Want to remove anti glare coating for XBR960

[mku917]

I was curious if any of you know how to remove the anti glare coating on the xbr960. I've searched the site and could only find one thread that said he removed it with a product called goof off at goof-off.com. He also said that he couldn't recommend his technique because it took him so long to remove it. I want to remove the glare coating for better picture. I also found out that the "960N" model has a plastic protective coating over the anti glare coating and that the regular 960 doesn't. I have the 960. It looks like I just need to find a chemical that will remove it without damaging the glass or plastic. I thought maybe that clear boxing tape you get at the post office. The reason I say from the post office tape is because thats quality tape with super sticky stuff on it and if youve ever notice that that clear tape doesn't leave a sticky residue if done right. I might practice on my windows before hand. I don't know if the coating is a film or a sprayed on substance. I've found theres different opinions on that. Im not bothered by several windows I live in an apartment thats like living in a cave. Any thoughts?
P.S. If you like the coating and want to keep it never use any tipe of liquid ever not even electronics cleaner to clean it get one of those special cloths used to clean televisions.

[RWetmore]

Interesting idea. If you succeed let us know if the PQ is improved.

[darcon_adonis]

I honestly don't think removing the anti-glare film will make for a better picture.

[Mathesar]

I honestly don't think removing the anti-glare film will make for a better picture.

Ive only removed the antiglare coating on a 19" Sony G400 PC monitor (the coating had a scratch right in the middle of the screen which caused an ugly rainbow effect) , removing it did make the picture look noticeablely brighter but it seemed to take away some of the color richness...

[Waterbug]

matheasar,

how did you remove the anti-glare?

[S. Hiller]

I'd be afraid that removing the anti-glare coating would damage the picture quality. I'd be weary second-guessing Sony's engineers...

(Assuming no big scratch or what have you.)

[SurfingMatt27]

I'd leave it alone, it's there for a reason.

[txtravlr384]

I have a 960 (not a 960N) and removed the anti-glare coating. I provided a very detailed explanation of how to do this a while back in the KD34XBR960 official thread)

[MrGonk]

I removed mine from a regular 960. It made the picture brighter and, oddly, colors seemed slightly more accurate.

[jamesflames]

Some ISF calibrators recommend removal of the anti-glare screen. Infact, from what I understand the only difference between the 960 and 960N is that the 960N does not have the anti-glare screen. I have a calibration tentatively scheduled at the end of this month but will more likely end up being at the end of next month as I'm having the infamous no picture and sound issue. If/when the repair is successful I will have the calibration and can give more information.

[MotorCityJoe]

I removed mine from a regular 960. It made the picture brighter and, oddly, colors seemed slightly more accurate.


Does removing the anti-glare coating void your warrenty? :confused:

[Mathesar]

Some ISF calibrators recommend removal of the anti-glare screen. Infact, from what I understand the only difference between the 960 and 960N is that the 960N does not have the anti-glare screen.


Hmm that would make sense ..I cant see any kind of coating on my 960N and the screen is literally like looking into a mirror when its off. When I look at my 32HS510 the screen isnt as reflective when its off.

[mku917]

Sorry it took so long to reply. I use the internet once a week at the library. I posted my first reply in the official SonyXBR960 thread and then came back to this thread and said DAMN! Why so many replies? Then thought I might as well fully confess to my embarrassing horrifying mistake. This should be right up your ally if you like dark humor. Perfect for Halloween! The first thing I did is called up some glass companies to find out what chemical they suggested using to remove stuff like super glue etc. from glass and a lady told me that alot of the professianals use MEK or known a s Methyl Ethyl Ketone. I was standing their in the hardware store Home Depot and was trying to decide whether to buy Goof-Off or MEK because someone on this site suggested Goof-Off and the pros suggest MEK. Well I went with MEK. First of all the stuff is extremely strong smelling and toxic. I opened alll of the windows in my house, covered my mouth and nose with a sweater, put on rubber gloves and started applying it to my screen with a ruff cloth. I'll try to sum it the best I can because this is where it got kind of confusing. I started rubbing the MEK to the top right corner of my screen slightly larger that the width of your index finger and notice it wasnt coming off that well. I rubbed harder and then looked at the surface and noticed that my screen was etching. I had even tried out the MEK on my glass mirror to make sure it doesnt etch the glass and it worked fine. I then thought maybe MEK wasn't as strong as Goof-Off or something and it was just melting the antiglare coating and smearing it. Well I went out to buy the Goof-Off because I thought it would clean up my mistake. It did remove the coating very well and cleanly but it didn't fix my mistake. Oh well, Its not that noticeable I thought. I then thought maybe I can buff out the mistake with a buffing drill bit. I practiced on my mirror again and it worked fine. The drill bit was a cotton like material but closer to fiberglass by Dremmel if any of you are familiar. I started buffing and then all of a sudden a tiny chuck flew out about 3/8 inch wide. I said what the hell this is glass thats not supposed to happen. Anyways, after all was said and done I tried to figure out why a chunk of the surface flew out and why my glass got etched. I looked at the damage really hard and figured out that the surface underneath the spray paint like coating is very hard PLASTIC! thats why it scratched so easily when I vigorously rubbed MEK on it and why a chunk flew out when buffing. Oh well, its just a $1082 television. Thats right the price dropped. Anyways the damage is only noticible at the far veiwing angle when there is a white image on the screen Not that noticealble from the front viewing angle only if your looking for it. I would not suggest using MEK or a buffing drill bit on your screen but feel free to use Goof-Off or another product called Oops IF YOU DARE MWAH HA HA HA HA! No really they work fine. I would give a couple of tips though if you have to remove the anti glare coating. You can buy all of this stuff at Walmart. First, use protective eye glasses because the fumes from the Goof-Off are a little stronger that finger nail polish remover but not nearly as strong as MEK. Second, use some of those gloves used to apply chemicals. Third, cover your mouth and nose with a mask used for chemicals because this stuff is known to cause BrAiN DaMaGe if inhaled. Fourth, use a very soft cloth that is ONLY 100% cotton other wise you might be smearing whatever material is in the cloth onto your screen. Fourth, that spray paint like material comes of easier than you think rub softly in order not to scuff the screen. Just dont rub really hard. A little pressure with a soft cotton cloth will be fine. FIfth, try applying the chemical to a tiny corner of your screen first. Lastly, open the windows for good air circulation unless you want to fry brain cells. Also, you will have to find some way to protect plastic surrounding your screen because I accidently rubbed a little on the plastic and it quickly removed some of it. Try holding a wide metal paint scraper along the edge of the screen. I can't fully recommend doing this though because I didn't remove all of the coating. Another person on this site did though and he said that he couldn't get all of it off. Beleive me you'll definitely want to get it all off because if you leave any of it on it causes a rainbow like effect around the edges of the coating that is not removed. I would not recommend removing the coating because it is a must have since the screen is extremely reflective. I also noticed that the coating is mainly what gives the black its richness and the black is dull without it. Anyways just wanted to warn everyone.

