OtterBox manufactures quality phone cases and accessories for cell phones. OtterBox cases are durable, and the protective features do not deteriorate throughout their lifetime. Sometimes there is unexpected damage to phone cases due to physical impact or over time. In this article, you will learn how to repair your OtterBox case yourself. And also how to repair or replace your OtterBox case during the warranty period.
How do I fix my OtterBox?
Stretching is the most common failure of silicone and rubber cases. Thermal shrinkage can help repair the damaged cases. It is necessary to heat the case and then cool it quickly. This process may damage the case and cause permanent deformations. In addition, phone cases with significant stretching do not always get back to their original size.
A torn case can be sealed with superglue. Suitable any cyanoacrylate glue, such as Gorilla Super Glue Gel XL. You can also pick up any other glue you like on Amazon. Cyanoacrylate glue is suitable for bonding all types of materials: silicone, rubber, plastic, metal, ceramics, etc. Therefore, the glue can be used to join broken parts of the case or repair cracks.
Yellowed and darkened clear OtterBox cases can fix the bleaching process. Bleaching is also suitable for white cases.
Polishing can help remove scratches from the OtterBox plastic case. It is best to use a diamond polishing paste with a 0.25-0.1 micron grain size for polishing. Deep scratches can be repaired with adhesive.
How to repair a stretched silicone OtterBox case?
A stretched silicone case can be repaired by shrinking it thermally. You must heat the case quickly and then cool it quickly. The shrinking process can permanently destroy your case. The temperature of heating for each shrink cover is determined by experience. Do not use thermal shrinking if the case is still under warranty.
To shrink the silicone case, do the following steps:
1. Remove the case from the phone.
2. Separate the case if the case has more than one part.
3. Wash the case in clean water. You can also wash the case in soapy water.
4. Heat the water to 80 degrees Celsius (176°F).
5. Drop the case into the heated water. Also put something in the water to keep the case from floating to the surface. You can hold the pouch with a spoon or fork.
6. Hold the case in the heated water for a minute.
7. Prepare a container of cool water. Keep the water as cold as possible. It is enough to add ice to the water.
8. Remove the case and place it on a flat surface. While the case is warm, correct any visible deformations. Once the case cools, you will not be able to correct the deformations. You may need to bend or straighten the case. Remember, the case is hot, so use a towel to prevent burns.
9. Then immerse the case in cold water for a couple of minutes. It is desirable to immerse the case quickly and evenly. To keep the case from floating, you should put something on the cover.
10. Take the case out and dry it. The sudden change in temperature should shrink the case and make it smaller. If you were unable to fix the case, the case may not have heated up enough and you need to heat the water more. Also, the sheath may have worn down a lot and shrinkage is not helping.
How do I fix my rubber OtterBox case?
A stretched rubber OtterBox case can also be fixed by thermal shrinkage. Rubber has a higher thermal threshold than silicone. Therefore, the rubber case needs to be heated harder. Evaluate the risks before shrinking, as the process can deform and seriously damage the case.
To shrink the rubber case, do the following steps:
1. Remove the case from the phone. Also remove the plastic case if the phone case has two parts.
2. Wash the rubber case in clean water or soapy water.
3. Prepare a container of cold water. Add more ice to the water.
4. Boil the water.
5. Immerse the OtterBox rubber case in the boiling water.
6. Press the case down with a spoon or something else, because the case will float to the surface.
7. Hold the rubber case in the boiling water for a couple of minutes.
8. Then take the case out. If the case is deformed, then straighten the case. Get a towel or something else, as the case can leave burns on your skin.
9. Immerse the case in ice water. It is important to put a hot carrying case in cold water. Therefore, do not let the sheath cool down when you take the sheath out of the hot water.
10. It is important to lower the whole sheath into the cold water and hold for a few minutes until it cools completely. The case should not float to the surface. Therefore, put pressure on the case with the objects you have on hand. At the same time, you do not need to put pressure on the case itself, as it may cause unnecessary deformation.
