iPhone 17 Pro Max Cosmic Orange Finish: Can Wet Wipes Really Remove It?

A claim has circulated across Facebook, Instagram, and Vietnamese tech media stating that wet wipes can remove the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s Cosmic Orange finish, exposing the bare aluminum underneath. This claim gained attention after users posted photos and short clips showing color fading or orange pigment coming off after wiping the device. An investigation into these reports reveals that while documented incidents exist, the claim requires additional context regarding the specific conditions under which the finish may be affected.

Social Media Posts

Several posts on Facebook, Instagram, and X share images of the iPhone 17 Pro Max in Cosmic Orange, claiming that wet wipes faded the color.

Source | Archive

Fact Check

Anodized aluminum vulnerability

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max use an anodized aluminum frame to achieve the vibrant Cosmic Orange finish. Anodizing creates a porous oxide layer on the metal surface, which is then infused with dye to produce the color. While this finish is generally durable, the porous structure makes it vulnerable to certain chemicals. (Source)

This vulnerability is well-documented in materials science research. Research demonstrates this vulnrability: one peer-reviewed study found that up to 90% of the dye in an anodized aluminum layer can be stripped away within approximately 20 minutes when exposed to aggressive chemical treatments.

A second study on nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide films shows that elevated temperatures and chemical agitation accelerate dye removal from the oxide structure.

These studies confirm that dyed anodized aluminum is susceptible to degradation when exposed to harsh chemicals, consistent with what appears to be happening with the iPhone’s Cosmic Orange finish.

User Cleaning Behavior And Manufacturer Guidelines

The root cause appears to be a mismatch between user cleaning practices and manufacturer guidelines. Apple’s cleaning guidance explicitly warns against products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide, and recommends using a soft, slightly damp microfiber cloth. Standard alcohol wipes in certain concentrations are permitted.

This confirms that specific chemical agents, not wet wipes in general, cause the problem. Users who reported wiping with wet wipes and seeing the finish disappear were likely using wipes with harsh chemicals (especially peroxide or alcohol), which are unsafe for anodized aluminum finishes.

Manufacturing And Design considerations

Analysed reports highlight that the move to aluminum (instead of titanium) for the frame may trade off durability/chemical resistance for weight/colour flexibility. According to TechRadar, Apple’s shift from titanium to anodized aluminum enabled the vibrant “Cosmic Orange” by supporting a wider colour palette, but aluminum is softer and its anodized finish may be more exposed to chemical or environmental degradation. (Source)

Additionally, Hardware Busters suggests the possibility of “anodization inconsistency,” meaning some units might have weaker sealing of the dye layer, making them more vulnerable.

Expert and Reviewer Commentary

Tech durability reviewer JerryRigEverything commented that standard wet wipes cannot remove anodized coatings, stating: “You can remove anodizing with some crazy chemicals like oven cleaner, sodium hydroxide or hydrofluoric acid, but standard wet wipes won’t do anything. I think the owner isn’t telling the whole truth.”

Chemical experts also confirm that peroxide and strong alkaline cleaners can compromise anodized dye layers.

Vietnamese media and Times of India have further noted cases where Cosmic Orange units turned pink or faded after exposure to certain wipes or oxidation, suggesting finish vulnerability, not guaranteed failure.

Implications for consumers & protective measures

Based on the evidence, users should avoid wet wipes of unknown chemical composition, particularly those containing hydrogen peroxide or strong alcohol-based or alkaline cleaning agents. Instead, clean the device with a soft microfiber cloth slightly dampened with water, or use only Apple-approved cleaning products. Additionally, using a protective case or sleeve can reduce the frequency of direct cleaning, particularly for premium-colored finishes.

Summary

The claim that wet wipes can remove the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s Cosmic Orange finish requires important context. While documented cases exist of color fading or removal, the issue appears limited to specific cleaning products containing harsh chemicals like hydrogen peroxide or strong alkaline agents, not all wet wipes. The anodized aluminum finish is inherently vulnerable to certain chemical compounds, but users following Apple’s cleaning guidelines (using soft, slightly damp microfiber cloths) are unlikely to experience this problem.