I want my MS-8 to display in RED! - Car Audio

radarcontact · 10-24-2011

Hey guys, I just installed my MS-8 and I want to make the display color match the rest of my BMW's interior, which is an orangey-red. Are there non-adhesive films available that I could use? Sorta like the "stickers" found on sunglass lenses in the store, stick great but peel of without leaving any glue or residue.

I will admit, I haven't begun searching yet, but figured this was as good a place to start as any!

Search terms? Vinyl film? Vinyl tint?? Colored vinyl??? Lol
Time to hit Google!

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radarcontact · 10-24-2011

Disregard...that was easy:

http://www.decalfx.com/red_tail_light_film.html

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radarcontact · 10-25-2011

Nevermind...that was a dead end.

Ideas??

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rynfarrell · 10-25-2011

Id look for a cell phone screen protector

radarcontact · 10-25-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by rynfarrell

Id look for a cell phone screen protector

Really? Cool, they come in red?

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radarcontact · 10-25-2011

I have some feelers out there...so I can go from this:

To this:

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M-Dub · 10-28-2011

I did this with an old head unit. Just get a photographers filter gel and stick it under the screen.

**south east customz** · 10-28-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by M-Dub

I did this with an old head unit. Just get a photographers filter gel and stick it under the screen.

Agreed!

radarcontact · 10-28-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by M-Dub

I did this with an old head unit. Just get a photographers filter gel and stick it under the screen.

"under"? Sounds like it would work, but also trash warranty service. Will have to look at that closely, though, that's a great idea. THANKS!

M-Dub · 10-28-2011

Yea under. And it will trash your warranty. It's just an idea. I got it from here: http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...y-way-pic.html I did the exact same thing and it turned out perfect! Good luck!

Neil_J · 10-28-2011

I'm going to be doing this to my ms-8 screen as well. B&H Photo carries a pretty large selection of Rosco and Lee brand gels, they will have dozens of shades of red, amber, what have you. They do sell $3 sample packs, but they're not big enough for the display. I haven't even powered my ms-8 on yet, but if the backlight LED's aren't white, they may need to be switched out. If you want to invert the screen colors, you can do that with a sheet of polarized film.

radarcontact · 10-28-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil_J

I'm going to be doing this to my ms-8 screen as well. B&H Photo carries a pretty large selection of Rosco and Lee brand gels, they will have dozens of shades of red, amber, what have you. They do sell $3 sample packs, but they're not big enough for the display. I haven't even powered my ms-8 on yet, but if the backlight LED's aren't white, they may need to be switched out. If you want to invert the screen colors, you can do that with a sheet of polarized film.

Would the polarized film and the red gel together create red alphanumerics on a dark background? Now that might make it worth it!

Neil_J · 10-28-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by radarcontact

Would the polarized film and the red gel together create red alphanumerics on a dark background? Now that might make it worth it!

Yes. You will have to rotate the polarized film to get the right effect, then cut to size. There are a lot of tutorials out there that explain it better than I have. Results vary based on backlight brightness, LCD type (supertwist, etc), and most importantly, viewing angle.

IBcivic · 10-28-2011

gonna give this a try...the black and white screen makes it stick out like mole on a supermodel's lip

Neil_J · 10-28-2011

I'll probably be the guinea pig and mod my display this weekend.. Then probably write up a guide in the tutorials section.

IBcivic · 10-28-2011

The display is very easy to split apart...4 screws and ur dunn
Took mine apart, re-spray and re-assembled within 30 mins

Neil_J · 10-28-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by amitaF

The display is very easy to split apart...4 screws and ur dunn
Took mine apart, re-spray and re-assembled within 30 mins

Mine's already apart (: I'm trying to reverse engineer the protocol so that I can control it via toggle switches and a rotary encoder instead of the stupid remote...

radarcontact · 10-28-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil_J

Yes. You will have to rotate the polarized film to get the right effect, then cut to size. There are a lot of tutorials out there that explain it better than I have. Results vary based on backlight brightness, LCD type (supertwist, etc), and most importantly, viewing angle.

Heheh...you just scared me off!

IBcivic · 10-28-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil_J

Mine's already apart (: I'm trying to reverse engineer the protocol so that I can control it via toggle switches and a rotary encoder instead of the stupid remote...

That would be sweet.
...or maybe even a touch screen?

Neil_J · 10-28-2011

I started with orange since my MINI gauges are that color. I'm still digging around my house for that polarizer sheet to invert the colors...

It looks pretty bad on-camera because I bought my MS-8 used and the screen is all scratched.. Not to mention the gels have had heavy use on an AlienBees strobe. It also looks pretty dim because most of the light escapes when it's not enclosed in its case. Before anything is permanent, I'm going to polish out the scratches and buy some new gel sheets. And maybe add some higher-power white LED's!