What are the cases made from? how are they finished?

[jessenator]

I'm sure this answer changes from generation/model to generation/model.

I searched for two hours so hopefully this isn't covered elsewhere, and I'm just a moron...

Specifically I'm wondering about the compacts: plus, SE/30, and CC. There's a plastic main shell but it seems to me there's another layer? It's not paint is it?

E.g. the Plus: the front/bezel part of the case fits into the main/rear part of the case. There's a discernable difference in color and texture at these joins.

I swear I've seen the insides of cases that are just black ABS looking, in stark contrast to the platinum, beige or other finish.

I'm thinking mainly about repairs to the surface, and not retr0brite discoloration repairs—that's been well covered. I'm thinking about scratches, scuffs, gouges, cuts and the like.

Is it possible to get down to the base plastic (if the reality is that it's a coating of some sort)?

Can you use filler , color match and hope for the best?

This is a multifaceted question I guess.

Thanks for the responses/direction

 

[bibilit]

Cases were made of ABS, insides where black or dark grey and probably painted.

The Portable for instance was painted silver/chrome plated look in the inside.

 

[jessenator]

Thanks for the reply. 

So the outside is kind of like a car's paint? primer, filler layers, base coat, texture coat?

 

[Johnnya101]

Not at all. It's simply a plastic case with texturing... The inside has some shielding paint. Literally just abs plastic. I've seen broken shells, it's just the same color and material all throughout.

 

[jessenator]

Not at all. It's simply a plastic case with texturing... The inside has some shielding paint. Literally just abs plastic. I've seen broken shells, it's just the same color and material all throughout.

Ah, so the MOLD is what gives it the texture. gotcha. Thanks for the clarification.

I wonder if one could use mold silicone or something, take a "cast" of the texture and then use that to apply a correct-ish pattern on whatever filler and paint used for deep gouges and such. Surely someone's tried that.

 

[Johnnya101]

I don't think so, but sounds like it would work.