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Techguy46

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 30, 2020
11
5
My Iphone 11 (red) got a pealing paint, does anyone have the same problem?
 

ericwn

macrumors G5
Apr 24, 2016
12,113
10,902
I haven’t seen that happen, please share a picture of the problem!
 

44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,642
42,494
My Iphone 11 (red) got a pealing paint, does anyone have the same problem?

It must be an issue with the anodization. Anyways, if you’re plan on discussing the physical issue/characteristic about the phone, post pictures, otherwise the thread doesn’t really hold any value.
 

Techguy46

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 30, 2020
11
5
Sorry for late reply, been busy whole week. The color seem to be decolorize.
 

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LFC2020

macrumors P6
Apr 4, 2020
16,874
38,037
Try to get a free replacement from apple, as much as I like the different coloured phones, I stick to my silver iPhones because of the risk of getting this issue.
 

Lekro

macrumors 6502a
Mar 23, 2019
564
295
That’s crazy, never seen anything like it. Looks like something that was soaked in hydrogen peroxide.
 

44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,642
42,494
Sorry for late reply, been busy whole week. The color seem to be decolorize.

Notice how the deformity of the color is near the mute switch. Which leads me to believe whatever case that you’re using, you either are proactively touching the mute switch regularly from contact with your hands and/or it’s a reaction from the case that you’re using causing a discoloration with the aluminum.
 

JPack

macrumors G5
Mar 27, 2017
13,471
26,076
It seems to be a relatively common UV-related problem with red colored iPhones, starting with the XR.

Looks like your case protects the mute switch pretty well.
 

tripleburst

macrumors 6502
Sep 19, 2018
378
410
It seems to be a relatively common UV-related problem with red colored iPhones, starting with the XR.

Looks like your case protects the mute switch pretty well.

Actually, most (if not all) cases have just openings for the mute button. You can't really duplicate the switch with the case. If anything, the mute button wasn't touched by the case so the case is having a chemical reaction to the iphone's paint.
 
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JPack

macrumors G5
Mar 27, 2017
13,471
26,076
Actually, most (if not all) cases have just openings for the mute button. You can't really duplicate the switch with the case. If anything, the mute button wasn't touched by the case so the case is having a chemical reaction to the iphone's paint.

I wouldn't be surprised if the UV transmitted optically along the clear case, similar to a fiber optic cable. Ironically, it would be areas not covered that would be better protected.
 
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Techguy46

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 30, 2020
11
5
I did use a clear case and for this reason, I think my case turned yellow all this time. I found out it was my Phone when I take my case out.

I used Ethanol to disinfected my phone for the covid19 reason and I don't think that cause the problem. The iphone color should withstand just a basic alcohol right?
 

JPack

macrumors G5
Mar 27, 2017
13,471
26,076
I did use a clear case and for this reason, I think my case turned yellow all this time. I found out it was my Phone when I take my case out.

I used Ethanol to disinfected my phone for the covid19 reason and I don't think that cause the problem. The iphone color should withstand just a basic alcohol right?

The yellow indicates UV exposure. There’s nothing wrong with using alcohol to wipe the phone. Bring it to an Apple Store and hope that they will do something about it.
 

44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,642
42,494
I did use a clear case and for this reason, I think my case turned yellow all this time. I found out it was my Phone when I take my case out.

I used Ethanol to disinfected my phone for the covid19 reason and I don't think that cause the problem. The iphone color should withstand just a basic alcohol right?

