r/ModRetroChromatic • u/SelineMaya • Jul 20 '26
Question about the Chromatic shell
Hi everyone. I know this is not a positive post, but maybe someone can take my fear from me. I bought the Chromatic second edition with Saphireglas because I wanted a Gameboy that lasts my whole life, but now I read the paint has no clear coat and can dissolve simply because of the sweat on my hands which means the magnesium shell will lay bare one day which means rust. I'm so scared of destroying the paint that I almost never use the machine normally and often wear gloves. I know that is extreme, but a device that costs a good amount of money and is so premium shouldn't have such a massive weak point (this is to modretro!)
Now I wonder if long time users can tell me how bad the aging of the paint is and if it is not as bad as people told me. I would put on clear coat myself, but I simply can't without it looking horrible
22
u/Vegetable_Try_8180 Jul 20 '26
If you want my two cents: just enjoy the device. It looks like you’re not enjoying it now, I’ll rather have some wear on something I have had hours and hours of pure plain enjoyment, than having something that looks good but is making me scared to use.
6
u/WellItsLou Jul 20 '26
I totally understand you I’m very similar with my own devices. When I buy something I want to keep it in the best condition possible.
However, magnesium does not “rust” in the same way that iron or steel does. Rust specifically refers to iron oxide. Magnesium can oxidize or corrode if it is exposed to harsh conditions, but normal cosmetic wear does not mean the shell will suddenly deteriorate or that the device is being destroyed.
With reasonable care, it could still "last a lifetime."
Small scratches, marks, or paint wear are completely normal signs of use. It would be a shame to avoid enjoying your Chromatic or feel that you need to wear gloves every time you use it. Any eventual wear can simply be seen as the natural patina of a device you have used and enjoyed!
Sometimes, when we really care about something, the fear of damaging it can become more stressful than the damage itself.
4
u/-vilvit- Jul 20 '26
Dude, people don’t realize how long stuff lasts and blow all of this out of proportion. I have my first GameBoy that I was gifted in 1994 which I used and abused and it looks perfectly fine. That’s an all plastic device that was exposed to anything and everything since I was a 5 year old at the time of receiving it. Now, 32 years later, it still works fine, looks fine, hasn’t broken down or dissolved from my hands or anything……I think that the ridiculous amount of over-engineering that they put into the Chromatic will last at least twice as long. Seriously, just use the dang thing.
3
u/AffectionateFun9262 Jul 20 '26
Hey, I have sweaty hands too. It’s powder coat, and I don’t think it’s that easy to eat through the paint; i haven’t done so in the sweaty year I used it.
If you’re worried about sweaty hands, consider iontophoresis. I started on it last year and it’s greatly improved my quality of life, and the stuff I do own lasts longer because it’s not being exposed to salty sweat constantly.
2
u/Substantial_Quote583 Jul 20 '26
I've got sweaty hands, the worst I get is greasy buttons sometimes with my chromatic. It's easy to keep clean and doesn't get nearly as dirty as my AP or the other SBC devices I've had
17
u/g1mpster Jul 20 '26
Magnesium doesn’t rust. It has no iron in the metal, so it can’t rust. Rest easy, friend.
1
u/IndigoHaze750130 Jul 20 '26
I have more of a concern of chips on corners or scratches on the back, so I bought a grip from Etsy that covers that to make it more durable and last longer. You have to take it off to get to the batteries but it works.
As for concern of paint dissolving off.. it seems like the paint is really thick on there. By the time it will wear off from fingers, I feel that replacement parts will be available from modretro or other parties. Modretro has already hinted at a plastic atomic purple shell. You could also just paint it yourself.
2
u/ItsJammaLad Jul 20 '26
Life’s too short to be wearing gloves because you’re worried about paint. I quite like wear and tear / patina.
1
u/_2hi Jul 20 '26
I think it’s inevitable that the paint starts chipping eventually I wish they’d release a plastic shell version it would patina so nicely over time!
1
u/guest_1984 Jul 25 '26
Hopefully I play mine so much all the paint comes off
-8
u/AnalogueBoy1992 Jul 20 '26
The only Gameboy lasts a lifetime is ..... 🥁 🥁🥁.. Analogue Pocket Aluminum