101. Turn a Scratched iPod into a Brushed-Metal iPodBEFORE YOU BEGIN Just jump right in! SEE ALSO 100 Restore Your iPod to Factory Settings Not every problem you might have with your iPod has to do with the vagaries of software. It's just as much a concern for most iPod users to make sure that their hip little white music player keeps looking like new. Although Apple's sense of style can hardly be faulted for looks, it does perhaps leave something to be desired in the day-to-day practicality of maintaining those looks. Naturally, this means keeping that shiny stainless- steel back plate mirror-smooth and free of scratches. The sad fact is that it's all but impossible to keep the back of your iPod looking pristine forever. But the good news is that, with a common kitchen scouring sponge or a piece of steel wool, a little bit of elbow grease and patience, and the fortitude to perform a little bit of seemingly destructive surgery on your beloved iPod, you can make it look just as good as when it was new, if in a slightly different way. All you have to do is give it a brushed-metal finish, and suddenly your iPod will not only be free of scratches, it'll be more resistant to new ones and to sweaty fingerprints as well. Performing this cosmetic surgery doesn't even void your warranty! WEB RESOURCE http:// members .optusnet.com.au/brushedipod/ Adam Podnar was one of the first to popularize the "brushed iPod" solution, and since then many iPod owners have embraced it as a compelling alternative look for their iPods. TIP To experiment with different abrasive materials and brushing techniques before tackling your iPod, test the materials on the bottom of a shiny cookie sheet. 101. Turn a Scratched iPod into a Brushed-Metal iPod
NOTE The iPod logo and other text is engraved in the metal and is not harmed by this process. The longer you brush, the better your iPod's surface will eventually look. Keep at it, sanding the short sides with more care until they match the back, and before long you'll have an iPod that not only looks as good as new, but that has a look all its own that none of your iPod-carrying friends will have! NOTE Be sure to wash your hands after you're done brushing the iPod's surface. You'll have created a thin film of microscopic metal shavings on your skin, which is never a good thing to ingest. |