edbethea
09-07-2004, 08:00 AM
First I want to salute Solon for his excellent development of the HDDTool. Now for some fun...
Ok... I like chrome on cars. You must wash and buff it so it looks nice. Same thing with the HDD100/120. After handling and using it, you've got fingerprints and smudges showing all over the player. Wipe..and wipe and wipe. Frankly I don't understand why some MP3 player makers like Philips and you know who (iPod) choose to use chrome finishes. Sure it looks great but in real life use, your grimy slimy hands kill the effect.
So I decided to change the appearance of my HDD100's chrome side rails with this easy mod which makes them matte black and provides a nice grip enhancing effect. I used a product called Performix Plasti Dip Spray (black). This is a mult-purpose rubberized spray coating that has many uses and can be found at any Lowes, Home Depot or hardware stores (not sure about Europe). The nice part of this mod is that it is completely reversible...If you don't like the look then you can just remove the chrome rails (more Later) and peal the stuff off using a fingernail. Also removing the chrome rails does not void your warranty, only opening the interior case and breaking the warning sticker will. See image links at bottom.
I don't have any before pictures but below are the steps. Note: If you don't feel comfortable trying this mod then don't attemp it. Things can break and I'm not responsible.
1. Get a good Phillips (no pun) jewelers screwdriver and remove the two screws at the bottom of each chrome rail. Gently pull away from the case until you see inner case in view. Then gently push up. The side rail can now be removed. Don't force anything. Be gentle. Put the two little screws in a very safe place or you may loose them.
2. Remove the chrome side control buttons from the inside of the right rail. It is not glued in but is simply held in place with little tiny buttons that push thru little holes in the buttom frame. You will see. Put the control button frame in a safe place too.
3. Wash the rails well with hot water and soap and let dry. No paint prep is necessary except a clean dry surface.
4. Place the rails on a piece of newspaper face up and start spraying the black Plasti Dip spray evenly at about 6 inches away. Put on one light coat and let dry for about 10 minutes. Be sure to get all sides of each rail. The Plasti Dip spray will look shiny and sorta gooey until it dries but then it will look smooth and matte black. Apply a second coat evenly and let dry again for maybe 20 min this time. After this you need to paint the inside edges that snug up to the player case. Ok to get this on the rail inside. Otherwise a peal can easily start and will show chrome when back on the player. I would let the rails dry and cure overnight.
5. Install the side button frame back in the right side rail. Reverse the removal process by first placing each rail on from the top and gently push down. Then push the rail toward the case...it will slide in place. Now re-Install them little tiny screws (can you see them?) Don't over tighten..just snug 'um.
Your done! Now you have your very own little black monolith.
Here are the image links below...
Ok... I like chrome on cars. You must wash and buff it so it looks nice. Same thing with the HDD100/120. After handling and using it, you've got fingerprints and smudges showing all over the player. Wipe..and wipe and wipe. Frankly I don't understand why some MP3 player makers like Philips and you know who (iPod) choose to use chrome finishes. Sure it looks great but in real life use, your grimy slimy hands kill the effect.
So I decided to change the appearance of my HDD100's chrome side rails with this easy mod which makes them matte black and provides a nice grip enhancing effect. I used a product called Performix Plasti Dip Spray (black). This is a mult-purpose rubberized spray coating that has many uses and can be found at any Lowes, Home Depot or hardware stores (not sure about Europe). The nice part of this mod is that it is completely reversible...If you don't like the look then you can just remove the chrome rails (more Later) and peal the stuff off using a fingernail. Also removing the chrome rails does not void your warranty, only opening the interior case and breaking the warning sticker will. See image links at bottom.
I don't have any before pictures but below are the steps. Note: If you don't feel comfortable trying this mod then don't attemp it. Things can break and I'm not responsible.
1. Get a good Phillips (no pun) jewelers screwdriver and remove the two screws at the bottom of each chrome rail. Gently pull away from the case until you see inner case in view. Then gently push up. The side rail can now be removed. Don't force anything. Be gentle. Put the two little screws in a very safe place or you may loose them.
2. Remove the chrome side control buttons from the inside of the right rail. It is not glued in but is simply held in place with little tiny buttons that push thru little holes in the buttom frame. You will see. Put the control button frame in a safe place too.
3. Wash the rails well with hot water and soap and let dry. No paint prep is necessary except a clean dry surface.
4. Place the rails on a piece of newspaper face up and start spraying the black Plasti Dip spray evenly at about 6 inches away. Put on one light coat and let dry for about 10 minutes. Be sure to get all sides of each rail. The Plasti Dip spray will look shiny and sorta gooey until it dries but then it will look smooth and matte black. Apply a second coat evenly and let dry again for maybe 20 min this time. After this you need to paint the inside edges that snug up to the player case. Ok to get this on the rail inside. Otherwise a peal can easily start and will show chrome when back on the player. I would let the rails dry and cure overnight.
5. Install the side button frame back in the right side rail. Reverse the removal process by first placing each rail on from the top and gently push down. Then push the rail toward the case...it will slide in place. Now re-Install them little tiny screws (can you see them?) Don't over tighten..just snug 'um.
Your done! Now you have your very own little black monolith.
Here are the image links below...