Painting the Silver Plastic on a 57H84?

[glide]

While I love my new HD Toshiba 57H84, the cheesy silver outline finish, especially the 2" silver bar between the screen and the bottom black speaker grill, is distracting...even in low light conditions. The horizontal splitting silver veneer looks like the grey bar associated with widescreen bars, and sometimes I can't tell whether it's the picture or the cabinet. I's like to darken it for a better viewing experience.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to what kind of black paint (probably flat black) will adhere to the the silver painted plastic? Any help is appreciated.

[armentage]

While I love my new HD Toshiba 57H84, the cheesy silver outline finish, especially the 2" silver bar between the screen and the bottom black speaker grill, is distracting...even in low light conditions. The horizontal splitting silver veneer looks like the grey bar associated with widescreen bars, and sometimes I can't tell whether it's the picture or the cabinet. I's like to darken it for a better viewing experience.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to what kind of black paint (probably flat black) will adhere to the the silver painted plastic? Any help is appreciated.

Use acrylic paint. You can easily scratch it off if you mess up!

Make sure you mask the hell out of your screen before you paint.

There is a brand of paint out there that's supposed to be great for painting pre-finishied surfaces. I forget what its called, but what makes it so nice is that it doesn't build up at all.

But if you want my honest opinion, suck it up and just get used to it. I wouldn't be able to live with yourself if I f'up your $2500 toy.

Option B) Just cover up the silver with black electrical tape

[Splicer]

Search (this TOSHIBA forum) for spray paint. You will come across my post "Nasty Cheap Silver finish is now Black". Complete with a picture! I cannot stress just how much the picture improved. I highly recommend this 'tweak'.

[oldtimer]

I don't know if this would help however it may be more safe then spray paint,
as a small aircraft owner I have used black leading edge "tape" on wings, it
prevents small gravel damage on landing, expensive stuff but would work
around screen and not look that bad if applied careful. Just another idea to
consider.

[Splicer]

I used electrical tape before I painted mine to see what it would look like. Friction tape looks nicer but curls up at the ends. I Tried all different combinations of silver/black and decided on all black. VERY classy IMO. I also painted the inside of the screen frame as that was silver as well. The black really really made a difference in the picture. The factory settings don't look anything like 'torch' mode at all.

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/attachment.php?attachmentid=227

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=514

I edited this to add a little better picture of the TV with HD being displayed. Double click the picture to see it better.

[Splicer]

You can see I also removed the 'glare' screen.

[kevinw]

The factory settings don't look anything like 'torch' mode at all.


Even though they are still torch mode they just don't look like it :whistle:

[Splicer]

Even though they are still torch mode they just don't look like it :whistle:


Not at all. Again, this is just one mans opinion, but I believe the factory settings are the right settings for the most part. In other words I think they (Toshiba) knew what they were doing. Nothing is underpowered (weak) or too strong (torch). Smooth as glass with vibrant, thrilling colors and clarity. EXACTLY what I paid for.

With the silver screen frame I agree with you that things needed adjustment. But that was only to compensate for the internal light hitting the screen and that silver trim diffusing the overall picture. What I did is much like a Duvetyne or whatever that material is called, tweak. But at a substantial cost savings (total cost was $2.00) and the TV looks better on the outside as well. Duvetyne doesn't do that.

[kevinw]

I like the tweak of darkening the bezel..I give you props for that. But in your opinion, you are the only person to ever get a floor model TV and have the factory settings be correct.
Oddly all your settings in each mode are correct, unlike any other TV. Your statements are opposite of what all Home Theater professionals and specialists say. I am not including me in the group , but all the experts from AVS forum, Sound & Vision magazine, Joe Kane, The Imaging Science Foundation(ISF), The Pefect Vsion Magazine and many more recomend just the opposite of what you do in regards to a properly set TV.

While you may feel the picture is perfect it can no way be near the standards developed for the broadcast industry or used by filmakers everywhere.

