Fitting the Mold
Are you getting bent out of shape over that damaged iPad back cover? A warped iPad back cover can turn a challenging iPad repair into a nightmare in a matter of seconds, and replacement iPad back covers can be expensive and difficult to source. After reading several concerns from users of the Repair Community we decided to take action and research to find the right fix. We spoke with Ryan Critchett of iMobileRescue and Dustin Studer of Iowa iRepair, who were both kind enough to share some information on the tools and tricks they use to fix iPad back covers.
It all started on the Repair Community with this:
Dustin Studer, Iowa iRepair: “Basically I welded a socket driver to a pair of vice grips and use a standard wood corner clamp. With the iPad in the clamp (no need to clamp down, just use it for the 90 degree angle) you torque down on the vice grip. If you have everything set right it will bend the corner out. It seems to work better on iPods due to the small size of the lip on iPads. I also use the wood clamp and push the back of a metal sponger so the tool won't slip out and bust your knuckles.”
Ryan Critchett of iMobileRescue graciously provided the following photos and information detailing his process for reshaping iPad back covers.
"The aluminum frame on the iPad device is quite fragile. Some have called it soft aluminum."
"One of the most important first steps in ensuring you don't further damage the aluminum is to super gently bend it back into place with the pliers. Too much force will likely break parts of the aluminum off unnecessarily. It should be a slow, deliberate bend, applying the right amount of pressure, and constantly using the frame's behavior as a feedback mechanism for force."
"The tool that we're using is called a "rotary tool," and can be purchased at any Home Depot for less than $100.00. It comes with many extensions, 2-5 of which, with most rotary tools, are sanding extensions, specifically for grinding these kinds of materials down to create a smooth surface."
"The rotary tool should also be applied with extreme precision. Too much grinding will take the aluminum too far inward, because it's actually sanding away parts of the edge, so as with the force of the pliers, use the behavior of the aluminum as a feedback mechanism."
"After a couple goes at the rotary tool, you should be able to run your finger across the edge, and it should feel nearly identically smooth to the original condition of the aluminum."
"The final test of course is to see if the bezel fits back onto the device flush. If so, then you've successfully grinded the edge and reshaped the device, if not, approach it a second time, utilizing the precision of the pliers to bend the aluminum out of the way of the bezel, and the grind capacity of the rotary tool, to smooth off the edges."
And there you have it: with some knowledge, the right tools and a lot of patience your customers' mangled iPads will look good as new! Thanks again to Dustin Studer for starting the fire on this hot subject, and a big thanks to Ryan Critchett for adding fuel to that fire in the form of high-quality photos and information. Stay tuned for troubleshooting tips, industry news, and all the latest from eTech Parts.