Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 72

OK. I am extremely anal about protecting my new VP. I have a zippered case. I barely touch it with anything except the stylus. Yet, after 2 mos., I am already seeing places wear the paint is eiter wearing THIN, or rubbing off completely. Expecially around the stylus slot. Is there anyone out there who paid $300 for this otherwise great product that is STEAMED about this? What's the recourse? This is a BIG problem for someone as obsessive as I am.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Misplaced Canuck in Charleston SC
Posts: 257

Perhaps I just have low expectations or standards, but the paint wear I'm seeing on my Platinum isn't really any worse than what I would expect from any other painted surface that sees a lot of contact and use. I've had mine for 3 months now.

Some of the paint on my up/down buttons has worn off because I use those buttons quite a bit while I'm reading books or scrolling. My datebook button is also showing signs of fading, because it's usually the button I hit most. Paint wear in the stylus silo shouldn't be too unexpected because it's yet another friction point.

A friend of mine used to keep his Platinum on the desk where it would slide around, so he's got a couple of worn down patches on the back. He's since started using the hard case to protect the back when it's sitting on his desk.

There have been problems reported with Platinum paint peeling off, but I haven't seen that with mine. Painted surfaces wear out with contact. It's a fact of life. Perhaps Handspring should have picked a more durable paint. Is there one? *shrug*

I've got my Platinum in a Vaja leather case now, and the paint wear on the buttons hasn't increased significantly thanks to the vinyl cover over the buttons.

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Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 23

The paint has been wearing on my Prism for some time-- it appears to be a common problem with the new "painted" units.

At some point Handspring was replacing units with worn paint, but I'm not sure if they're still doing that. Most users who had their Prisms replaced have reported the paint problem on the 'new' units, as well. As the earlier reply indicated, this is something that will happen when painted plastics are used on a handheld device.

Hopefully, they've learned their lesson about this particular design, and will stick to colored plastics, not painted plastics.

You MIGHT want to try asking Handspring to replace your Platinum with one of the new "Graphite" colored Platinums.

-kirb

Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 72

"Platinum" paint

I was suspicious when I noticed in the store that only one side of the battery cover was painted. You're right. They should have used a silver colered plastic instead of just spray-painting. H-S is usually very thoughtful in anticipating of these units will be handled, and I incorrectly assumed that the paint would be much more durable. Cheers.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Midwest
Posts: 232

Of course, after the paint problems Handspring has had, they made the Edge out of metal. Even the colored versions probably aren't painted, but instead anodized.

Paints, even epoxy based ones, can not resist abrasion forever. And most are no more resistant to wear than the plastic they cover. So those of you complaining about paint wearing off need to realize that the same abrasion on a non-painted plastic case would result in abraded areas on the plastic. They too would be visible. The same color, but a different finish texture. A visible worn spot.

What am I going to do when my Platinum starts showing an unexceptable amount of wear? Probably take the case apart and re-paint it. That's what I do with every other painted object I own. The cost of a can of platinum colored spray paint is probably less than the cost to ship one back to handspring. I KNOW it's less than the cost of the stress-reducing pills you probably take if you're too anal about your platinum's paint.

Dave ;-)

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Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 72

platinum paint

Do it yourself paint? This could be the next cottage industry. Mom and Pop Visor refinishers. (While you wait)

Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 6

Damn Paint!

Yeah, that whole color rubbing off crap is really pissin' me off. I'm 17 years old and $450 isn't easy to come by -(and I doubt that I'm the only one that falls in that category). You'd think that after paying that much for it you'd have something that might look worth half a thousand dollars. Well, I guess it does, for about two weeks! I've had mine for just over two weeks and there is consider wear and tear on the paint job on the back of the unit. I don't use it while I'm saving the world or anything either, the paint comes off just from having it sit on a desk or by pulling out of my pocket. I'm pretty close to calling up Handspring and asking for assistance, although I am a bit hesitant cause I know exactly what they are gonna tell me: "I'm really sorry that there isn't more I can do for you, but all I am authorized to do is offer you a new refurbrished unit for X amount of dollars" - which I know will do the same damn thing. The reason why this pisses me off so much is when a new Palm computer comes out I plan on upgrading and hence selling my current Prism on ebay. Unfortunatly if it look like the way it does I can't expect a very good return on it, even if the screen is mint! Well, sorry about being all full off piss and **** here, any advice would help.

Thanks,
Chris

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 54

Removed the cover?

Has anyone removed their covers from their Plat or Priz??

I think it would look cool to use my friends airbrush and brush on some cool artwork on the shell...or perhaps spray it silver and then clear coat it!!

Just a thought....was wondering if anyne has taken theirs apart!

- josh

Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 6

Cool Idea

Hey if, I pry the case off my and send it to yah, could you airbrush some cool stuff onto it? I'm into the rave scene and would love to trip out my palm.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 57

graphite not painted?

so, then, the graphite case for the VDX and the new Platinums is colored plastic, not painted?

Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 72

platinum

I think the Visor solo, Dx, and graphite prism all look exactly the same now