Discolored Nook rear cover

[lilio]

I think they sell silicone covers on BN also.  Those or skins could help prevent the problem. 

I would consider wiping with a damp cloth also.  You could put a little soap on as long as you wiped off again with clear water a couple of times.  When I say clear water, I do not mean running water.  I would one rinse the cloth and wring almost dry.  I would not like to leave soap on these covers because it is a bit corrosive to some surfaces. Be very careful, because they say to not get your nook wet in the rain. 

[lilio]

Thanks Adamselene:  it is good to have a real explanation.  i was assuming,as others have,  that it was dirt/oil etc.since the plastic back is not smooth (probably to assist in gripping). Mine has gathered a few finger prints which I have gently wiped off.   I will check your link. to google in case I develop "brown spots" not just fingerprints..

[AdamSelene]

Re rain, a common thing among Kindle owners is to use a clear plastic map case.  Protects it from both water and sand (think beach), though I still wouldn't submerge it.

In any case, a physical barrier will not prevent, or even deter, the type of discoloration I mentioned (same as the old MacBook issue).

[HannahK1012]

To the OP:

Does anyone in your house smoke? I can picture the exact type of discoloration that you're describing, where the rubbery finish on the plastic wears down. I notice it happening to computers at work (with the same rubbery texture) that are used by smokers. Some Windex on a paper towel usually gets it off.

I am using a case to prevent this from happening to my nook.

[icebike]

>The back cover of my week old Nook is trurning brown at wear points on the corners and the middle of the bottom.  Looks terrible and isn't going to help the people I've shown it to decide to buy a Nook.

How are you carrying the nook and what are you resting it on when reading? 

I wonder if it is absorbing a wood-stain or furnature polish or something similar from desks or tables.

I haven't seen any discoloration and I am one of the first customers to get a nook. 

I carry it around without a case or any protection, sometimes in an inside jacket pocket.

[WarrenNYC]

Thanks for the link, Alley415. Even though my nook is kept in a cover, I did order one of their skins. Fortunately, I haven't experienced a discoloration problem and will do what I can to keep my nook looking new.

Alley415 wrote:

http://www.decalgirl.com/category.view/Barnes-and-Noble-Nook

We have skins for many of our devices including the Kindles from decalgirl.  They are vinyl and peal off easily without leaving any indication they were ever there.  I highly recommend them.  They are also neat in that they provide a screen saver that matches the decal.

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[bkai]

It's a defect plain and simple and I'm definitely going to call B&N to request a new back (free of course).  I keep all of my electronic devices in prestine condition.  The nook is no exception... I don't put it in sleves, pockets, etc. and I always put it back in the hard plastic case it was shipped in when I'm not using it (because I'm waiting on an official case from B&N).  I've only had the nook since Dec. 23rd and if ANY part of it should be worn... it's the bottom corners where I always hold it... not the top ones.

[icebike]

Mine has never been in that hard plastic case since the day I got it. Way too much trouble to get it properly mounted in there, and shouldn't be necessary anyway.  Its a tool, not a jewel.

Mine sits on the desk, the nightstand, the coffee table, in my big inside jacket pocket, etc. 

So far no discoloration, not that it would bother me all that much. 

When you put it in the case, do you use that elaborate mount?  Maybe contact with the case itself is the problem? 

[CaliMar]

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bkai wrote:

It's a defect plain and simple and I'm definitely going to call B&N to request a new back (free of course).  I keep all of my electronic devices in prestine condition.  The nook is no exception... I don't put it in sleves, pockets, etc. and I always put it back in the hard plastic case it was shipped in when I'm not using it (because I'm waiting on an official case from B&N).  I've only had the nook since Dec. 23rd and if ANY part of it should be worn... it's the bottom corners where I always hold it... not the top ones.

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What's stoping you?  When you say you're "going to" that's future tense.  If you have something that you believe is defective why haven't you already sought remediation?  You've had it for 2 weeks - if you're going to call, then call.

[bkai]

I'm not talking about the entire jewel box... just the part that snaps onto the top-middle and bottom-middle.  So essentially nothing touches the corners at all.    Especially the top corners.  I've ruled everything out so far aside from "defect".  They just started turning dark brown out of the blue.  I've had other devices do this as well and normally it's a result of improper assembly conditions (too much moisture in the air) or just a bad batch of whatever they spray onto the plastic.

I should also note that I have an original MacBook (white) and it still looks prestine white!    LOL  I use it daily!

[bkai]

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CaliMar wrote:

What's stoping you?  When you say you're "going to" that's future tense.  If you have something that you believe is defective why haven't you already sought remediation?  You've had it for 2 weeks - if you're going to call, then call.

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Because I wanted to be sure I didn't miss anything that could potentially be causing this and call up B&N making a claim based on false information.  There's nothing wrong with prudence... in fact there is a growing lack of this in the world. 

[bkai]

Here are the bottom corners (the corners I hold which are the ones that should fade if at all):

And here are the top corners that are beginning to fade for no apparent reason (definitely NOT normal wear and tear after only 2 weeks of very careful use):

[icebike]

Great pictures.

That doesn't look like fading.  Looks more like Heat damage or something.

Any shots of the inside?   (The back comes off easy using that tab where you plug it in).

[BartleyR7]

Like others, I agree this appears to be something more than wear and tear.  The brown striations in your last picture are odd.

For those that don't use a case, does that part of nook get warm?  I just took mine out of the case and looked at it, but no discoloration.  I have had it since December 24.

Like icebike asked, I'd be interested to see if there is any discoloration on the inside of the case or the back of nook itself.

[cummings66]

I've often wondered why my Nook doesn't get any warmer than it does.  I've used it all day long on occasions and haven't noticed it being warmer than body temperature.

[bkai]

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icebike wrote:

Great pictures.

That doesn't look like fading.  Looks more like Heat damage or something.

Any shots of the inside?   (The back comes off easy using that tab where you plug it in).

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This is exactly what I thought after ruling out normal wear and tear but the inside of the case looks perfectly normal.  I'll try to get some pictures of the inside up later today.

But to answer the other questions... no, it doesn't get hot at all.  The nook (like all the other readers) uses very little power.  At least when talking about the eInk screen.  The longest I've gone in a single sitting is about 3 hours without the nook heating up even the slightest bit.  The back/top corners of the inside backing (the black plastic containing all the innards of the nook) also looks perfectly fine with no indication of smoke or heat escaping the device.

[MikeyG]

It's almost as if a disgruntled worker on the production line took a lighter to it.  I'm pretty sure that the nook would not generate enough heat to cause this to happen.  Also, if the inside is not damaged then it has to be something other than the nook that caused this.

[bkai]

I hope you're not referring to normal wear and tear because I promise you that's not the case here.  Especially after only 2 weeks.

There is a very thin rubber-like coating on the back (can't remember the name of the material).  This coating is either sprayed on or dipped.  Since this coating does not include the inside of the back cover I would assume it is sprayed on.  To me this means that something during the manufacturing process is messed up... whether that be chemically, or physically I don't know.  But it's pretty obvious that the coating is either losing its grip in those top corners or reacting to normal air in a bad way.

[bkai]

Sorry if some of these are a little dark or hard to see... I don't have the best lighting in my office.

Inside Back-Right: (top)

Inside Back-Left: (top)

Inside Bottom-Right/Left:

Full Inside Back:

Full Back:

[BartleyR7]

I don't notice any brown discoloration on your inside shots.  As you mentioned, they are kind of dark.  Do you notice any there?

I'd probably go ahead and call them about it.  The back should not be brown.  Do you happen to know if it's getting any worse or if it's fairly static?