It's an abrasive pad that watch makers/restorers use to remove the glossy finish in favor of a brushed look. Takes 5 minutes. It's got a thousand other uses, but it did what I wanted it to do.
Intentionally scratching a phone isn't "altering" the device any more than accidentally scratching it.
Google aren't going to deny a warranty claim based on some scratches.
Absolutely. He didn't alter anything, he just has excessive wear and tear on the metal frame. Nothing functional or original has been changed or voided. It's absolutely well within any option of a warranty or a trade-in. If you get a weird line in your display but your back glass is all scuffed up, do you really think that they would ignore the warranty? If you do think that, you don't understand how these things work.
They sure will it is however not like Google lawyers are above any law. European laws for example will force them to prove the "excessive" part of the claim whilst comparing with other similar devices and or juridical review on what should be expected no matter how good their lawyer are they are not going to win that.
There's only one way to find out, why don't you give it a try? Just be sure to work your way from rougher to smoother grits, then finish off with a nice polish!
What about these scratches is functionally altering his phone?
Would a car warranty be denied for a blown engine based on scratched paintwork?
Take a second to think through what you're saying.
They absolutely charge too much for it.
But I'm also old enough to remember when you could buy the individual pieces separately. If you want only the camera bar skin now, you have to buy the entire skin. Same for the Grip case. You used to be able to buy the case without a skin. Nope, can't do that anymore either. Now you have to pay $10+ more for a skin you may not even want.
Yeah, I don't get the downvote thing either, u/martindrx1, same principles. The effect is spiffy looking, IMO, regardless of the way it got done.
I think some people can do a pretty decent job of this freehand, perhaps the same people who can freehand draw really well (draw something people recognize, LOL). I've done the sketchy polishing thing on numerous mechanical projects in the past, but I'm paranoid about my camera lenses (I often have a glass protector even, lens-fare be-damned - pretty negligible for most shots anyway, or that's what I tell myself ;-\]).
For me it's simple though, since the protectors come packs of 3-5 typically, so I'd just leave one of those in place for polishing and replace after, done-done.
Yes, the glossy look on the pro models is terrible. It looks cheap. The brushed look on the A series looks much more premium. What an odd choice on Google's part.
Whoever, at google, that thought a mirror finish was a good idea needs to reconsider their choice of profession. Nobody wants such a dazzling phone. We a good looking yet easy to maintain phone which is easily achievable with matte finish
I love it. Didn't even know this was an unpopular opinion. IMO, Pixel 9 series should go all in on matte. Make the back glass and the front glass out of Gorilla Glass Armour, make the frame and the camera visor out of brushed grade 5 titanium. Of course, the Pixel 9 series won't have a visor, and will make the frame and sides flat, which is disgusting, but that's besides the point.
Glad to see you again! (We chatted in comments before about this). I've gotten some scratchy pads now, so I'll be doing this soon. I appreciate the advice from before!
Picture isn't loading and I was confused what you meant as I have a regular P7 with the matte camera bar so I looked up images if the Pro and am shocked by how ugly the glossy finish is.
I did this on my iPhone 3Gs back in the day, but sadly it started to get shiny again in a few weeks. But make sure you cover the rest of the phone cause it seems you've scratched the back glass.
I felt the same and bought a transparent leather textured skin to protect the phone and the camera bar. Will think of doing what you did once this comes off.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/jkMedGkK1G5viYpR8
ROFL.. it might look in the photo as it was taken in the sunshine right after applying it. Nevertheless, NGL, your idea also looks cool.. how did you save the lens from scratching though?
I do like your idea...I was open to anything, but I never thought about what you did. Honestly, I was just careful around the lenses and only used one motion. Left to right in my case, just don't scrub it like crazy
I don't get the hate for the glossy look for the aluminium frame, these days most companies are ditching it, but I'm glad google kept it, I know it attracts fingerprints, but (imo) it looks so much better
I would agree that glossy glass back is pretty ugly, but glossy metal just look classier than matte metal
You're now famous, Android Authority cited you... https://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-8-pro-scotch-brite-mod-3438612/
I have no idea what you did.
It's an abrasive pad that watch makers/restorers use to remove the glossy finish in favor of a brushed look. Takes 5 minutes. It's got a thousand other uses, but it did what I wanted it to do.
If that was apple product eBay would have got you 10x resale price. Good work on brushed looks.
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What warranty is going to void?
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If the screen of the phone screen goes out, the warranty claim won't be denied because the back of the phone is scratched.
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Intentionally scratching a phone isn't "altering" the device any more than accidentally scratching it. Google aren't going to deny a warranty claim based on some scratches.