[MIAsony]

Man that sucks. I would be pissed as hell if that happened to my 30xs955! :mad:

[RWetmore]

Lucky for you, the 30XS955 doesn't have the coating.

[youngnoble]

Hmm that would make sense ..I cant see any kind of coating on my 960N and the screen is literally like looking into a mirror when its off. When I look at my 32HS510 the screen isnt as reflective when its off.

It will have reddish tint to it if the glare screen is applied. The best way to tell is to hold a bright light close the screen when the tv is off. I used a lamp with the shade off. I always wanted to know if the 960n did have the glare screen removed, I could never find one on display. Can you check

[RWetmore]

I really want to remove mine. I may have finally gotting enough courage to actually do it. I'm thinking of maybe doing it this weekend.

[jpl3447]

I really want to remove mine. It's just getting enough courage to actually do it. I'm thinking of doing it this weekend.

That is kind of brave of you RWetmore! Is there any of the coating coming off on yours?

[RWetmore]

That is kind of brave of you RWetmore! Is there any of the coating coming off on yours?

No, but there are portions of the coating that aren't perfectly smooth. I also want to achieve equal brightness at a lower contrast setting because doing so increases clarity via better focus. I'm really annoyed that this set has the coating. In hindsight, I would have been better off purchasing the 34XS955 instead.

[RWetmore]

I took the chance, and successfully removed mine today. I didn't use goof-off to do it. I took the back off and loosened the top front chassy enough to be able to reach up and grab the end of the coating and literally pull it off like a big piece of tape. It is very sticky, and took me at least a half hour to pull it all off, but it never broke into multiple pieces - it's very thick and strong. There was quite a bit of tape like residue on the screen after. I was able to get rid of all it without too much difficulty using alcohol and paper towels. The whole job took me about 3 hours.

I would say it is about 15-20% brighter without the coating. Also, I'd say overall clarity is improved about 10%. The color also seems slightly more natural. It kind of like removing sun glasses, though not as dramatic. All in all, it was a pain, but worth it to me.

[jpl3447]

Wow and to think... the Sony techs could have done what you did whenever they responded to a call about the antiglare coating.

[S. Hiller]

Not like a computer CRT's glare coating I guess...

[RWetmore]

Wow and to think... the Sony techs could have done what you did whenever they responded to a call about the antiglare coating.

Really?

[jpl3447]

Really?

Sure, rather than replace the whole tube with a 960N.

You've read about the anti glare coating coming off in places in other threads right?

[RWetmore]

Sure, rather than replace the whole tube with a 960N.

You've read about the anti glare coating coming off in places in other threads right?

Oh - I get your meaning now.

I'm really glad I did it. I've had a chance to watch it some more now. I noticed that shadow detail is also improved, which gives the picture more depth and realism.

Overall, it's a significant improvement.

[RWetmore]

Upon really close examination of the screen, I noticed there were still some faint remnants of the tape like residue, and I couldn't get them off with with alcohol. I went to Wal-Mart and purchased a product called "Goo Gone," and it worked like a charm on the first, very conservative application. Recommended.

[tomhayes]

I think a small strip of the coating is missing from the lower right portion of my TV. It looks kind of like a little rainbow.

Is there anyway to fix this WITHOUT removing the whole coating??

[RWetmore]

I think a small strip of the coating is missing from the lower right portion of my TV. It looks kind of like a little rainbow.

Is there anyway to fix this WITHOUT removing the whole coating??

Probably not, but a picture would help.

[jpl3447]

How does the screen behave without the film as far as reflections from lights in the room? Are the reflections overly distracting?

[RWetmore]

How does the screen behave without the film as far as reflections from lights in the room? Are the reflections overly distracting?

It is quite a bit more reflective for sure. The screen without the coating is just a piece of glass.

Do you have an older CRT in your house? It probably doesn't have any coating, so it should give you a good idea as to how much reflection you'll get.