White iPhone discoloration: Not just heat

I don't know what type of plastic Apple is using but I would not be surprised if they used some blend of polycarbonate. If, in fact, it is polycarbonate I would be cautious in using alcohol to clean as isopropyl alcohol can accelerate stress cracking - try to get a commitment from Apple Technical Support that it is OK before proceeding. That way if it does start to crack and craze Apple will be on the hook. If they won't commit to a cleaning method, the weaker the alcohol and shortest duration the better.

http://www.hardmac.com/news/2009/07/05/iphone-3gs-turning-red-a-problem-with-some-protection-enclosure

iPhone 3GS Turning Red: A Problem with Some Protection Enclosure?

Last week we were reporting about cases of iPhone 3GS white having part of their backside turning red after being extensively used, indicating a potential damage linked to overheating.

However, we have received additional details that could provide a good explanation to the relatively low number of reported reddish iPhone 3GS:

- According to discussion between FrenchiPhone editor and Apple Support, the red strips are not linked to a potential overheating of the iPhone 3GS, but rather to a chemical reaction due to a component found in some protection enclosure originally sold to preserve the precious device! Indeed, they could show that a small label sticked on the enclosure prevented the corresponding area on the backside of the iPhone to turn red.

- One solution to get the iPhone 3GS white back is to clean the backside with alcohol (they tested it successfully), and it perfectly work.
So, this should mark the end of this one week-long story. Do not use acetone instead of ethanol/alcohol.

I have a 32GB White that I use enough to just about drain it flat every day. It lives in a "Power Support Air Jacket for iPhone 3G" that I got from the Apple online store and have had zero problems, except for unreliable Bluetooth that appears to be effecting 3.0 OS devices.

If it is anything like the blasted white keyboards, users LOVE typing right after eating Cheetohs. I can only imagine the disgusting things that a phone would pick up on it.

A Mr. Clean magic eraser should do the trick. It's always helped clean white plastic for me. #xbox360

Correct me if I'm wrong (well, duh, of course people will) but doesn't alcohol actually MELT plastic? It's like Frank Drebin says about drinking Draino: "Yeah, it'll clean you out, but it leaves you empty inside."

Correct me if I'm wrong (well, duh, of course people will) but doesn't alcohol actually MELT plastic? It's like Frank Drebin says about drinking Draino: "Yeah, it'll clean you out, but it leaves you empty inside."

"Additionally, they state that cleaning the effected area with a cloth and some rubbing alcohol will remove the stain."

Not to be a grammar whore but the word is AFFECTED with an a. Keep in mind that affected is usually the adjective/verb whereas effect is a noun (such as special effects).

Carry on.

How about you clean your gruddy/dirty hands once in a while. I'm sure the phone is not made out of non-porous plastic, so the grime will get in the pores of the plastic eventually!

The person at the apple store said that the white back was made of ivory, and as with all ivory it discolors over time.