After some trial and error, here's my completed project: a painted white back cover for the Inc2.
I simply sprayed a few coats of Plastdip on the back (after taken apart from the phone, of course) and then did a final few coats of white gloss spray paint for plastics. Total cost = ~$15.
Pictures attached. I affectionately call it "Panda-phone."
Best of all, if you screw up and/or don't like the color you simply peel off the Plastidip and you're back to the original finish. No harm, no foul. Plastdip is basically a vinyl coating that's extremely durable. I've seen people use it on the car wheels...
I've used plastidip in the past on tool handles, never would have thought about the back cover on the phone. It's pretty durable, so I can imagine that it would hold up well. It looks good.
Did you notice any change in signal after you were done?
I've had no signal degradation. However, when you take off the back cover you immediately get disconnected form the mobile network. This tells me that the antenna is built into the cover. You're not adding any metal to the cover so there's nothing to worry about. I'd just be careful about spraying the underneath of it where the metal antenna connectors are. Overspray is easily removed with some rubbing alcohol or goof off though.
Is the battery cover still flush along the sides of the phone or can you feel raised lips where the cover meets the phone?
Sent from my Incredible 2 using Tapatalk
It's flush.
Good to know that the plastidip didn't effect the signal. I didn't think that it would be much different on the signal than using a case.
Thanks for sharing
Nice work. I have been trying to muster up the courage to do mine. I have been wanting a red battery cover but did not know what paint to get. Now I know.
Sent from my ADR6350 using xda premium
Wow, thanks for the tip. It looks awesome. I as well want a red battery cover and may try this!!
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium
Wow, nice to see a success! I failed miserably after the last coat of red on my extra back XP
I'll try your paint =)
sn1p3r6992 said:
Wow, nice to see a success! I failed miserably after the last coat of red on my extra back XP
I'll try your paint =)
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The beauty of plastidip is that you can peel it off if your not happy with the paint you chose. The first time I tried, I used an enamel paint thinking it would be stronger but it never fully cured.
zax10 said:
Nice work. I have been trying to muster up the courage to do mine. I have been wanting a red battery cover but did not know what paint to get. Now I know.
Sent from my ADR6350 using xda premium
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Do it. Do it. Then post pictures. Also try and save the black HTC logo from being red. This should be awesome
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06stang said:
Do it. Do it. Then post pictures. Also try and save the black HTC logo from being red. This should be awesome
Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk
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I was thinking about doing the HTC logo in Red or Blue on my white. But that's some detailed work with tape.
Now to do the bezel around the screen and have an all white phone.
valorian13 said:
Now to do the bezel around the screen and have an all white phone.
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Only a matter of patience and time.
I would love to paint the bezel too but I am not found of taping so I would probably just go "panda" style as you did.
I have already cut a cover for the HTC logo but I want a way to out google on the back also. I thought maybe try to find a tiny GOOGLE vinyl.
Sent from my ADR6350 using xda premium
funny things, but I doubt it could be worn sooner
shark_seu said:
funny things, but I doubt it could be worn sooner
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?
Sent from my ADR6350 using xda premium
Got my extra one. Buying the red plasti dip tomorrow. The HTC letters pop out very easily with a razor blade. Very thin so be careful. They'll go back on after I paint
Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk
06stang said:
Got my extra one. Buying the red plasti dip tomorrow. The HTC letters pop out very easily with a razor blade. Very thin so be careful. They'll go back on after I paint
Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk
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Can't wait to see the pics man!!
I popped my htc letters out with an exacto and there are kind of fragile but easy to get out. You can easily pop them back in after a spray with some superglue =)
Related
hello everyone, here is my vibrant with a white skin on the front , a painted white back cover , and a android logo decal on the back . let me know what you guys think .
Love it man... really nice job! what steps are involved in your mod?
Not to much to it really i bought a white decal kit from ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/WHITE-PROTECTION-DECAL-SKIN-SAMSUNG-VIBRANT-T959-/300453304661?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item45f4699955#ht_2662wt_1226
used the front piece from that.i then used some krylon plastic spray paint in high gloss white for the back cover, shot it with about 3 coats of spray on clear coat
and threw a android decal i had laying around on the back. thanks for the comment
wow nice, def want to get one to go with my white case. Is it a screen protector as well or just around the edge? Also does it effect the touch sensitive keys?
That's flucking sexy. Im trying this!
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
awesome..
Hey this mod looks awesome! I have a quick question -- does putting the front decal cover the light from the touch sensitive buttons, or does it still come through? Also are they still are responsive as before? Thanks!
Nice Job! I was thinking of doing the exact same thing. But didn't know there was a white face cover... Which is also great for covering the excessive logos on the front.
Can you be very descriptive about how you painted the back?
looks great
looks awesome. It makes me want to do it too but I know I will mess up the paint job.