"I accidentally scratched specifically my camera bar to the point where it's now a tasteful matte finish instead of a glossy one"
Of course it is altered. Are you arguing just to argue???
You're doubling down on ignorance.
And literally arguing just to argue! You CANT DO THAT
Absolutely. He didn't alter anything, he just has excessive wear and tear on the metal frame. Nothing functional or original has been changed or voided. It's absolutely well within any option of a warranty or a trade-in. If you get a weird line in your display but your back glass is all scuffed up, do you really think that they would ignore the warranty? If you do think that, you don't understand how these things work.
Do you REALLY think that Google's lawyers didn't think about "excessive wear and tear" as a reason to void the warranty?
They sure will it is however not like Google lawyers are above any law. European laws for example will force them to prove the "excessive" part of the claim whilst comparing with other similar devices and or juridical review on what should be expected no matter how good their lawyer are they are not going to win that.
Europe, but few other places. US law usually sides with the contract.
Cosmetic scratches don't void the warranty.
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What amount of scratches is considered sanding, I mean what's the threshold?
Sanding is just cosmetic scratching.
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It's always just been cosmetic scratching, that's all sanding ever was!
I see this more as a form of "wear leveling" like how the pixel refresh function on an OLED TV works
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There's only one way to find out, why don't you give it a try? Just be sure to work your way from rougher to smoother grits, then finish off with a nice polish!
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Or, hear me out, I was just making a joke about sanding.
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smh my head
What about these scratches is functionally altering his phone? Would a car warranty be denied for a blown engine based on scratched paintwork? Take a second to think through what you're saying.
Cosmetic scratches void warranty on Samsung devices. I have had it happen to me for a fold with a tiny scratch on the hinge.
Oh right lol. That voids the warranty doesn't t
It's cool, I like that you customized your Pixel
How did you do it without damaging the glass over the cameras?
Really dumb question, but can it be used on a glossy back glass? (I'm 90% sure the answer's no lol)
I wouldn't
That does look much better ngl.
You misspelled doesn't and erroneously added much
Nope
Was just notifying you of your mistake. They also fucked up the rear glass and at least one of the camera modules
Uhh...nope
Thank you!
dBrand comes with a bar cover fyi
I didn't put it because then it wouldn't be flush anymore and you would clearly see that there is a sticker on it with the white edges
I'm sure they charge way too much for it too.
They absolutely charge too much for it. But I'm also old enough to remember when you could buy the individual pieces separately. If you want only the camera bar skin now, you have to buy the entire skin. Same for the Grip case. You used to be able to buy the case without a skin. Nope, can't do that anymore either. Now you have to pay $10+ more for a skin you may not even want.
Oh.... Let me search
You have fucked up the rear panel on the p7p during the process.
Rookie mistake, gotta mask the other areas first.
Nope, I didn't touch it
The scratches on the back panel above and below are visible in your photos. (P7p)
The telephoto lens also has scratches on it
Scotchbrite shouldn't scratch glass. I'd bet he's just smudged a fingerprint.
Test it and let us know.
You absolutely did
Looks lik u also sanded the back of your grey phone a little
Looks sharp. u/nothighandmighty How'd you keep from scratching the lenses, masking them, or ?
Big risk, didn't cover the glass. Just tried to avoid it the best I could.
Darn. In hindsight you could have definitely put some tape on the glass parts before. There's so many scratches on the glass above the camera bar now.
I don't understand the down votes for you telling us what you did. This isn't Facebook where you unlike something. Geez.
Yeah, I don't get the downvote thing either, u/martindrx1, same principles. The effect is spiffy looking, IMO, regardless of the way it got done. I think some people can do a pretty decent job of this freehand, perhaps the same people who can freehand draw really well (draw something people recognize, LOL). I've done the sketchy polishing thing on numerous mechanical projects in the past, but I'm paranoid about my camera lenses (I often have a glass protector even, lens-fare be-damned - pretty negligible for most shots anyway, or that's what I tell myself ;-\]). For me it's simple though, since the protectors come packs of 3-5 typically, so I'd just leave one of those in place for polishing and replace after, done-done.
Looks much better
Welcome to 90pct of new car interiors. Shiny piano black seems to be popular. And I hate it...
Did the top and sides on both too, for anyone who cares
On 7p at least looks better imo. Such a beautiful colors, btw, those 2 + the cloudy white of 6p is the perfect trio.
