Probably one of the biggest concerns for many is why transparent phone cases turn brown. Very often, this comes from a mixture of environmental factors and material interactions that may result in discoloration, thereby ruining their sleek, transparent look. In this article, we will deeply explore the main reasons why a transparent phone case would turn brown and provide the insights to prevent it.
Table of Contents
why do clear phone case turn brown
Chemical Reaction: More than anything else, this is a series of chemical reactions at the core. More often than not, construction materials for transparent cases are either silicone, TPU, thermoplastic polyurethane, or plastic blends. While such materials are strong and flexible, they tend to react with several media that exist in the environment.
One of the major causes of discoloration is oxidation: Oxygen in the air reacts with the materials, thus degrading the material over time. This procedure is accelerated through exposure to sunlight, heat, and humidity, all common in daily use.
Ultraviolet Exposure: The ultraviolet portion of sunlight contains the maximum energy potential that could possibly damage any plastics or polymers. That’s because it disrupts the molecular structure of the case material, leading to the formation of free radicals that react with other molecules, which is what causes discoloration.
Skin Oils and Dirt: Human skin secretes natural oils, which accumulate on the outer skin. Added to this, the dirt, dust, and every other particle are likely to stick to the case and turn into catalysts of the chemical reactions that complete the discoloration process.
Temperature Fluctuations: Severe changes in temperature cause the expansion and shrinkage of the materials that compose the case. This opens up micro-cracks in it, increasing the surface area for oxidation and dirt accumulation.
How can I prevent my transparent case from turning brown
Keep it away from direct sunlight and high temperatures.
It is due to sunlight, especially the ultraviolet component, that there exists discoloration in plastic and polymer materials. Keep the phone case as far from direct sunlight as possible.
Also, never leave your phone case in any hot cars, at the beach, or directly under the sun for too long. Heat enhances the material’s chemical reactions and supports oxidation and discoloration.
Regular Wipe with Soft, Damp Cloth:
This will help to keep dirt, dust, and especially skin oils from accumulating on the case surface to act as catalysts for discoloration. Cleaning regularly will remove dirt, dust, and skin oils from the case surface; use a soft, lint-free cloth dampened with water or a mild, alcohol-free cleaner developed specifically for cleaning electronic devices.
Avoid the use of abrasive materials, harsh chemicals, or solvents, as these will scratch the case surface. Rub the case gently in a circular motion, taking special care around corners and crevices where dirt tends to build up.
Store in a Cool, Dry Place:
Keep your phone and the case in a cool, dry area with good ventilation. Thereby you will minimize changes in temperature and humidity, both causing discoloration.
What color of phone case can prevent discoloration
Black Phone Case: Black is a very classical and dirt-resistant color. Its deep nature does not allow slight discoloration or stains on the surface of the phone case to show up easily. In addition, black phone cases can block ultraviolet rays, which in turn decrease the speed at which their material ages.
Dark Phone Cases: Besides black, dark shades of gray, dark blue, and dark green are also pretty good. Basically, all these colors have the same trait of being resistant to dirt and are hence very effective in covering discoloration or stains. However, one must also keep in mind that a dark phone case is prone to absorbing heat during summers or high-temperature environments and must not be exposed to such temperatures for long.
Electroplated or Metallic Phone Cases: An electroplated phone case is when an already soft phone case is coated with a thin layer of metal. This material is wear-resistant, resistant to oxidation and resistant to discoloration. The metallic phone cases are also resistant to the same, as the metal reflects the light and does not directly undergo ultraviolet rays, which delay the discoloration process.
Does discoloration have a long-term impact on phone cases
Yes, discoloration affects phone casings in the long term. Aesthetic levels of phone cases, no doubt, are hurt by discoloration. Particularly in those cases that are originally transparent or semi-transparent, to show off the color and design of the phone itself, it is clear that discoloration does not make them so nice-looking anymore. Color change may be due to exposure to many factors, including UV radiation, high temperature, and chemical erosion, which will accelerate the aging, oxidation, and degradation processes of the material used in making a phone case and therefore cause discoloration.
Furthermore, discoloration can be due to the general hygiene of the phone case. Dirt, dust, and skin oils collect on the surface, making the phone case discolored and a perfect ground for bacteria. The potential hygiene hazard may be a case of massive discoloration that is hard to clean.
Can I restore the original color of a faded transparent phone case
What has to be made clear here is that once a clear phone case suffers from serious discoloration, the process of returning it to its original color can turn out to be quite challenging. To explain, discoloration is usually the result of combined actions like ultraviolet radiation, high temperatures, chemical erosion, and wear with associated dirt accumulation in everyday use. These are the very factors that eventually cause different physical and chemical changes, such as aging, oxidation, or degradation, in the material of the phone case and lead to discoloration.
For the most part, restoration methods to restore the color that has been lost due to discoloration from a clear phone case do not work. While they improve the looks slightly, they do very little to improve the discoloration that has penetrated deep into the material. They will clean some surface stains but cannot reverse the underlying chemical reactions that cause discoloration.
Replacing the phone case: In most cases, when a clear phone case has been discolored beyond restoration by any of the methods outlined above, then replacement may be the easiest solution. A new phone case not only offers more protective features but also keeps your phone clean and nice to look at.