Home › Forums › Hardware Hacks and Mods › Hacks and Mods › [NC10]Modding the Glossy Black Lid into a Matte Lid
- This topic has 33 replies, 18 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 10 months ago by Jonny Blond.
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November 21, 2008 at 8:18 pm #159441jonbadMember
Ok so this is absolutely crazy and an insane thing to try but I’m more of a hands on guy than a tech guy so here’s my solution to the black glossy lid that everyone would have prefered to have been black matte. Yes, I’ve had enough of the finger print marks even though the gloss looks fantastic, if only we all went around with gloves on….
Sandblasting!
By taping up the whole netbook and making sure it’s all sealed against the elements with masking tape and painters paper, leaving only the glossy lid exposed, I think you could gently sandblast the lid to make it the matte appearance most of us would have prefered!
Sounds crazy yes, but here’s my thinking. Sandblasting doesn’t necessarily use sand, it can be done with tiny plastic granules which would be better for the plastic lid than sand would be. Also like I say you can do it very gently and so would get an even finish as well as a matte texture to the lid which is what we’re after here. Think of frosted glass if you will… Finger marks will still show for sure, but they’d be a whole lot less conspicuous. It shouldn’t harm the LCD beneath either as it’s only a gentle method of blasting.
What do people think of the idea? I’m sure it won’t be many willing to attempt a stunt like this, but I might just give it a go – I’d obviously try it out on a test piece first to see the results. I don’t have great access to a sandblasting machine either, especially not one with the plastic granules but I know they exist and therefore are available!! Actually I know of one in a car garage come to think of it!!
November 21, 2008 at 8:27 pm #170237dougpMemberSeems like it could possibly damage, I guess depending on the PSI used? Honestly, I think it’s a bit excessive – maybe look into using a “skin” so that you don’t potentially damage your machine?
November 21, 2008 at 8:29 pm #170235TheRingMemberlol i love the black but as an owner of many samsung piano black gloss items i couldnt spare any more time polishing the thing hence why i got a white one.
You can only try and see how it goes, if it turns out bad theres load of skins avaliable on ebay to cover it up. gotta say if you do do it fairplay on ya thats one set of cahoonas you have there lol
November 21, 2008 at 11:32 pm #170227jonbadMemberlol, well from my experience with sandblasting glass a few years back, I know I wouldn’t damage the inner workings of the laptop. PSI isn’t too important, it’s more the distance you spray from and the spread of the sand. In other words if you use a more powerful PSI, just hold it farther away. To get a more even finish you’d spray from a distance anyway.
I am also not (that) mad that I would try it direct on the netbook. I’d obviously first try it on a sample piece of similar plastic to see what happens.
The actual complexity is not in doing the operation, more in finding out what gives the best finish and whether the granules/beads/grains actually pentrate the gloss finish enough to look matte but also maintain it’s sparkle and not just become all dull.
The skins route is a possibility but in my mind it will look tacky and I don’t really want that. Doing a proper sandblasting job would definitely be the most professional looking, “out of the factory” look I’m likely to be able to achieve…… it’s all just a case of whether or not I am that bothered to do it!
Otherwise I’ll take the black one back and buy the white one lol.
November 22, 2008 at 5:35 am #170244hefMemberi would say this is a bad idea, but it may work well, i have no frame of reference for it.
if you are brave enough to try it out, let us know how it turns out.
November 22, 2008 at 10:31 pm #170247kirkukMemberMe thinks you should have bought a white one ! I think i would rather stick with finger prints than ruining it trying to sand blast it.
Why not cover it with stickers or something .. can get quite a few for Sony PS3 you could cut one to shape and stick that on the lid.
Kirk
November 23, 2008 at 11:18 am #170228jonbadMemberI’ve had a look at the stickers, I’m not afan currently but they may get better with time. There’s some available on ebay for the NC10 so no need to cut another one up 🙂
The sandblasting really isn’t that “drastic” and shouldn’t affect the NC10 workings in anyway at all. The point of using it over any other method is for it’s neatness and continuity – i.e. it should give a smooth neat factory esque result, instead of a hand bodge approach!
I wouldn’t try straight onto the NC10 either, as mentioned above, I would experiment on random scraps of similar plastic first to get the distance and spread correct.
Ultimately it would look like the white one… only black!
I’ll post any updates on this…November 23, 2008 at 1:34 pm #170236TheRingMemberwould be interesting to see and know what tools you used, as i have a few glossy black items that are a pain to polish
November 24, 2008 at 11:54 am #170238humpsMemberSandblasting is a little extreme. If you were to do it, I think dismental the LCD casing and just blast the top cover panel. My wife has access to the equipment but not the skill for an even matte look.