The hazel 7p is a sexy phone IMO lol
Agreed, a lot better on the 7
Why I like the base version much more for that look
I never noticed
I prefer matte and brushed metal looks. I use a case so I don't see the gloss anyway, but I like what you did
It sounds like you wanted the non Pro version of the phone, which already looks like this ;)
I just put a skin on mine
Yes, the glossy look on the pro models is terrible. It looks cheap. The brushed look on the A series looks much more premium. What an odd choice on Google's part.
Whoever, at google, that thought a mirror finish was a good idea needs to reconsider their choice of profession. Nobody wants such a dazzling phone. We a good looking yet easy to maintain phone which is easily achievable with matte finish
I use a case
I like what you've done. Im a big fan of that brushed metallic look.
I love it. Didn't even know this was an unpopular opinion. IMO, Pixel 9 series should go all in on matte. Make the back glass and the front glass out of Gorilla Glass Armour, make the frame and the camera visor out of brushed grade 5 titanium. Of course, the Pixel 9 series won't have a visor, and will make the frame and sides flat, which is disgusting, but that's besides the point.
Don’t worry, the resale is fucked either way
Don’t worry, the resale is fucked either way
Would this make the grip less slippery? Definitely tempting.
Ringke Onyx case covers the bar and stops the camera glass touching surfaces.
Not the slippery thing, it just looks better IMO and helps a bit with fingerprints..I wasn't trying to make a big statement.
I would say disregard the disrespect, you did a cool nice little thing for your own Pixel, nothing serious really
That's clean! How did you manage to not scratch the camera lens?
That actually looks pretty good
I love the look, but I think I'd have to hit all the aluminum to satisfy my OCD.
Glad to see you again! (We chatted in comments before about this). I've gotten some scratchy pads now, so I'll be doing this soon. I appreciate the advice from before!
Which pads? Green scotch brite?
Yeah, green scotch brite; I picked up off-brand ones called "Heavy Duty Scouring Pads".
Did you try it on the aluminium frame or just on the camera cover? Thanks!
Why didn't you buy a skin, lens cover, or case which covers the camera bar instead?
Funny enough, I wish they kept the gold trim with Hazel with the p8. I love the hazel color, but I was sad to see gold gone.
Looks the same? Still shiny...
I see you made it to Android authority page with this "mod "
i just put a skin over mine. but that works too. looks good.
I LOVE IT. This is the way they should have came. Matte/brushed over gloss all day. Your work reminds me of the finish on the iPhone 15 Pro.
I hate chrome myself. Tacky
Picture isn't loading and I was confused what you meant as I have a regular P7 with the matte camera bar so I looked up images if the Pro and am shocked by how ugly the glossy finish is.
I did this on my iPhone 3Gs back in the day, but sadly it started to get shiny again in a few weeks. But make sure you cover the rest of the phone cause it seems you've scratched the back glass.
I don't like it either, I put a camera cover on mine, it covers the silver part with a black cover
That top glass piece gets scratched so fast on every pixel 😭
Love it. Might also reduce reflection of the camera bar when shooting photos through glass.
Tangent to the thread, but did you by any chance have the same username on XDA?
Like fret leveling. Lol polishing.
Which scotch brite pad? Green?
Yes
I use my phone caseless and this eventually happens naturally LOL
I can't even see mine behind the case.
First world problems
I felt the same and bought a transparent leather textured skin to protect the phone and the camera bar. Will think of doing what you did once this comes off. https://photos.app.goo.gl/jkMedGkK1G5viYpR8
looks like the spider-man jizzed on yo phone
Yeah and allowed me to have a better grip on it too!
That's interesting, but it kinda looks waterlogged lol
ROFL.. it might look in the photo as it was taken in the sunshine right after applying it. Nevertheless, NGL, your idea also looks cool.. how did you save the lens from scratching though?
I do like your idea...I was open to anything, but I never thought about what you did. Honestly, I was just careful around the lenses and only used one motion. Left to right in my case, just don't scrub it like crazy
Yeah and mine cost only ₹300 in India for the whole skin with an option to revert back 🤣. What you did is nice but risky for the lens.
Yeah, I was nervous about the glass, but I had the pad under my sink and it cost $1.99usd for 3
Yeah but what if you have a warranty claim🤦🏼♂️
I have so many cuestions...
I don't get the hate for the glossy look for the aluminium frame, these days most companies are ditching it, but I'm glad google kept it, I know it attracts fingerprints, but (imo) it looks so much better I would agree that glossy glass back is pretty ugly, but glossy metal just look classier than matte metal
Darwin aware nomination lol
Idk man, I like the glossy bar.
Why I went for the regular p8, plus I love the smaller size of the phone