Lessons Learned: Preventing and Removing Scratches on iPod nano

iPod nano is famous for being prone to scratches. The surface is so easily scratched that people have been scratching it when opening the box. This may be because Apple used a different polycarbonate formula than previous iPod models. Regardless of why that is the case, scratches suck; especially when it’s on the nano. With the nano being so small, scratches are especially noticeable and damaging to the experience, taking up large chunks of space. Even a single scratch on the screen could ruin everything.

Like many people, I didn’t believe the rumors. I treat my things very carefully; It was going to be an exception to scratches. It sucks to be wrong. Now, that’s many moons after the fact. Compared to the early days, we now have many more accessories and products that help us keep our nano mint fresh, if we are willing to pay for them. There are also products intended to bring the shine back to those unfortunate disfigured nanos. Hopefully, you’re not on the same path as me.

Early warnings:

The best course of action, of course, is to prevent your nano from getting scratched in the first place. Unlike the early days of nano, there are now a plethora of cases and skins with which you can protect your precious one; get one when you buy a nano. The stories of scratching your iPod nano within an hour of opening the box are actually true; as sad as it is, the nano scratches so easily. These days, Apple ships the nano with a case, so it might not wear out as quickly. That case, however, is not the most effective of methods nor the most beautiful. Trust me, shelling out some extra cash for a good case is well worth it if you want to keep it smooth and pretty.

One of the best skin cases for nano is iSkin Duo. They have an ingenious two-layer design that protects the nano almost perfectly. Everything except the hold switch is covered and well covered. Beyond the incredible protection it provides, they also come in a variety of color combinations (outer shell and inner shell are different colors); They don’t just work, they look good. You should definitely consider checking them out. The list price may seem a bit high, but you can usually find them on sale for much less than that online. And even at the list price, this mascara is well worth it.

But what if you are looking for more? You want a case with even better protection: one that resists scratches, dust, bumps, and even water. Well, in that case, you’re in luck. OtterBox makes such a case for nano; a thick plastic case that is scratch, dust, shock and water proof. This is what I call excessive protection; It’s not a case, it’s a thick layer of armor. This thought is simply beyond the call of duty for most people. The only drawback is that it is quite bulky.

For those who don’t want to mess with the look of their iPod, you can get some stick-on protective film covers for skin-tight protection. Simply stick them onto your nano and you have a form-fitting layer of scratch protection. However, they won’t provide much protection beyond scratches. Power Support films have been quite popular, so you may want to check them out if this type of protection is what you’re looking for. Please note that many film sets cover only the front and back surfaces, not the sides, so be sure to check before purchasing. Also, some films don’t stick well (pretty useless if that’s the case), so be sure to check some reviews before you buy.

Late stages:

So your iPod is terminally disfigured. The beautiful surface of it was scratched; Worse, there are some scratches on the screen and now an “n” looks like an “m” and you can’t tell the difference between “c” and “o” anymore. Not everything is lost. There are still ways to reduce the damage, although you may not be able to reverse it. There are several brands of scratch removal polish that can help. The thing to know is that they are not perfect; although they make a difference. They can reduce the severity of scratches, but they cannot completely eliminate them.

There are some notable iPod scratch removers such as iDrops, iCleaner, Radtech Ice Creme and several from the Radtech company. Some work better than others, of course, so be sure to check the reviews. One thing to keep in mind when using these products, regardless of the brand, is to follow the instructions. Many people apply them intuitively, but doing so may not get the full effect; it is worth taking a few minutes to read the instructions for a better result.

If you’re one of the few who don’t mind scratches, I envy you with all my heart. But for those who do care, there are many steps you can take to prevent or reduce scratches; although prevention is always the best option. Hopefully the next generation won’t be as scratch-prone, but for now, we’ll just have to deal with it.