Brushed Steel iPod Tutorial

[griever2004]

Yea, wide tape will be useful, but the packing tape I used wasn't wide enough so I just double-layered it.

Anyway I still had the glossy non-stick paper thing (haha I dont know what its called) that came with my iCondom so I used that and put the packing tape over it.

I drew the stencil and cut it out, and the tape will just peel off nicely.

slapped it on the back and worked my magic. No knife needed

[iamthenoise]

i just "brushed" mine and its awesome! i used the 3G styrofoam part that actually held the ipod to keep my ipod steady (works when you put the ipod on its side as well) and then put the styrofoam part that held the accessories on top to guide my hand for straight lines. I used the rough sponge and i like it more than using a sanding block. the sponge doesnt dig deep enough to make the ipod feel rough (and thats a good thing), its just rough enough to visually put lines one, but it feels totally smooth. sooo rad. i wish i had a camera. also masking tape is a must!
yep.
david

[odis]

I can't get the sponge to scratch it enough.
Now my ipod is half brushed and half mirror :/
Do you have to keep the sponge in the exact same position all the time? Or can I rotate it so it doesnt always scratch the same lines?
I've tried 3 different sponges. Any tips?

[odis]

anyone?

[Jansen2548]

I just did this to my brand spanking new 4th Gen, out of the box. And I'm so glad I did it. It was something I was too afraid to do to my (now sold) 3rd Gen.

I put a small piece of pda over the serial number (incase this counts as it being too scratched or defaced for warranty claims), and went away with a Scotch Brite kitchen sponge, just as suggested, though I bought the "Heavy Duty scourer" version. This enabled me to get a finish I desired quicker and the whole process took about an hour or so. 30 mins on the back, 10 each on the sides and 5 on the top and bottom. On the top and bottom I only brushed enough to dull the mirror finish and leave a few lines, I didn't want to get too many metal shavings caught in the ports.

Looks brilliant!

I love claiming to all my friends that this is a new feature to the 4th gen iPod. Brushed metal finish on the back. It looks very professional indeed so not many would doubt me.

[Joshdude]

Agh I want to do it but I'm afraid of ruining my iPod. I wish I could hire someone to do it or something.

[Dclax07]

looks awesome

I made up my mind to brush mine tomorrow, thats when i get my 4G 20gig.

help me decide with some symbols

I was thinking of the possibities and sports team logos,
your college logos, silhouttes of sports players sounded sweet but I think after im done itll "clutter" the ipod, so i picked some
simple designs that i can print out as a sticker

One

[Dclax07]

sorry about the big pics, i dont know how to resize

two

Just the crown

[Joshdude]

Ok so here's the situation: my iPod spends all of its time in my Arctic iSkin eVo case, so the back isn't scratched at all and I don't think it ever will be. However, the case makes it thicker, enough so that I miss the sleekness that the iPod has. I would only ditch the eVo if I brushed the back and had a way to protect the screen. I figure I can just use the iCondom screen protector. But I'm afraid of brushing the back. I've read the horror stories of how the back of their iPod now just looks dull, or how the scratches are all uneven. I either want the pristine mirror finish of the professional looking brushed job. I don't know how it would turn out if I tried it. But I still want to. Should I risk my iPod and go for it?

your site doesnt show the steps anymore :'( ??? why take them out

[Joshdude]

Ok I went ahead and did it, possibly against my better judgement. It actually looks pretty good, though. Nowhere near the original (I should have hired Adam to do it), but acceptable. In retrospect, I should have taped off the serial number, and maybe the Apple logo and the word "iPod." By the time I was done, everything on the back was gone. How'd you get all the logos and stuff to stay there? Oh well I don't mind the blank slab look anyway. Let's just hope Apple takes it if I need to send it in. I'll post some pics soon.

[Adam]

Originally posted by Joshdude
Ok I went ahead and did it, possibly against my better judgement. It actually looks pretty good, though. Nowhere near the original (I should have hired Adam to do it), but acceptable. In retrospect, I should have taped off the serial number, and maybe the Apple logo and the word "iPod." By the time I was done, everything on the back was gone. How'd you get all the logos and stuff to stay there? Oh well I don't mind the blank slab look anyway. Let's just hope Apple takes it if I need to send it in. I'll post some pics soon.

You probaly just didn't take your time. Its an easy job to do, but you just need patience. But judging by the amount of positive responses, you may have just had a bit of bad luck

[Joshdude]

I did it for about an hour total. I'm pretty sure I took my time. Maybe I used the wrong sponge. Oh well as I said I'm happy with the result.

[Adam]

Thats all that matters then

[jlmodell]

I bought a can of brasso and some towels, and i tried to buff out the dozens of scratches that found their way onto my 4g iPod after just a few weeks... but they just wouldnt buff out, so last night i finally decided to brush it --

My question is, i spent maybe 15 minutes on it, and it looks alright, is it beneficial for me to continue for the hour or so, that i read many of you spent?

I taped up the "20GB" box so thats the only shiny part left, and i still havnt removed the tape- so i can continue for another 45 minutes if it will give me a better finish?