Quick and easy fix to IPV4 display screen

[BUDKISS]

The ipv4 has this mirror finish over the screen which makes it hard to read in certain light conditions. I have a quick and easy fix to drastically improve the scree.

I have to give credit to VapnFagan for the idea.

Here is how: I first took painters tape and made a border around just the display area on the outside of mirror cover. I then took my atty off, turned it off, and removed batteries. I slightly opened the case enough to remove mirror panel (allen wrench). Holding the mirror strip up to a light source I could see the squared off area i needed to polish off. I then took more tape and squared off the INSIDE area that i would polish. I used my McGuires headlight restore kit products to do the job. I used first 1000 and then 3000 grit paper and their polishing liquid to gently remove just the mirror area over the display screen. After removing all tape and using windex to clean it up i put it back on and tighened up the case.

I have to say... "OM-F'n-G" !!! It is such an improvement. I can see the display plain as day in any light. Just passing on the idea.

 

[UncleRJ]

Good idea and thanks for sharing it with us!

 

[vapinclouds]

Looks great! Nice job!

 

[VapnFagan]

Really awesome job! Looks much better then doing the entire piece like i did. I will add the info to my review of the IPV4 once i review it.

 

[JXN]

I've read Easy Off oven cleaner would work. Wondering if simple alcohol would remove the finish without sanding and polishing.

 

[VapnFagan]

I've read Easy Off oven cleaner would work. Wondering if simple alcohol would remove the finish without sanding and polishing.

I could be wrong but deepening on the % of the alcohol, It might actually eat up the plastic ( depending on what type is used )

Easy Off over cleaner? Thats interesting, Thanks for the tip. Might give it a try on my other P4Y mod that also has a mirrored screen protector.

 

[JXN]

Those ideas came from a thread on removing the mirrored surface on motorcycle helmet visors. I don't want to spend 10 to 20 bucks if there's a common household item that will take off the surface. Tho I do have a rotary tool with polishing wheel and don't know the grit of sandpaper I have off the top of my head.

 

[BUDKISS]

If your wife has a finger nail kit with varying size emory boards and a polishing board that will work too. Final stage you can use tooth paste as a polishing agent. The important part is to tape off only the area where you want the mirror finish to be removed.

 

[Cliff Plumlee]

If you don't like the mirrored look, you could remove it all, then tape off the area over the display on the back side and paint it. I think black would look great, but you could do any color you want. You could also just use it as a template to make your own covers and experiment a bit without messing up the original.

 

[BUDKISS]

or you could just put a piece of skin over that area.... i am sure vaporskinz or jwraps will have them soon

 

[st0nedpenguin]

I'm sure you can polish the whole thing and go pick up a cheap piece of thin plastic film from a craft store to sit under it, that's what I'll probably end up doing.

 

[JXN]

Wondering if my Ultrasonic Cleaner would remove the finish.

 

[TheBloke]

Wondering if my Ultrasonic Cleaner would remove the finish.

Interesting thought! I recently bought a high powered Ultrasonic, so I could try it. I am certain it wouldn't on its own, but maybe with the right solution - I've heard of it being used to strip paint off of plastic models, for example. Though I guess that was mostly because they put paint stripper in the water, and the ultrasonic was really just about getting that stripper thoroughly applied to the models.

So the question is, is there some kind of liquid sandpaper? Some solution which abrades a mirror finish, but wouldn't also eat away at the stainless steel tank of the ultrasonic?

Anyone heard of such a thing?

 

[AmandaD]

Interesting thought! I recently bought a high powered Ultrasonic, so I could try it. I am certain it wouldn't on its own, but maybe with the right solution - I've heard of it being used to strip paint off of plastic models, for example. Though I guess that was mostly because they put paint stripper in the water, and the ultrasonic was really just about getting that stripper thoroughly applied to the models.

So the question is, is there some kind of liquid sandpaper? Some solution which abrades a mirror finish, but wouldn't also eat away at the stainless steel tank of the ultrasonic?

Anyone heard of such a thing?

I would be very careful what you put in the UC - I once added some baking soda, and it did abrade the finish of the UC!

 

[TheBloke]

I would be very careful what you put in the UC - I once added some baking soda, and it did abrade the finish of the UC!

Yikes,. even baking soda? Yeah I will, thanks! So far I'm just using normal washing-up liquid, and a "green and organic" one at that!