What topical alcohol solution were you using? More specifically, what was the percentage? There was another member who did the same thing wiping over the course of time and it causes discoloration with the 7000 series aluminum.
 

mcpooolie

macrumors newbie
May 5, 2020
4
7
🇸🇬
do drop an update so we can see how it pans out.

in my experience with peeling/flaking/chipped paint on iDevices, the Genius Bar staff usually counts them as cosmetic damages, which basically renders it outside of warranty coverage.

does your iPhone have any further issues? if so, try to bring these up during your appointment at the store. might help your case should they decide to replace your device!

cheers
 

5105973

Cancelled
Sep 11, 2014
12,132
19,733
Holy carp. I have a red iPhone SE. I use isopropyl alcohol but only on the clear Caudabe case and the tempered glass protector. I know isopropyl alcohol can sometimes be a powerful solvent and bad for paint, so I try to avoid touching the phone itself. But I didn’t think it could do this to an anodized finish. That being said, I don’t ever work with ethanol and don’t know what it’s like.

I will give serious consideration to white and silver iPhones the next time I buy one. Whoa.

Sorry this happened to your phone. You may need to switch to a colored bumper clear case phone now. I don’t think the warranty covers this but it wouldn’t hurt to ask Apple about it.
 

Apple_Robert

Contributor
Sep 21, 2012
35,575
52,311
In a van down by the river
Holy carp. I have a red iPhone SE. I use isopropyl alcohol but only on the clear Caudabe case and the tempered glass protector. I know isopropyl alcohol can sometimes be a powerful solvent and bad for paint, so I try to avoid touching the phone itself. But I didn’t think it could do this to an anodized finish. That being said, I don’t ever work with ethanol and don’t know what it’s like.

I will give serious consideration to white and silver iPhones the next time I buy one. Whoa.

Sorry this happened to your phone. You may need to switch to a colored bumper clear case phone now. I don’t think the warranty covers this but it wouldn’t hurt to ask Apple about it.
I have the red SE model as well, and my phone still looks like new. I think what the OP showed is an extreme case (no pun intended). It looks like the ethanol in combination with his clear case caused the damage.

I don’t think Apple will cover the cosmetic damage the OP unintentionally caused.
 
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Techguy46

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 30, 2020
11
5
I used 75% Ethanol and it is the same alcohol that used to disinfect your wound. All of my friends are all used this Alcohol to wipe their phone, but it didn't do any damage.

do drop an update so we can see how it pans out.

in my experience with peeling/flaking/chipped paint on iDevices, the Genius Bar staff usually counts them as cosmetic damages, which basically renders it outside of warranty coverage.

does your iPhone have any further issues? if so, try to bring these up during your appointment at the store. might help your case should they decide to replace your device!

cheers

I went to Apple store and they did said what you said, it counts as cosmetic damages so it outside warranty coverage.
I think my phone doesn't have any other software issues it just all color.

In this case I just want to know how long can it be expose to UV-light (sunlight) til the paint start decolorize. or even it cause by UV light at all
 

The-Real-Deal82

macrumors P6
Jan 17, 2013
17,294
25,434
Wales, United Kingdom
Did the alcohol get inside the clear case while being wiped and sat there to cause this damage? Trying to understand why the mute switch which is the exposed part is absolutely fine but the parts inside the case have experienced the discolouration?

Not sure why people are wiping phones down with alcohol wipes really. A dry microfibre cloth is perhaps the best and safest bet and will clean the smudges off fine.
 
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matraco

macrumors regular
Jan 20, 2014
163
25
I have this problem too, just with an older iphone.

Almost never was it exposed to direct sunlight and it was always caseless.
 

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44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,642
42,494
I have this problem too, just with an older iphone.

Almost never was it exposed to direct sunlight and it was always caseless.

Nope. What you’re experiencing is one of two things, it’s either a ‘bad anodization‘ process with the 6000 series aluminum on the 6S and/or it’s from the sweat from your hands is acidic where it’s causing a reaction with anodized aluminum (Notice along the sides of your picture, that’s the worst area because that’s where your hands are consistently touching.)

Also, there were some minor issues with the anodization on the 6000 series aluminum, but it was very rare, [and alleged to be a small batch of iPhones that actually experienced this]. However, the ‘Fading’ from the OP‘s phone compared to yours are two entirely separate issues.

Here is a thread showing the exact situation with another member with the Apple Watch:

 
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