After being extra careful with my Blackberry 8830, I finally dopped it on the pavement and it now bears two or three gashes (I had bought a clear case for the device but it looked silly so I took it off...and paid the price).

Luckily, the gashes aren't on the screen.

Instead, they are on the silver part of the front side of the device. They wouldn't bother me so much if they were just gashes and the whole front side was still silver..but unfortunately they BLACK. I assume they are black because the gashes are so deep they cut through the silver coating of the plastic front side?

Does this mean that if I buff the scratches they will never lose their black color? I would think that the case would be all one color all the way through so that scratches wouldn't look so bad...ideas or thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

I would buy the $12 skin to put around your device and not worry about it.

It's the new fashion trend to carry your BB in your hands and yes, they are slippery and bound to slip out of your hand. I share your dilemma (I did some serious dropping with my Pearl); But I'm sorry about the fall, I can imagine how you feel (like sxxx)

Now, my CURVE has its own wardrobe!! I bought the GEL-pack (three colors) and also, the BLACKBERRY LEATHER HOLDER that clips on a belt or lining of clothes. If I am at my office, I use one of the GEL packs. When I'm lounging around Los Angeles, I use the leather holder. It is slippery in a good way, the blackberry sits easy and tight and doesn't fall out. Only dilemma, you must hit the "STAND BY" buttom prior to sliding the BB into the holder - UPSIDE DOWN - otherwise you'll have a battery issue.

You can replace the damaged parts if the scratches really bother you.
There are threads that have links to the sites that supply replacement parts.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

One of those LA things I guess, that way the paparazzi gets a shot of your BB, as well.

Peresonally I have seasonal outfits and skins for mine-- summer, winter, or on the ski slopes or the beach, in the city or country, etc., you know what I mean, right?

You can find replacement parts here...

bb-8800-05 Blackberry 8800/8830 OEM chrome silver side rails- SonyEricsson, 3G, HTC, Accessories Store, Panasonic, LG, Acer, Apple, NEC, Nokia

Thanks to dagr8tim for the link.

Get the otterbox. It won't be as pretty but it'll bounce a lot better. Not to mention it handles rain better too! I have one on mine because, no matter how careful I am, I always end up with scratches on my phone. Rather than spend 30 minutes rubbing the scratch with Brasso, I bought this case. It is just awesome. BlackBerry 8800 case, BlackBerry hardcase, RIM Case, 8800 case, 8830 case, Rugged BlackBerry Case

If you have a Blackberry brand holster, there should be a magnet in it so that it will automatically turn off the screen.

Has anyone replaced the silver sides? I dropped my new 8830 today and I can't stand looking at the scratch on the side surface. I think I'm going to buy the replacement part but I hope the amount of work is minimal. I truly do not want to completely open the phone just to replace the damaged side. Please advice.

check the dissasembly on the FAQ site, scroll to bottom of the main page.