 

[AmandaD]

Yikes,. even baking soda? Yeah I will, thanks! So far I'm just using normal washing-up liquid, and a "green and organic" one at that!

Yup, that's what I do!

 

[TheBloke]

Actually it may be possible, @AmandaD and @JXN . I've been doing some more research on Ultrasonics - partly for this, mostly because I realised I'd not researched it that much since I got my new 2L one last week!

As we suspected, acidic cleaners and bleach etc are not recommended - though not specifically excluded in the material I'm reading, though that's likely because I'm reading the FAQs for expensive industrial/medical machines, not $100 machines bought off eBay and mass produced in China!

But what definitely would be possible for us is "indirect cleaning"

What that means is putting the object to be cleaned (or in our case, scoured) in a glass container, and suspending the glass container in the ultrasonic's water. That glass jar can then contain a fluid which would damage the ultrasonic itself, so long as it won't also damage the glass jar. Ultrasonic waves will penetrate glass no problem (that's one thing I did check, as a primary reason I got the ultrasonic is for steeping DIY liquids in glass jars.)

Of course this is far from the end of the question, as we don't yet know of a fluid that would actually work to remove the mirror finish. But if there is one, it should be possible to try it in the cleaner.

So, back to my earlier question - does anyone know of any fluid that acts like liquid sandpaper? I've done a quick search and there is something called "liquid sandpaper" but it doesn't sound suitable for this purpose - it changes gloss paint into matte paint, making it suitable to be re-painted. It specifically doesn't "smooth out bumps like real sandpaper" so I don't think it has an actual abrasive action.

Maybe there isn't anything that can do this, but it'd be great to know from the DIY experts out there if there's anything worth considering?

 

[TheBloke]

Hey @BUDKISS , I just got back from the hardware store with 1000 grit sandpaper. Unfortunately nowhere local has anything higher.

Can you tell me what the screen will look like after I've used just the 1000? Will any mirror finish be removed or does it require the 3000 grit as well to do it properly?

Secondly, what is it like without the last step you did - the polishing liquid? And could you give more details on what that liquid is exactly?

Basically I'm trying to work out if I need to spend $15 - $20 on a headlight restoration kit, or what lesser amount I can get away with

You mentioned emory boards - are they very high grit then? Would that be an equivalent to the 3k grit for example?

Sorry I'm still very new to all matters DIY/modding

 

[JXN]

Just read the mirror finish comes off easily just using a polishing wheel, no sanding needed.
From Reddit
http://www.reddit.com/r/electronic_cigarette/comments/356o3y/ipv4_screen_brightness_mod_easy/

 

[BUDKISS]

Hey @BUDKISS , I just got back from the hardware store with 1000 grit sandpaper. Unfortunately nowhere local has anything higher.

Can you tell me what the screen will look like after I've used just the 1000? Will any mirror finish be removed or does it require the 3000 grit as well to do it properly?

Secondly, what is it like without the last step you did - the polishing liquid? And could you give more details on what that liquid is exactly?

Basically I'm trying to work out if I need to spend $15 - $20 on a headlight restoration kit, or what lesser amount I can get away with

You mentioned emory boards - are they very high grit then? Would that be an equivalent to the 3k grit for example?

Sorry I'm still very new to all matters DIY/modding

The screen will be readable with just 1000grit. The 3000 makes is cleaner though.
If your wife has a polishing emory board that would work. You can also use baking soda or toothpaste.

 

[TheBloke]

Just read the mirror finish comes off easily just using a polishing wheel, no sanding needed.
From Reddit
http://www.reddit.com/r/electronic_cigarette/comments/356o3y/ipv4_screen_brightness_mod_easy/

Interesting, thanks - unfortunately I don't have a buffing disk. Maybe they're cheap, I will look into that.

The screen will be readable with just 1000grit. The 3000 makes is cleaner though.
If your wife has a polishing emory board that would work. You can also use baking soda or toothpaste.

OK thanks, I might well will try it out tomorrow

 

[Dragger]

...I just got back from the hardware store with 1000 grit sandpaper. Unfortunately nowhere local has anything higher.

Try a good auto parts store. Very fine grades are often used by body shops.

 

[FloridaSam]

I did this with a Dremel and a polishing wheel. No chemicals or sanding. I used a very slow speed and a VERY light touch. I could've masked it a little higher on the bottom but for about a 3 minute fix I'm infinitely happier with the screen now.

