IPod Touch scratches and tarnish

[Drillbit]

Damage to my device finish even after cover. Looking for things to clean this up.

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[Adama D. Brown]

Hmmm. I'm not sure if I know any way to really repair that, particularly since I don't have a lot of experience with the backs of iPods. My best guess, assuming that it's highly polished metal, would be re-polishing with a VERY mild abrasive compound, like white toothpaste. If there's some additional layer there like a coating of sealant, that probably wouldn't work though.

[brickman65]

I have seen some Chrome Restorers at my local Automotive store. I have never used them but I bet something like that is what you will have to look at. Even rubbing compound will remove the scratches but may dull the "shine".

[Varjak]

Every grocery store in the known universe carries metal polish. Even toothpaste makes a very good metal polish. Unfortunately, you can't use it on plastic. Just be sure to test it in an out of the way area first (that goes for everything you'd use it on). Pretty odd occurrence that I've never seen before, but it's much less obtrusive than the plastic discoloration I've seen on other phones. Perhaps the case has corrosive compounds in its composition.

[lelisa13p]

Actually, you can use a dot of toothpaste on plastic, gently applied and lightly rubbed, then wiped off. My sister the jeweler recommended it to me years ago as a way to gently buff out a scratch to the plastic crystal covering my watch face. Then buff surface gently to shine.

[jigwashere]

Skin it and forget it.

[lelisa13p]

Skin it and forget it.

That sounds like something Daniel Boone would've said.

[Drillbit]

If I use rubbing compound, it will cause a lot of "web" lines in the shine. Metal polish may erode the chrome, and reveal the aluminum underneath.

Going to test the toothpaste idea. I am also thinking of using tea with lemon juice (alkaloid with mild acid) to help weakly dissolve the residue.

[lelisa13p]

Use the toothpaste on a little area at a time. You want to use a bit of paste while it is moist as that's the most gentle form. You can remove dried residue immediately with a slightly dampened piece of paper towel or cloth, then shine with a clean soft cloth.

[Varjak]

Fine metal polish won't create 'webbing' (never heard it described that way before). And as I noted, it make sense to TEST IT on an unobtrusive part first. That's just common sense for ALL applications of anything, including toothpaste.