11. Take the case out of the cold water and dry it.
12. Evaluate the result of thermal shrinkage. If shrinkage is not successful, you may need to keep the rubber case in hot water longer. Also keep in mind that shrinkage will not help if the case is badly worn and stretched.
How do I stop my Otterbox from stretching?
There are several factors that cause the Otterbo case to stretch. The main one is taking the phone case on and off frequently. A new case usually fits tightly to the phone. Therefore, to remove and put the case on the phone, many users stretch a little bit the case to install the phone. After each such procedure case stretches and increases by several millimeters in size. So there is no need to remove the case without a good reason.
Another reason for stretching the silicone and rubber case is heat. Under the influence of high temperature, the phone case deforms. In your hands or in a pocket of your clothes, the case does not get hot. But in a car or with a high load the case can get very hot. Therefore, do not put the phone on the dashboard of a car on a sunny day. Also do not use the phone in the heat, as well as at the same time to charge the phone. This is not safe for the phone battery, and also accelerates the deterioration of silicone and rubber case.
Another reason for the stretching of the case – ultraviolet light. Sunlight accelerates the natural wear and tear of the silicone and rubber case. So you should use your phone less often in the sun to slow down the natural wear and tear of the case. If you do not plan to use the case for some time – hide the case in a dark and cool place.
Do Otterboxes have a lifetime warranty?
All Otterbox cases have a lifetime warranty:
OtterBox Private Collection and Limited Edition / Specialty Products – 1 or 2 year warranty.
OtterBox Outdoor Collection Products have a 5-year warranty.
OtterBox Smartphone Cases and Tablet Cases warranty is 7 years.
The warranty period is valid from the date of purchase of the case from the official OtterBox website or an authorized dealer. If the case is not purchased from an authorized dealer, then the warranty is not valid.
If a manufacturing or other defect in the OtterBox case or other Otter products occurs and Otter receives a valid claim no later than 60 calendar days after the expiration of the warranty period, then Otter may do the following:
- Repair the product.
- Replace the product with a new or reconditioned product.
- Replace the product with the same product or replace with a similar product.
For OtterBox Private Collection and Limited Edition / Specialty Products, the company does not guarantee replacement as the product may not be physically available. Similarly, the ability to replace discontinued cases and user-purchased colors is limited.
The warranty for replaced and repaired products cases only the remainder of the original warranty period. In addition, the warranty applies only to the original user and does not apply to any other user.
Please refer to the official OtterBox website for more information on the warranty.
How can I get a free OtterBox?
Otter may replace the case with a new one if the OtterBox is found to have manufacturing defects. To exchange your case, you will need to contact customer support to provide the necessary information. The company may request proof of purchase of the case and photos of the damage. However, the company does not ask for proof of purchase for cases purchased within one year.
Sometimes the company may request a return of a damaged case before receiving a new case. Shipping costs and taxes are paid by the user. If the customer does not comply, then the company may deny warranty replacement of the case.
Claims under warranty for the case and other products can be submitted online. You need to select the type of product, specify the date of purchase and pay for warranty and handling services. Warranty Shipping and Handling is billed on a per case basis. A shipping etiquette will then be generated for you to ship your old case.
Warranty information will be updated 72 hours after you provide the necessary information and a tracking number for the shipped case.
Is OtterBox ethical?
The company is responsive to product comments and offers to contact customer service if the problem can be corrected. The company may exchange or replace the case with a manufacturing defect. The company also accepts complaints after 60 days of warranty expiration. Therefore, you have an additional 2 months warranty on any product.
OtterBox products are made of synthetic materials. Polycarbonate, silicone and rubber do not release toxic compounds. Therefore, OtterBox cases are safe to use. Some cases are made from 50% recycled materials. OtterBox cases are also available with a silver coating for antimicrobial protection.
At the same time, some warranty issues are described vaguely. Thus, the company admits some damage to the case as natural wear and tear. However, it is difficult to understand what is considered natural wear and tear. In addition, the warranty is not given to users who bought the case from an unauthorized partner. Third parties or those who received the case as a gift will also have problems with the warranty. Since the warranty cases the first user who bought the product.