 

[TheBloke]

I did this with a Dremel and a polishing wheel. No chemicals or sanding. I used a very slow speed and a VERY light touch. I could've masked it a little higher on the bottom but for about a 3 minute fix I'm infinitely happier with the screen now.

Wow that looks superb, great job!

I don't have a dremel but presumably I could put a polishing wheel in my drill, couldn't I?

 

[FloridaSam]

I wouldn't use a drill. You really need a slow speed or you'll melt the screen instantly. You can get a "Dremel" type tool from Harbor Freight for under $10. I'm sure I'd have destroyed my screen protector with a drill. And everyone should have a Dremel. Great for polishing mods and tons of other uses. I use mine a lot.

 

[TheBloke]

I wouldn't use a drill. You really need a slow speed or you'll melt the screen instantly. You can get a "Dremel" type tool from Harbor Freight for under $10. I'm sure I'd have destroyed my screen protector with a drill. And everyone should have a Dremel. Great for polishing mods and tons of other uses. I use mine a lot.

Ah right OK, thanks - I'll look out for an equivalently cheap one in the UK.

What will be the difference between a "dremel-type" for $10 and a proper one? I mean I guess they won't live as long, be cheaper construction etc, but will there be other significant differences - features etc? I've never used a Dremel before, or know anything much about it.

 

[FloridaSam]

A cheaper one will have like 3 speeds. Slow, Medium, Fast. An expensive one will have variable speed and usually a much higher maximum RPM. I have a $200 top of the line Dremel I found at a thrift store for $4.00 but a cheap one will do 90% of what an expensive one will do. The best part of a Dremel is its size and former factor that allows much more control than you can get from a drill.

A question. How's the battery meter working for you. Mine is going down very slowly. It was maybe 2 notches from full and my batts were at 3.9. I guess I'm used to the ridiculous meter on my IPV2S which always shows full until you fire it and then shows zero.

 

[TheBloke]

A cheaper one will have like 3 speeds. Slow, Medium, Fast. An expensive one will have variable speed and usually a much higher maximum RPM. I have a $200 top of the line Dremel I found at a thrift store for $4.00 but a cheap one will do 90% of what an expensive one will do. The best part of a Dremel is its size and former factor that allows much more control than you can get from a drill.

A question. How's the battery meter working for you. Mine is going down very slowly. It was maybe 2 notches from full and my batts were at 3.9. I guess I'm used to the ridiculous meter on my IPV2S which always shows full until you fire it and then shows zero.

OK thanks! Wow that was an amazing bargain you got there

The battery meter seems fine to me. 3.9 is nearly full! It will drain from 4.2 down to 3.1 before it says Weak Battery and won't fire, at least for me with the power I'm firing at.

There's a minor display bug with the battery sensor. Whenever you put new batteries in they will show half charged, regardless of their charge level, until the first time you hit fire. Then they show correctly. Confused the hell out of me first time I saw it (a few hours in to using the mod), but is no problem any more.

 

[thalastlostsoul]

I received my ipv4 today,26May. It seems as though they are now shipping with the screen issue fixed.

 

[thalastlostsoul]

See attached for the new mirrored screen as I received it.

 

[FloridaSam]

Nice!

 

[titanss]

This is how I did mine.
I removed the screen protector.
Flipped it mirror side out.
Installed it back on the mod with the screws still loose.
Installed batteries.
Made the screen light up, so I could see where to tape it up.
Used the Dremel and Polishing Pad, like posted before.

Thanks for all the info guys!!!!

 

[BUDKISS]

After doing the screen fix i added a Jwrap (nice black aligator skin). It sort of helped "frame" the screen a bit better as i removed a bit more mirror than i had planned. So glad to hear the black and silver are coming out now with screens fixed. Once again we beta tested for P4Y. Ugh.

 

[Maverik_X]

After doing the screen fix i added a Jwrap (nice black aligator skin). It sort of helped "frame" the screen a bit better as i removed a bit more mirror than i had planned. So glad to hear the black and silver are coming out now with screens fixed. Once again we beta tested for P4Y. Ugh.

I did the same with my first release Silver iPV3 turned out rather nice IMO thanks for the details on how to diy it BUDKISS.

Before :
http://imgur.com/4b6KKaX

& After:
http://imgur.com/gQn1nV0
http://imgur.com/ej8ZAuq