[Splicer]

I think the difference between me and everyone else in the world is i actually look for the good and not the bad. When something is good I write it is good. If something is bad, I write it is bad. Unlike others who can only write the bad. Praise should be given where praise is due. Toshiba deserves praise for an outstanding product.

Floor models (mine anyway) are not a bad thing. Open box is not a bad thing. They can be, just as buying brand new can be. I am sure people who bought brand new and had to have service or exchanges performed (out of the box problems) can attest to this.

Generally speaking, if something is going to go wrong it usually does in the first 90 days. My floor model (which had been on the floor a couple of months, and believe me, I am harder on my set than people were in the store) had already passed the probationary period with flying colors (pun intended). Not to mention that my warranty (same exact warranty as brand new) started AFTER the probation period. I was covered.

As for being anywhere near the standards developed for the broadcast industry or used by filmakers, it probably isn't. But through my eyes (and everyone who has seen it) is mesmorized by just how stunning the picture is.

[glide]

I don't know if this would help however it may be more safe then spray paint,
as a small aircraft owner I have used black leading edge "tape" on wings, it
prevents small gravel damage on landing, expensive stuff but would work
around screen and not look that bad if applied careful. Just another idea to
consider.

Do you know what that tape is called?

[Lobstah]

When I was in Alaska it was called "100 mile an hour tape"...a.k.a. duct tape :)

Lob

[glide]

When I was in Alaska it was called "100 mile an hour tape"...a.k.a. duct tape :)

Lob

Now that's an idea. I could silver duct tape over the speaker grill and have an all silver set.

But seriously folks, I wonder if there is a brush on paint that won't streak and adhere to the silver finish. I'm not about to drag that set back down the stairs and outside to spray paint. And certainly won't do it my media room. Maybe I'll just use a magic marker on the center bezel, which is really the problem. I have indirect lighting behind my floor standing DefTech speakers which tends to darken the sliver bezel all around. It's just that center piece that never is quite black.

Cable guy coming today! HiDef on the way!

[Splicer]

no no dude. Take the frame off. REAL easy. And you can get rid of the protective 'glare' screen at that time if you wanted to.

I just painted the frame in the garage on some newspapers. Did about 3 or 4 coats to cover it all and I let the coats dry inbetween. I take a damp rag and clean the dust off and no problems. The set looks good in the picture I posted but much better in person.

You are going to love HiDef on your set.

Heres what I wrote to take the screen off:

http://white.hometheatertalk.com/tips/mirror.htm#H83

[oldtimer]

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/leadingedgetape.php

Glide, I buy most products from spruce aircraft, this tape is different then
duct tape, usually in 2 or 3 inch wide, different brands and "cost" but put on
correct it is a tough surface. It could be removed in a pinch however if
it remains on a surface over long periods it would be difficult to remove.

Another aircraft supplier is Wagaero.

[flyonthewall]

Not at all. Again, this is just one mans opinion, but I believe the factory settings are the right settings for the most part. In other words I think they (Toshiba) knew what they were doing.

I give you credit for your DIY attitude and to each is own as far as settings go, but if Tosh knew what they were doing for torch mode then shouldn't they have made tv black like you did?

[glide]

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/leadingedgetape.php

Glide, I buy most products from spruce aircraft, this tape is different then
duct tape, usually in 2 or 3 inch wide, different brands and "cost" but put on
correct it is a tough surface. It could be removed in a pinch however if
it remains on a surface over long periods it would be difficult to remove.

Another aircraft supplier is Wagaero.

Thanks for the info, but after looking at gaffers tape, I think it would be easier to work with and is easily removed without leaving residue. Or if I can find a brush on paint that will adhere and not leave brush strokes, that would be preferable. I really only need to black out the silver horizontal 2" bar that separates the screen from the black speaker grill. The side bezel turns dark enough when I have the behind speaker lights on.