I might try this been looking for a white Texas longhorns battery cover might just make my own!
Is it sticky or smooth? Does the white battery cover feel close to the stock one?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Hey everybody sorry for the late response but I just got off work and decided to check what everyone had to say hopefully I can answer all your questions first of all the buttons at the bottom do shine through but not as much as if it were off and their still really responsive .second the front piece is just around the edges and is not a screen protector .third the back feels smooth with the paint on and the clear coat but has a little grip to it which is nice .thanks for all your positive responses . I loved the cat photo lol
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
juggamonkey said:
Hey everybody sorry for the late response but I just got off work and decided to check what everyone had to say hopefully I can answer all your questions first of all the buttons at the bottom do shine through but not as much as if it were off and their still really responsive .second the front piece is just around the edges and is not a screen protector .third the back feels smooth with the paint on and the clear coat but has a little grip to it which is nice .thanks for all your positive responses . I loved the cat photo lol
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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So 2 coats of white and one clear coat? did you hang dry on a paper clip or let sit flat on the ground?
talltexan said:
So 2 coats of white and one clear coat? did you hang dry on a paper clip or let sit flat on the ground?
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If your painting plastic like that you want to sand it down first so its no longer shiny, that way the paint can adhear to the plastic. I would do 2 coats of color and 2 coats of clear and let it dry for several days.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
That looks great dude, and it would've been perfect if the sensor and speaker area was fully white too.
Yea I wet sanded with the finest grid sandpaper I could find then sprayed on a coat of krylon for plastic let that dry for about thirty min then shot it with another coat of paint let that dry for about a hour then coat of clear coat every hour I would suggest about two coats of paint and two or three coats of clear coat i look forward to seeing how they turn out
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
You didn't happen to do progress photos did you?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
nice job m8!!
excellent idea
I've never been a real fan of white phones, but WOW that looks really nice.
how easy was it to replace the front cover ?
Not the kind of alcohol that you drink but rubbing alcohol....
I had a plastic case on my Thunderbolt sporting with an extended battery. Nice looking. But the case kept pulling on my screen protector which kept causing it to bubble up or peel back. I had a case because my Tbolt had its housing casing with patches of its paint peeling off. Seeing my wife remove her color off her nails using alcohol, I decided to give it a try. It smoothly removed the paint off (which was glittery) to a more gunmetal paint job. Giving my Tbolt a new bold look. You can also use qtips to remove paint from curvy areas.
Happy new year!
Any pics?
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt using XDA Premium App
my T-Bolt gets a new look thanks to alcohol right around 11pm most weeknights...
I think I need pics to believe this one. . .
tahj78 said:
I think I need pics to believe this one. . .
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Here are the pics...
Nice look, looks very sleek. How hard did you have to rub the alcohol in to get the silvery-gray paint off? Did you just use paper tissues?
Retpallylol said:
Nice look, looks very sleek. How hard did you have to rub the alcohol in to get the silvery-gray paint off? Did you just use paper tissues?
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No. Just rubbed it gently. I used cotton balls, tissue paper and qtips. Cotton balls should work just fine.
Might just have to try this myself. Not a drastic change as far as I can tell but it does look nicer.
My phone's original paint job was mostly peeled off...bought it used. I wished I would have taken pictures prior to doing this. I honestly thought it was just going to completely remove all of the paint. Anything would have looked better than they way it looked. It came with a nice gel case and for me, as long as the screen was scratched free- its what mattered more...or so I thought. I also bought a new case. But after using alcohol, it worked out better for me. Now I am happy. No need for cases.
I only suggest this if your phone's OEM paintjob is peeling off- not the battery case- just the casing.
I like this look over the stock looking color. I think it may even blend into my dash better.
I just tried this with some 91% alcohol and paper towels...didn't take any paint off...phone looks exactly the same.
montecristo1 said:
Seeing my wife remove her color off her nails using alcohol, I decided to give it a try.
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Nail polish remover is acetone, not alcohol.
I tried it with 70% isopropyl alcohol and it didn't work either.
mike.s said:
Nail polish remover is acetone, not alcohol.
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Correct.
Alcohol won't do a thing except clean off any grease and fingerprins.
Acetone will remove nail polish and will soften and strip most paint and plastic.
I just used up $ up Nail polish remover and it didn't work either. Is their a certain brand I should use? What about paint thinner? Alot of my paints chipped off so this would be really useful.
Looks nice dude. Just a minor change but it makes your a little different than the rest.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
So how did you get around the edges, lime around the speaker, kickstand, buttons, micro USB port? Just careful?
Sent from my ThunderBolt using xda app-developers app
jimmyco2008 said:
So how did you get around the edges, lime around the speaker, kickstand, buttons, micro USB port? Just careful?