Perhaps the company is ethical. That said, like most companies, OtterBox uses gray area warranty coverage to reduce warranty costs.
FAQ
Will OtterBox replace my phone if it breaks?
The company is not responsible for damage to your phone in the OtterBox case. The company may replace the case if it receives reasonable grounds for believing that the damage was not the user’s fault. Therefore, the only way to get compensation for a damaged phone is through insurance. For a nominal fee, insurance companies will repair the phone even if the breakdown was the user’s fault. You can go to SquareTrade, Akko, or Geek Squad. Some phone manufacturers offer their own post-warranty repair service as well as accident repairs. Apple has AppleCare+ insurance, and Motorola has MotoCare.
Is OtterBox waterproof?
OtterBox cases are not completely waterproof. OtterBox cases are water-resistant and can protect your phone if it falls into a puddle or a small container of water. The case is also resistant to light rain. Therefore, the case will help protect your phone for a short time. Often this time is enough to get your phone out of the water and do without repair. It should also be understood that the case wears out, so the protective properties of the case every day deteriorate.
Can I return my OtterBox for a new one?
If the case has a warranty and the old case has manufacturing defects, then the company may exchange the case or send you a new case. You will need to contact Customer Support at 1-855-688-7269. Or contact support through the chat on the official website.
Does an OtterBox protect the screen from cracking?
OtterBox cases contain an edge of a few millimeters. Therefore, if the phone falls on a flat floor, the probability of damage to the screen is not high. If the phone falls on an uneven surface, however, then the screen may break. Therefore, for extra safety, it is recommended to install tempered glass to protect the phone screen.
Are Otterboxes worth the money?
OtterBox cases are worth their money. The cost of OtterBox cases is 30-70 USD excluding discounts. For this money you get a case with a clever design and high protective properties. Many users who buy OtterBox cases for the first time become regular customers. Therefore, with such a high price for the cases the company has not given up under the pressure of cheap cases and continues to progress.
What is the OtterBox guarantee?
OtterBox offers a global limited warranty. All OtterBox products are warranted for 1-7 years. For each product line, the warranty is set based on the life of the product. For the OtterBox Outdoor Collection Products series, the warranty is 5 years from the date of purchase. For OtterBox Smartphone Cases and Tablet Cases, the warranty period is 7 years. During the warranty period, you can contact customer service to exchange or replace the case if there is a manufacturing defect. Read more about the warranty on the official OtterBox website.
How do I contact my broken OtterBox case?
The support phone number is 1-855-688-7269. You can also contact support via live chat on the official website.
How many times will OtterBox replace Case?
OtterBox will replace the case if it receives a valid claim of a manufacturing defect. The warranty period does not increase after the case is replaced. If your warranty period is 5 years, and you replace the case after 4 years, you will only have 1 year of warranty. Even if your case is brand new, you will only have 1 year of warranty.
What happens if your OtterBox breaks?
If the breakage is not the fault of the user, the company will exchange the case or replace it with a new one. To do this, you need to make a complaint to the support service, provide a photo of the broken case and the receipt of purchase.
How can I fix my silicone case?
If the phone case is torn, you can seal the case with a universal adhesive. If the case has stretched over time, thermal shrinkage can help return it to its former shape. Bleaching can help remove the yellow tint from clear or white cases. You can use bleaching toothpaste or baking soda to whiten the case.
How do you glue silicone back together?
A universal cyanoacrylate adhesive will help bond the silicone. Degrease the damaged area with alcohol. Then apply the glue and join the damaged parts together. When using cyanoacrylate glue, do not allow the glue to come in contact with skin or eyes. Use safety glasses and gloves.
How do you fix a stretched rubber phone case?
Thermal shrinkage can be used. To do this, place the rubber case in boiling water and hold it for a few minutes. Then put the case in ice water. The sudden change in temperature will shrink the rubber and reduce the size of the case. There is still a risk that the case will be severely deformed.
How do you reattach rubber?