I personally would suggest getting a matte spray can. Alsa corp makes ‘soft touch’ paint coating. Think Audi/VW cars that has soft touch plastics. They make a clear coat spray can that is sold in US and by their Dutch wholeseller (I think). The can should be much easier work than mixing their raw coat with solvent and rent a spray gun/pump. The clear coat should work very well for a matte finish with added bonus of a soft touch rubbery feel :-).
I’ve been thinking of doing that to my white MacBook. Soft touch white rubber…hmmm…
November 24, 2008 at 12:30 pm #170229jonbadMember[quote1227529619=humps]
Sandblasting is a little extreme. If you were to do it, I think dismental the LCD casing and just blast the top cover panel. My wife has access to the equipment but not the skill for an even matte look.I personally would suggest getting a matte spray can. Alsa corp makes ‘soft touch’ paint coating. Think Audi/VW cars that has soft touch plastics. They make a clear coat spray can that is sold in US and by their Dutch wholeseller (I think). The can should be much easier work than mixing their raw coat with solvent and rent a spray gun/pump. The clear coat should work very well for a matte finish with added bonus of a soft touch rubbery feel :-).
I’ve been thinking of doing that to my white MacBook. Soft touch white rubber…hmmm…
[/quote1227529619]Thanks for your response,
I think I could get an even sandblasted finish but now you’ve mentioned this paint, that does sound like an altogether more attractive propsal. I’ve just done a quick web search and it brough up this link http://www.alsacorp.com/products/softtouch/softtouch.htm
I haven’t found somewhere in the UK that stocks this yet, but am hopeful to find some. Taking the LCD apart might be best for the sandblasting, but I think good masking ought to be sufficient, espeicially as it would have been a very gentle procedure.
Do apply the paint though, I think masking would be better purely becuase it’d void the warranty if I took it apart. I’m assuming it can’t void the warranty applying the paint though, as that’s in a way similar to coating the thing in fingerprints! That surely can’t void the warranty lol.
Thanks for your suggestion.EDIT: Google didn’t come up with it, but I found the softfeel paint on http://www.alsapaints.co.uk/
It is actually based in the Netherlands though. Seems mega expensive for a tiny amount of paint I have to say, link here to actual product: http://www.xtremecolors.nl/catalog/index.php/cPath/21_50November 24, 2008 at 11:06 pm #170239humpsMemberThe last link you got are the products for professional use. you mix the thinner and resin and hardener. If you search for Killer cans 2k soft feel, there is a spray can product. But I haven’t seen it available anywhere in the UK. Like this http://www.alsacorp.com/products/killercans/st/softfeel.htm And if I can source it, I would do the NC10 and my MacBook and possibly other gadgets 😉
November 24, 2008 at 11:41 pm #170230jonbadMemberThank you Humps.
Upon further looking on the .co.uk site I found the Killercan you’re referring to. I think it’s still more of a professional “paint” than a retail thing, and it is kinda pricey for one can. Nonetheless I’m sold on the idea, it does seem to give a fantastic finish and I know exactly the texture it gives as I’ve felt things done with it before and they felt quality.Here’s the link for the Uk supplier (based in the Netherlands I think) for the Killercans Soft Feel Alsa Corp Paint.
soft feelANNOYINGLY THE LINK IS NOW DEAD – THEY HAVE REMOVED THE PRODUCT FROM THE PAGE
November 28, 2008 at 4:55 pm #170241ramdianeMemberWhy can’t I see the link you are posting?
I got the black one about 2 days ago and the fingerprints are IRRITATING to say the least… please help..
November 28, 2008 at 5:04 pm #170242ramdianeMember[quote1227891871=jonbad]
I’ve had a look at the stickers, I’m not afan currently but they may get better with time. There’s some available on ebay for the NC10 so no need to cut another one up 🙂The sandblasting really isn’t that “drastic” and shouldn’t affect the NC10 workings in anyway at all. The point of using it over any other method is for it’s neatness and continuity – i.e. it should give a smooth neat factory esque result, instead of a hand bodge approach!
I wouldn’t try straight onto the NC10 either, as mentioned above, I would experiment on random scraps of similar plastic first to get the distance and spread correct.
Ultimately it would look like the white one… only black!
I’ll post any updates on this…
[/quote1227891871]can somebody please point me to the stickers? Thank you!
November 28, 2008 at 5:18 pm #170250Richard TMemberIf its annoying you that much could you not get one of these?eBay Search
Also i only read the original post and in sure you could remove the back cover by removing screws meaning your laptop will be safe and won’t get sand blasted[MOD EDIT] Link adjusted as it was stretching the forum. ~Becky
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