Sent from my ThunderBolt using xda app-developers app
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Alcohol does not damage electronics.
Sent from my ThunderBolt using xda premium
Getting a few black scruff marks on the phone now - Anyone tried putting a bit of white paint over them? Thinking even some tipex could cover them up okay? HMMMM
chrisredmayne said:
Getting a few black scruff marks on the phone now - Anyone tried putting a bit of white paint over them? Thinking even some tipex could cover them up okay? HMMMM
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i'd rather have the scratches.
Use a vert fine grain nail file or somthing similar , gently rub the scratched areas and as if by magic they dissapear!
I did my bezel with the car touch up paint and it was ok. But I dropped it and got chips all over bezel so am thinking to sand all the silver off like I did with my s2. Only thing is the S2 was black so it looked good, I'm not sure it would look as good on white s3
Sent from my GT-I9300 using XDA
Have you tried White Out yet? Seriously.
Sent From My S-OFFed, R00ted, 100% Tricked-Out HTC Evo 4G LTE via XDA Premium!
chrisredmayne said:
Getting a few black scruff marks on the phone now - Anyone tried putting a bit of white paint over them? Thinking even some tipex could cover them up okay? HMMMM
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Dip it in a tin of emulsion; you can have any colour you want.
The plastic is white all the way through, yeah? The scuffs are other material added to the phone. Remove that material with a fine abrasive like toothpaste on a soft cloth.
Use a fine grit emery paper then buff with some polishing compound out cutting compound.
Works a treat.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
omnianick said:
Use a fine grit emery paper then buff with some polishing compound out cutting compound.
Works a treat.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
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AND THEN buy a case...
sent from my internet
Mmmm. I'd use nail varnish remover for scuffs and a fine emery board for knocks. Tipex... not so much.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Uk
16gb
3rd July order
Nothing apart from that email!
Update! 19/7 jumped to top of list.
Update! 21/7 nothing! Not a bean. Starting to lose hope.
Update! Still nothing 23/7.
I dont think you can fix Gorilla glass
Might as well get a hammer, throw phone as hard as you can at the floor and then finish it by swinging hammer towards it....
Why would you even think of that ?
Hey this may sound crazy but a little bit of petrol on a rag will remove it instantly then have another rag with bit water I have not done this on my phone yet but used it on my motorbike when some silly cow reversed into it then drove of right in front off me it left sereval black scuff marks and to take the biscuit I only picked up my brand new bike that day I'm Lucky someone showed me this tip
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
I think you should be careful with solvents and plastic. If you don't know what you're dealing with, you can easily melt the case with the wrong solvent.
privatetrousers said:
AND THEN buy a case...
sent from my internet
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Ha.
I bought two.
Never used a case before but had to after a few scrapes.
Tourmate scrub tpu case in black and grey
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Is it just me or did the flip cover make some sort of mark on the screen, its there under certain light angles. Annoys me to no end, any suggestions as to how I could get my unite replaced? Obviously Im still under the 2 week trial period and while I could ask for a gray one instead of my current white model...im digging the white. Any input is appreciated. Thanks guys.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
What kind of mark is on the screen? Could something have gotten caught between the cover and the screen? I have been using the titanium model and got the flip cover to avoid scratches and screen protectors.
I'm thinking about drilling a hole in mine where the led is so when its closed I can see it.
Its the outline of the protective part, its about a mm inside around the whole bezel. If you look at the flip cover the ibside part which protects the screen has a drop off from foam. Any marks on your model.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
proof2006 said:
I'm thinking about drilling a hole in mine where the led is so when its closed I can see it.
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I did that, looks and works great, I just need to add some paint to retouch it. I used a dremel tool to make the hole and then widen it. However beware that the felt on the back doesn't cooperate too well. So take an exacto knife to it to clear out the hole and round it perfectly. I then used the dremel to sand it down smooth and it should look good once I put some dark grey paint on the sanded area
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christianrios said:
Its the outline of the protective part, its about a mm inside around the whole bezel. If you look at the flip cover the ibside part which protects the screen has a drop off from foam. Any marks on your model.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
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Negative, mine is still pristine and it's been used since launch. (First one sold at the store here)
A trick I learned with the old white macbooks. Use a mr. clean magic eraser to clean the back of the white galaxy s3 if it is starting to discolor. This works on pretty much any white plastic and will take the dirt right off with little effort without damaging the gloss.
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Just be careful with any unprotected and dyed surfaces. It'll strip the dye right off.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 4
Yeah, you should take the cover off the phone before cleaning the cover with it. But I've never stripped paint off plastic using them. Worst case scenario, you buy a new battery cover lol, but you won't need to. The magic erasers really are the best thing ever, literally just lifts the dirt up and nothing else.
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