It is necessary to clean and degrease the surface before gluing. Then apply cyanoacrylate glue and bond the rubber together. In a couple of minutes the surface will set and in a few hours the bonding strength will increase.
How do you restore stretched silicone?
Stretched silicone can be restored through thermal shrinkage. If you put the silicone sleeve in hot water for a couple of minutes and then take it out and put it in ice water, the sleeve will shrink in size. There is still a risk that it will deform and become unusable.
Does silicone shrink when heated?
Silicone expands when heated. To shrink the silicone case, first heat the case in hot water and then cool it sharply in cold water. This process will compress the silicone case as much as possible. However, this method does not work on seriously worn cases.
How do you shrink stretched rubber?
You can put the rubber case in hot water, and then take it out and put it in ice water. This change in temperature often helps the rubber case repair itself. Also, as the case shrinks, it can become deformed and unusable.
Can torn silicone be repaired?
Some torn parts of the silicone sleeve can be sealed with glue. An original way to case holes is to sew or glue a piece of another case. Sometimes pieces of an unwanted case can transform a silicone case.
What is the best glue for silicone?
Cyanoacrylate glue is better for bonding silicone. Cyanoacrylate glue quickly and firmly glues all surfaces including glass, rubber, plastic and metal. It is therefore suitable for bonding silicone alone as well as silicone with other materials.
Does silicone stretch out over time?
Constant stretching and squeezing, temperature fluctuations, and exposure to UV light can cause the silicone case to stretch. High-quality silicone cases contain various additives that help them retain their original shape longer. Therefore, these types of cases can cost more than regular silicone cases for a couple of dollars.
Does freezing rubber shrink it?
Rubber can shrink slightly when frozen, as all materials do. Because the material shrinks as it cools and expands as it heats up. However, such changes are difficult to notice visually, because the change in size is insignificant.
Does drying silicone shrink?
Silicone tends to expand when heated. Some silicone cases may shrink when heated, as manufacturers are gradually adopting new technology to make cases. Almost no pure silicone is used to make a case. Manufacturers add other types of materials in different proportions to get new qualities and properties of the case.
How do you expand silicone?
You can heat the case sharply in hot water and then cool the case sharply in cold water. Sometimes it helps to expand the silicone case by washing it under hot running water and heating it with a hair dryer.
How do you make rubber expand?
You can warm up the case a little in hot water or with a hair dryer. The entire sheath should be heated evenly. The temperature difference in different parts of the case can cause permanent deformation.
Does hot water make rubber expand?
In most cases, the rubber case will expand slightly when immersed in hot water.
How do you shrink a rubber phone case?
You can put the rubber case in hot water to expand slightly. Then take the case out and put it in ice water. A sudden change in temperature will often help shrink the rubber case. However, there is always the possibility of deformation of the case.
How do you restore elasticity of rubber bands?
You can soak the rubber bands in liquid silicone or machine oil for a few minutes. Then the residue of the liquid silicone or oil should be collected with a dry cloth or towel.
Will Heat Shrink rubber?
In some cases, shrink-wrapping helps the rubber cases regain their shape. However, the shrinking process can seriously deform the case and make it unusable. Heat shrinking also rarely helps heavily worn and stretched cases.
In some cases, yes, you may have the same problem. The rubber silicone part starts getting loose.
This is a common issue and becomes evident as some users do frequently taking out their mobile phone from the case.
This can happen as well due to your working environment and that includes the weather particularly when it is hot and humid.
Source: https://www.ottocasestore.com.au/blog/what-to-do-when-otterbox-rubber-silicone-is-getting-loose/
Conclusion
The article describes in detail how to repair OtterBox silicone case. OtterBox cases are durable and consistently last 2-5 years. Sometimes the user or natural causes can damage the case. The most common failure is deep scratches and stretching. Deep scratches can be fixed with glue. And a stretched silicone or rubber phone case can be repaired by thermal shrinkage. However, shrinkage is not always successful, especially in heavily worn cases.
Have you ever had to repair a stretched silicone or rubber case? Write in the comments what method of repair you used.
Repair otter box