Existing users, 
Go naked: some iPhone cases causing scratches
Posted 19 July 2007 @ 2pm in Troubleshooting
In an odd twist, cases designed to prevent the iPhone’s exterior from scratching actually appear to be causing scratches for some users. A number of posters to Apple’s Discussion boards are reporting that the InCase molded rubber sleeve, which is sold through the Apple Store as an authorized accessory, is actually producing blemishes (including scratches) on the iPhone’s chrome faceplate border that are visible when the case is removed. Ironically, the same scratches are unlikely to occur on iPhones without cases; when combined with previous reports that some iPhone cases can cause heat problems, it seems an unclothed iPhone may be your best bet.
The problem is most likely to occur with tight-fitting cases (especially rubberized ones like the InCase), and appears to be the result of dirt and other particles being trapped between the casing and the chrome surface.
User ratiosans posted a series of photos depicting the scratches on his flickr page.
As a possible remedy, you may want try using a jewelry wipe or polishing cloth (such as these, priced at $4) or iCleaner (an iPod polishing/cleaning set) to remove the scratches. Do so at your own risk, however, as these items might cause other cosmetic or component damage to the iPhone. Apple has its own instructions for cleaning the iPhone in a Knowledge Base article.
Feedback? info@iphoneatlas.com.
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5 Comments
Posted by tobyco
20 July 2007 @ 7am
It’s troubling that a product designed to protect your property may in fact be damaging. But that’s not why I’m writing this response. I’m more concerned about the the line “sold through the Apple Store as an authorized accessory”. This seems to indicate that Apple is somehow responsible for the quality of the product sold. This isn’t the case. An Apple Authorized Accessory is simply a marketing term. It allows the third party vendor to use the Apple logo and use the “Made For Mac” tagline. That’s all. An “authorized Accessory” does not guarantee a certain level of build quality or if it even works with the intended product at all.
Posted by doclipper
21 July 2007 @ 9am
Regarding cleaning, I have been using a microfiber cloth and alcohol-based cleaner that my optician gave me for my eyeglasses. While the Apple KB says not to use alcohol, I have had great results using this mild, scratchless kit, especially on the iPhone glass.
Posted by Slanted Viewpoint » Blog Archive » Get the iPhone; Skip the case
21 July 2007 @ 9am
[...] matters worse, a recent report on iPhone Atlas suggests that some cases may actually cause scratches and heat-related problems that would [...]
Posted by kat566
22 July 2007 @ 9am
Since Apple did not pre-release the iPhone to 3rd parties to use for designing their products, they only had the specs on the web to work from, so it is no surprise to me that the fit/from/function of some is less than ideal.
I have the Power Support screen film to protect the touch screen and otherwise use my iPhone ‘naked’. There are a couple barely noticeable scratches on the chrome. I use the iKleer spray and cloth that we got to clean our iMacs and iPods, and it works well. It is alcohol and ammonia-free and anti-static, too.
I am still considering a case, but have yet to find one that I REALLY like, and wanted to wait until designers have a chance to test them with the actual product in-hand.
Posted by bbeacham
30 July 2007 @ 8am
I also got the scratches from the INCASE cover just like those pictured above. They will come off but it can be a tedious process. I used 3M’s finest rubbing compound (3M 05933 Perfect-It III Rubbing Compound). It can be found on-line or at any body shop. You probably could get a body shop to give you a teaspoon of it, which would be enough to do a hundred iPhones. It usually sells by the quart for over $20.
You have to use a very fine cloth like a T-shirt and be careful not to get the compound in the tiny crack around the glass. Just get one drop on your rag and then smear it on the rag first so it wont be thick enough to get in the glass crack. You have to rub hard and aggressively (back and forth) on the chrome for about 20 seconds and repeat the process about five times or more depending on how deep your scratches are.
My phone was worse than the one pictured above and it now looks brand new again. I will not be using the INCASE cover any more.