit sandpaper such as 1200 instead of the paper.
You can use whatever finer than 600 you have (even coarser but you may risk it going coarser that that).
Unfortunately, 600 was the finest I had in house at the moment that why I used id. After that though, the metal finish was matte, missing that fine polishing .... there is where the regular paper got into action. If you use a regular laser printer paper sheet, it will act as a very very fine sandpaper, enough to give that fine polishing on the pure metal (aluminium in this case - soft metal, no other reason.
ro_explorer said:
You can use whatever finer than 600 you have (even coarser but you may risk it going coarser that that).
Unfortunately, 600 was the finest I had in house at the moment that why I used id. After that though, the metal finish was matte, missing that fine polishing .... there is where the regular paper got into action. If you use a regular laser printer paper sheet, it will act as a very very fine sandpaper, enough to give that fine polishing on the pure metal (aluminium in this case - soft metal, no other reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You sir are a genius - your solution actually makes the watch look better than before the problem.
dzyuba said:
You sir are a genius - your solution actually makes the watch look better than before the problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please tell us what did you do exactly to the watch, step by step. Thanks.
My request to any other people who want to adopt this method, please record a video of the process. Then upload it to youtube and share it with us. Thanks.
The entire process that I used is described in detail in the first post of this thread.
There is also the possibility to use a nail file (there are some guys who did that and the results are quite nice as well).
Guys,
This looks fantastic. Perhaps even better than stock. I've got a 1/4" scratch, so not quite ready to take the plunge...but certainly thinking about it.
-Doc
I should probably post this here also. I managed to ding up my watch pretty badly crashing my skateboard, and a user suggested I try this method. I did it a little differently by finishing with a 3000 grit and using metal polish cream on the exposed metal to give it a nice shine. Here are before and after pictures.
The metal polish is definitely adding a nice touch. Thanks for the info.
// sent from my phone //