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Club Cricketer
If you have an iPod, especially the later generations or a PSP, Slim or Fat, you might've realised that they scratch very easily. Not to worry though, we'll start with the iPod first.
Scratches on the chrome back
If the chrome backing on your iPod is scratched like it is in the picture above, there are a number of solutions you could use. Firstly, there is Brasso:
This formula which is designed to polish several types of metal, is the most controversial. Many have said that it works wonders for them, others have said it only makes the back cleaner.
Secondly, there is Applesauce Polish Plastic Surgery Kit:
This set contains a deep scratch and chrome polisher as well as a fine scratch remover and protectant. The latter we'll come on to later. The chrome polisher works well in removing noticeable scratches but if you take a closer look, you'll see a few very faint scratches left by the polisher.
Finally, there is Ice Creme:
Yes, I know what you're thinking, the only thing this is going to do is to attract ants. Well, that's Ice Cream, this is Ice Creme. There are two kits you can buy: the standard kit containing a scratch remover and a 'glossy finisher,' and the 'M' kit which is the same as the standard one except it contains a metal refinishing pad, which is almost like sandpaper. The metal pad works well in removing heavy scratches but because it's so abrasive, it leaves several noticeable scratches in it's wake. These could possibly be removed with the Applesauce.
This is a useful picture I've found showing an iPod before and after an 'Ice Creme' treatment:
Overall, Brasso is a no go really. Applesauce is probably your best bet. Only buy the Ice Creme if your iPod's back is really bad.
Screen and front
As far as I'm aware, on certain iPods, the screen is made out of the same plastic as the front. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is what I mean:
It's not the case in an iPod such as this:
Anyways, if your iPod is similar to the one in the first picture, and it's scratched like this:
Firstly, there's iDrops:
This requires you squeeze some of it on to the front and to buff with minimal pressure using preferably, a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth. NOTE-you have to buff (rub in circular motion) for it and all the other scratch removers to work and you have to do so for at least a couple dozen minutes for best results. Simply letting the liquid sit on the device won't remove any scratches. Afterwards, it's sealed with polish to resist it from future scratches, dust, fingerprints etc.. This product works fine, especailly for the screen but it takes a hell of a longtime (an hour and more for certain users!).
Secondly, there is the AstroShine Clean Kit:
This pack consists of a no. 1 plastic dirt remover and polish, no. 2 a fine scratch remover and no. 3 a heavy scratch remover. If you are to clean the front, you need to apply no. 1 to remove any dirt, followed by no. 2 and then, if scratches persist, no. 3. Then followed up with a coating of no. 1 (which resists it from scratches, dust, fingerprints etc. as well as restoring it's shine.) This product works very well and doesn't take as long as the iDrops to work.
Thirdly, there is Applesauce Polish Plastic Surgery Kit:
We've already revealed how it works on the back of your iPod, but on the front, it is a very similar story to the AstroShine. So refer there for more information. I've already mentioned it, butthis pack contains a fine scratch remover and protectant as well as a heavy scratch remover and chrome polish. It works in a similar way to the AstroShine also, the only difference is that it takes a lot longer to work.
Fourthly, there is Ice Creme again:
I've said it already, but: 'There are two kits you can buy: the standard kit containing a scratch remover and a 'glossy finisher,' and the 'M' kit which is the same as the standard one except it contains a metal refinishing pad, which is almost like sandpaper.' The scratch remover works well and quickly but it leaves behind light scratches, which were slightly removable with the glossy finisher.
Fifthly (is there even a word?) is Displex Scratch Remover:
This, unlike the others, isn't abrasive and doesn't 'sand' the plastic down. Instead, it 'melts' the scratch away if you like. This product's process takes a long time and doesn't work as well as you might think, although repeated applications does do the trick.
Finally, there is toothpaste, yes toothpaste:
If you do buy toothpaste, don't buy the gel type, as they don't work. The toothpaste is abrasive, like all above bar Displex, as it's used for cleaning your teeth. This is good for reducing the appearance of deep scratches, but they won't fully dissapear. Also, some way or another, it might be the other substances in the toothpaste, a lot of 'spiderweb' type scratches are left behind. Don't use this for fine scratches.
Overall, the AstroShine Clean Kit probably works best, with the Ice Creme coming in a close second. Then the Applesauce and iDrops coming in at joint third and the then the Displex and finally the Toothpaste.
For those of you with PSPs, you'll notice a similar problem. On both models, Slim and Fat, the above scratch removers work well on the screen, on the Fat model, the Applesauce Polish Plastic Surgery Kit works well on the plastic but on the Slim model, the AstroShine Clean Kit does the job well. iDrops can also do a bit of repair to the Slim model.
For those of you with DS Lites, the high-gloss cover is 'repairable' with the AstroShine Clean Kit.
Word of Warning: Try to 'mix' up your buffing strokes as repeated strokes are what cause scratches when buffing so do this to reduce them.
I hope this guide helps you, if you have any questions, feel free to post them iin this thread, PM me or email me at [email protected]
Thanks for your time,
Lightbulb
*This guide was created with the help of personal, family and friends experience, here and around the internet.
