ColorWare specializes in covering various electronics devices with a layer of resilient paint. Send your iPod to them and it'll come back much more unique than it was before you sent it in. However, they do not assume responsibility for data stored on your iPod, so make sure to back up everything on there to your computer's hard drive before you send your iPod off.
- Browse www.colorwarepc.com for the color you want. You can pay extra for “color combinations,” which most commonly paint the front of an iPod one color and the scroll wheel another. Arrows are usually painted white or black, whichever helps them stand out more.
- You'll see prices listed underneath the various models. That's because ColorWare sells prepainted iPods (and laptops and game consoles, for that matter) in various configurations and over 20 colors. If you'd rather buy a new iPod than have your old one painted, you can buy one on the site. Otherwise continue to step 3.
- At the top of the ColorWare website, click Services, and on the next page, choose Apple Services.
- Here, choose either Apple iPod (one color, more variety, $50–$65) or Apple iPod Color Combos (two colors, less variety, $85).
- Choose your color, clicking View Options to see what each one looks like. Then, pick your iPod model.
- If you own an iPod dock, still use the earbuds that came with the iPod, or use an iTrip FM transmitter, consider getting that colored the same tone ($10–$20 each).
- Pay for the service on colorwarepc.com, or use the alternate payment options (or call the customer service number).
- Print out the order slip from ColorWare's website and fill it out.
- Box your iPod up into the packaging it came with if you had it shipped; otherwise, put it in the original box and put that inside another cardboard box, perhaps with Styrofoam peanuts or other more environmentally friendly padding.
- Attach the order slip you printed out in step 8 and send it off to the address specified on ColorWare's site (in Winona, Minnesota).
- You'll get your iPod back in about 10 days, and you'll be astounded by the new coating, which gets rid of old scratches and is more resistant to new ones.
