[Anthony1]

I have a Sony KP-51HW40, and the protective screen has lots of scratches on it. The reason it has lots of scratches is because I have two little boys. Anyways, my plan is to remove the protective screen and to take it to this plastics place, so that they can make me a copy of it, so I can put the new one in, with no scratches.



The reason I need to take the protective screen to a plastics place and have them copy the exact dimensions and thickness, etc, etc, is because Sony charges way too freaking much for the damn screen, and I'm likely to have to do this again, because my kids are still little. My plan is to actually have the plastics place make me 2 copies of it. One to install back in right away, and the other to keep out in my Garage. I know my kids will scratch the new one up eventually, so I figure I might as well get two of them made.



Right now, I just can't enjoy watching movies or playing Xbox on this TV, because there are too many damn scratches and it's just plain annoying. Especially when any bright images are on the screen. You see these big ass scratches on the screen, it's very depressing.



I did remove 13 screws from the back, and I was able to take the front part of the screen partly off, but apparently, it's attatched somewhere on the bottom as well, and I don't want to break anything. I'm trying to avoid ordering the service manual if possible, so I was thinking maybe one of you guys have this 51 inch Sony and you've already removed the glare screen and know what I'm talking about. I just need to know what to do, to be able to detach it from whatever it holding it at the bottom, so that I can remove the protective screen and take it to this plastics place that can make me a simulation of it.



Can anybody help me? I'm desperate. I've got to change that screen cause the scratches are just killing my enjoyment of it.

 

[jjsmithin]

I'm not sure my model is the same as yours......but.....I removed my front screen a couple of times in order to clean the lenses and mirror inside.


On the front bezel of the TV, I removed all the screws which are at the bottom...then you grab firmly the side and push or slide straight up on the front frame and the frame snaps out of retaining slots. From there you have access to the guts of the TV and the plastic screen. There are still some wires attached for the power and controls so you have to be careful how far you move it from the main body of the TV.


That said, I dont think the screen is any plain old plastic. It is specially made with reticules to reflect light shown through it from the back so you see a proper image. I would guess buying a replacement might be a chunk of cost of a new new TV. Might be worth some research before committing one way or another.

 

[Anthony1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjsmithin I'm not sure my model is the same as yours......but.....I removed my front screen a couple of times in order to clean the lenses and mirror inside. On the front bezel of the TV, I removed all the screws which are at the bottom...then you grab firmly the side and push or slide straight up on the front frame and the frame snaps out of retaining slots. From there you have access to the guts of the TV and the plastic screen. There are still some wires attached for the power and controls so you have to be careful how far you move it from the main body of the TV. That said, I dont think the screen is any plain old plastic. It is specially made with reticules to reflect light shown through it from the back so you see a proper image. I would guess buying a replacement might be a chunk of cost of a new new TV. Might be worth some research before committing one way or another.

Well, there are two layers in there right? The actual real screen itself, and then the plastic protective covering. I'm not going to mess with the real screen, just the outer layer that protects the screen from scratches, etc. The place that I talked to, said that they aren't 100 percent positive that they could replicate the protective screen, but they said that it might indeed be possible. They need to examine it up close to determine if they can replicate it. They can do the exact same thickness, and exact same dimensions. A TV Repair guy told me that he has had customers who have done that, rather than go through Sony directly. If I go through Sony or a TV Repair place, we are talking about $400. Maybe even closer to $450. There is a place that specializes in doing protective screen coverings like this. They actually charge $280, and that includes the install.


I wouldn't mind paying $280, but my kids are 5 and 2. Both boys. The 5 year old knows not to mess with the TV, but the 2 year old doesn't seem to remember. Plus they have so many cousins and stuff that come over. I know that any new protective screen I get will also get scratched, but it took some time for this one to get this scratched up. I just want to enjoy this TV again. Right now, I can't really enjoy it that much. The plastics place could make me a copy, assuming it's doable for about $100. If they can do it, I'm going to have them make two of them, so that I have one in reserve.




So on the bottom of the front part of the TV there are a bunch of screws? I didn't check the bottom of the front. I was removing the screws from the back. I did get the screen to come off part way, like about 4 or 5 inches at the top of the screen, but it was still attached at the bottom, so I really couldn't get access to it. I'll have to check the bottom of it tomorrow and see if those screws are there. Did you use a service manual to guide you through it, or did you just wing it? Did your Sony have the protective outer layer?

 

[hdnewbie05]

Anthony1;


If you have not taken your protective layer to be measured and copied, you might want to consider this. I read it on an hdtv related website, and it sounds completely reasonable. Have not done it myself, but planning to do it in the future.


Since you are planning to take your protective layer out, once you do that assemble the tv back together. Then, measure the frame in the front of the screen , and buy a 1/8 plexiglass, and some black weather-stripping foam(the adhesive kind). Drill two holes on the plexiglass, one on each end, thread a string through them. Stick the weather-stripping around the plexiglass so it won't damage the frame of the tv. Finally, hang the plexiglass in front of your frame by using the string and some L brackets. Whenever you don't want it on there (while watching movies) just remove it, and hang it back on when you want to protect it.

I don't how much this would cost, but I assume it would be less then $200.