Scratches on the chrome back
If the chrome backing on your iPod is scratched like it is in the picture above, there are a number of solutions you could use. Firstly, there is Brasso:
This formula which is designed to polish several types of metal, is the most controversial. Many have said that it works wonders for them, others have said it only makes the back cleaner.
Secondly, there is Applesauce Polish Plastic Surgery Kit:
This set contains a deep scratch and chrome polisher as well as a fine scratch remover and protectant. The latter we'll come on to later. The chrome polisher works well in removing noticeable scratches but if you take a closer look, you'll see a few very faint scratches left by the polisher.
Finally, there is Ice Creme:
Yes, I know what you're thinking, the only thing this is going to do is to attract ants. Well, that's Ice Cream, this is Ice Creme. There are two kits you can buy: the standard kit containing a scratch remover and a 'glossy finisher,' and the 'M' kit which is the same as the standard one except it contains a metal refinishing pad, which is almost like sandpaper. The metal pad works well in removing heavy scratches but because it's so abrasive, it leaves several noticeable scratches in it's wake. These could possibly be removed with the Applesauce.
This is a useful picture I've found showing an iPod before and after an 'Ice Creme' treatment:
Overall, Brasso is a no go really. Applesauce is probably your best bet. Only buy the Ice Creme if your iPod's back is really bad.
Screen and front
As far as I'm aware, on certain iPods, the screen is made out of the same plastic as the front. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is what I mean:
It's not the case in an iPod such as this:
Anyways, if your iPod is similar to the one in the first picture, and it's scratched like this:
Firstly, there's iDrops:
This requires you squeeze some of it on to the front and to buff with minimal pressure using preferably, a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth. NOTE-you have to buff (rub in circular motion) for it and all the other scratch removers to work and you have to do so for at least a couple dozen minutes for best results. Simply letting the liquid sit on the device won't remove any scratches. Afterwards, it's sealed with polish to resist it from future scratches, dust, fingerprints etc.. This product works fine, especailly for the screen but it takes a hell of a longtime (an hour and more for certain users!).
Secondly, there is the AstroShine Clean Kit:
This pack consists of a no. 1 plastic dirt remover and polish, no. 2 a fine scratch remover and no. 3 a heavy scratch remover. If you are to clean the front, you need to apply no. 1 to remove any dirt, followed by no. 2 and then, if scratches persist, no. 3. Then followed up with a coating of no. 1 (which resists it from scratches, dust, fingerprints etc. as well as restoring it's shine.) This product works very well and doesn't take as long as the iDrops to work.
Thirdly, there is Applesauce Polish Plastic Surgery Kit:
We've already revealed how it works on the back of your iPod, but on the front, it is a very similar story to the AstroShine. So refer there for more information. I've already mentioned it, butthis pack contains a fine scratch remover and protectant as well as a heavy scratch remover and chrome polish. It works in a similar way to the AstroShine also, the only difference is that it takes a lot longer to work.
Fourthly, there is Ice Creme again:
I've said it already, but: 'There are two kits you can buy: the standard kit containing a scratch remover and a 'glossy finisher,' and the 'M' kit which is the same as the standard one except it contains a metal refinishing pad, which is almost like sandpaper.' The scratch remover works well and quickly but it leaves behind light scratches, which were slightly removable with the glossy finisher.
Fifthly (is there even a word?) is Displex Scratch Remover:
This, unlike the others, isn't abrasive and doesn't 'sand' the plastic down. Instead, it 'melts' the scratch away if you like. This product's process takes a long time and doesn't work as well as you might think, although repeated applications does do the trick.
Finally, there is toothpaste, yes toothpaste:
If you do buy toothpaste, don't buy the gel type, as they don't work. The toothpaste is abrasive, like all above bar Displex, as it's used for cleaning your teeth. This is good for reducing the appearance of deep scratches, but they won't fully dissapear. Also, some way or another, it might be the other substances in the toothpaste, a lot of 'spiderweb' type scratches are left behind. Don't use this for fine scratches.
Overall, the AstroShine Clean Kit probably works best, with the Ice Creme coming in a close second. Then the Applesauce and iDrops coming in at joint third and the then the Displex and finally the Toothpaste.
For those of you with PSPs, you'll notice a similar problem. On both models, Slim and Fat, the above scratch removers work well on the screen, on the Fat model, the Applesauce Polish Plastic Surgery Kit works well on the plastic but on the Slim model, the AstroShine Clean Kit does the job well. iDrops can also do a bit of repair to the Slim model.
For those of you with DS Lites, the high-gloss cover is 'repairable' with the AstroShine Clean Kit.
Word of Warning: Try to 'mix' up your buffing strokes as repeated strokes are what cause scratches when buffing so do this to reduce them.
I hope this guide helps you, if you have any questions, feel free to post them iin this thread, PM me or email me at [email protected]
Thanks for your time,
Lightbulb
*This guide was created with the help of personal, family and friends experience, here and around the internet.
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