Where oh where can I get a new fascia/housing for SP5?

[Guest Thetechnogeek]

Had a bit of an accident with my SP5, such that there's now a great big scratch across the plastic screen. The phone is out of warranty, so I took it apart to remove the plastic screen to try to polish out the scratch- but basically it's too deep.

I've hunted high and low for a replacement fascia for any of the tornado variants (I don't care what it says on the front!), and have had no luck at all- iMate will not send any parts to anyone, and the really (un) helpful people at SBE (I-mates repair centre in the UK), aside from not actually answering their phones for hours at a time, also will not send parts.

I am now stuck- I am pretty finickity about the look of my phones, and really want to restore my SP5 back to it's former glory, but can't get the parts. I have even contemplated trying to cut a piece of glass to the right size (fat chance!).

Pretty please- can anyone help. I am based in the UK, but am happy to get this from anywhere that'll sell me one- a complete front fascia would be nice, but I'd settle for just the replacement "window" if needs be.

Thanks guys

[Guest w411y]

PM a member of the forum named Fluffcat1 :)

Edited August 1, 2006 by w411y

[Guest TripleB]

sorry to hear that, it's a bummer.

have you looked on ebay for parts? i've seen people in the past "part out" their phones and selling the parts on ebay.

[Guest Thetechnogeek]

sorry to hear that, it's a bummer.

have you looked on ebay for parts? i've seen people in the past "part out" their phones and selling the parts on ebay.

Yeah, have tried ebay, but over the last 6 weeks, I've not seen one. I'll try PM'ing Fluffcat as W4lly suggests. Thanks for your help guys

Update- tried PM'ing Fluffcat1, but no joy- says their personal messenger is disabled, or inbox full. Any other ideas?

Edited August 1, 2006 by Thetechnogeek

[Guest jm012a9749]

Yeah, have tried ebay, but over the last 6 weeks, I've not seen one. I'll try PM'ing Fluffcat as W4lly suggests. Thanks for your help guys

Update- tried PM'ing Fluffcat1, but no joy- says their personal messenger is disabled, or inbox full. Any other ideas?

he hasnt got the parts :) tried earlier this month.

Phil

[Guest Thetechnogeek]

he hasnt got the parts :D tried earlier this month.

Phil

Oh well, worth a go. Thanks for your help.

I can't beleive it's impossible to get parts for this phone! Maybe the situation will change when O2 launch the XDA IQ- same case as the SP5/8310 etc. If all else fails, I'll have a go at stealing an empty sample product from the shelf :) ;)

[Guest MetalMessiah78]

I know how you feel man. I tried buying a dummy off eBay to use for parts, and there are no parts you can use. It is built in such a way that you can't swap anything out.

Had a bit of an accident with my SP5, such that there's now a great big scratch across the plastic screen. The phone is out of warranty, so I took it apart to remove the plastic screen to try to polish out the scratch- but basically it's too deep.

I've hunted high and low for a replacement fascia for any of the tornado variants (I don't care what it says on the front!), and have had no luck at all- iMate will not send any parts to anyone, and the really (un) helpful people at SBE (I-mates repair centre in the UK), aside from not actually answering their phones for hours at a time, also will not send parts.

I am now stuck- I am pretty finickity about the look of my phones, and really want to restore my SP5 back to it's former glory, but can't get the parts. I have even contemplated trying to cut a piece of glass to the right size (fat chance!).

Pretty please- can anyone help. I am based in the UK, but am happy to get this from anywhere that'll sell me one- a complete front fascia would be nice, but I'd settle for just the replacement "window" if needs be.

Thanks guys

[Guest grumpy_old_technobyte]

Ive seen this stuff called DISPLEX SCRATCH REMOVER POLISH at tons of sites for display screens. Supposedly it sorta disolves part of the screen and ya smear it around for like 2-3 minutes. I have had no luck in finding replacement fascia, mines scuffed up too. Bloody bugger didnt protect it w/ screen protector before i bought SDA of fleabay. Rats.

I tried the toothpaste trick to no avail also. Anybody tried CD scratch removers yet? Id imagine it would be somewhat same principle seeing how the laser has to have clear shot to avoid skipping due to scratches.

[Guest Thetechnogeek]

Ive seen this stuff called DISPLEX SCRATCH REMOVER POLISH at tons of sites for display screens. Supposedly it sorta disolves part of the screen and ya smear it around for like 2-3 minutes. I have had no luck in finding replacement fascia, mines scuffed up too. Bloody bugger didnt protect it w/ screen protector before i bought SDA of fleabay. Rats.

I tried the toothpaste trick to no avail also. Anybody tried CD scratch removers yet? Id imagine it would be somewhat same principle seeing how the laser has to have clear shot to avoid skipping due to scratches.

I've tried them all- displex (OK), applesauce (not good), toothpaste (does nowt) and (if you live in a place where you know what it is), Brasso. Actually, the brasso was the best, but none of them got anywhere near restoring the screen to "as new".

I have actually taken the plastic screen out of my SP5 (if you're careful, you can remove it and get the rest of the fascia back together OK), so now I don't have a "window" at all...!

I have partially solved the problem.... by buying a Mteor. Makes sense as my work has just gone to 3G. Lovely phone, nice feel, a few bugs (not application unlockable being one of them!!), and I am getting a screen protector tomorrow!!

[Guest The Doctor]

I've tried them all- displex (OK), applesauce (not good), toothpaste (does nowt) and (if you live in a place where you know what it is), Brasso. Actually, the brasso was the best

;) i use brasso all the time! cleaned my m8s 6280 display up with it nicely the other day. didn't think to recommend it tho because you said the scratch was fairly deep. brasso only works on superficial scratches like those from keys etc. not on like chips from dropping it or scraping it on sharp stuff.

now however i am in need of a new housing myself. dropped it and now there is a huge gouge on the top right corner running from the black plastic just above the IR to the ariel cover :)

phil

[Guest drewid153]

Any updates in the hunt for housings???

[Guest Thetechnogeek]

Any updates in the hunt for housings???

I caved in and sent the phone off to the repairers for a new fascia. Looks all new now, but am about to sell it as I not have a Mteor. Seems like OEM housings will not be available to buy "off the shelf" any time soon.

[Guest The Doctor]

I caved in and sent the phone off to the repairers for a new fascia. Looks all new now, but am about to sell it as I not have a Mteor. Seems like OEM housings will not be available to buy "off the shelf" any time soon.

bah.... how much did it set you back? i'll be selling mine when i get my hermes

phil