My Reverse Radio LCD Display

[chaser]

I first saw someone from a Japan website did this mod, then found a How-to (http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=28292.0) from M3F.

I used the original LCD polarizer (flipped) but didn\'t like the result. The red text wasn\'t bright enough and black background wasn\'t dark enough. So I ordered a 44% linear transmittance polarizer from 3D Lens (http://www.3dlens.com/enter.html) (Item #: POAT-S). Received the polarizer within a week, quick delivery :)

The new film gives a more black background and the red text is more visible a daytime.

Contrast of the radio LCD display set to 5 or 6.
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/285/dscn342611cz.th.jpg (http://img29.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn342611cz.jpg) http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/9039/dscn342917eb.th.jpg (http://img61.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn342917eb.jpg) http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/931/dscn343314mp.th.jpg (http://img61.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn343314mp.jpg)
Note: The LCD background is less red-ish in the real world.

The toughest parts were to take out the stock polarizer and to clean the glue. I used Goo-Gone and heard that the 3M Adhesive Remover is better.

Overall, I like the result :D

I\'ll try to snap a few daytime pix later.

[mEtH]

nice!

are you seeing alot of the other symbols though? The photos are showing them clearly.

[Broli]

it does look good!!!

but same question as patrick!

[chaser]

No, I don\'t see those \"shouldn\'t be seen\" symbols unless I adjust the contrast to 9+. The pix are over exposed :hoho

[majic]

nice sleek looking mod.. props!! :D

[bluntman]

zoinks! $46US for a sheet???

[chaser]

Originally posted by bluntman
zoinks! $46US for a sheet???

If you want to do for the club! :D

I ordered #POAT-S (200mm x 250mm) for US$9 + US$4 (shipping). It\'s good enough for a few screen.

[Broli]

Originally posted by chaser


No, I don\'t see those \"shouldn\'t be seen\" symbols unless I adjust the contrast to 9+. The pix are over exposed :hoho

thats only an effect of the picture!!

nice for sure then!

i dig it!

[whodilly]

very nice. So all you need is the film to do this mod?

[chaser]

Originally posted by whodilly
very nice. So all you need is the film to do this mod?

This mod could cost you nothing since you can simply use the original film. However, I\'d recommand a new, higher transmittance % polarizer since 1) it gives better result; 2) the sticky side of the original film will be facing out, which will stick dust ...

[iconicrocket]

Thats a neat mod.

Any way to make the display float, more away from the background?

[Hanif]

cool mod!

[majic]

so i figured this would be a 5 min mod.. normally you estimate the time it\'ll take you to do something, double it and that\'s how much time you should expect. well if you forget to account for things like uncontrollable bleeding b/c you cut yourself with a chef\'s knife, then another time with the sharp plastic edges and then you pour some paint thinner on your wounds and pass out, time just flies by :D

first of all.. thanks to chaser for the polarizer.. unfortunately it was in a \'scrap\' envelope and my mom thought it was garbage.. *sigh* a few days later i received the film from 3dlens :)

anyway.. so i followed the instructions as on M3F and i will only highlight things that i did differently.. and add some pictures of course

i\'ll bypass a bunch of stuff - step 9: if you rush, say goodbye to original film and buy one ahead from 3dlens. i ended up cutting it up in 3 pieces and cutting my finger :sarc i found chef\'s knife works best, b/c my exacto knife\'s blade was only 1/2\" long vs the 9\" on the knife.. in any case.. SLOW DOWN!!

googone is $hit... oh but it smells nice.. :sarc i just used industrial strength PAINT THINNER. i wasn\'t sure if it would wreck the display but after a few cuts to my body i couldn\'t care less. well it turns out it\'s 100x better than goo gone and doesn\'t scratch the plastic .. W000000.. :D

|X|Y|

ok imagine this:
X - very minute air space between the PCB and LCD film
Y - very minute air space between LCD film and the clear plastc

well goo gone got in those spaces (grrrrr).. i figured i should dry it and a hair dryer was taking too long.. i used a few toothpics to separate the \"|\" and to make more \"air\" space so i could dry it easier.. then i threw it in the clothes dryer (on a \'shelf\') it\'s been about 40min total now. the goo gone is evaporating slowly... ooh ooh.. i also realized that heating the LCD helps to remove the goo.. hmm maybe googone was ok afterall?

step 12: WARNING!!! plug the HU with the bare LCD display back to the car, take the polarizer and rotate it ON THE LCD WHEN POWERED ON to your hearts content. mark the position and then cut accordingly. unfortunately i just looked at it when it was the darkest (while it was sitting on the table, dismantled and with the display off] and the net result was IDENTICAL TO STOCK!!!! :( take #2!

anyway.. when you cut out the new film measure twice and cut once.. seriously.. thankfuly the film you get from 3dlens is good for 5 screens (i stand corrected; it\'s not, it all depends on how you rotate/position it), so if you screw up try again.. use a scrap piece to find out which is the \'sticky\' side and stick it to the plastic LCD protecting screen.. iron out all the bubbles and finish up the install.. don\'t forget to take off the protective film from the OTHER side.. install the HU and enjoy..

so in the end i had to do it twice.. but the second one is correct.. gave me more time to dry the LCD display more thoroughly.. second time was much faster too :p btw, i had to stick the polarizer on backwards (sticky side out/toward the user) to get the desired effect, otherwise it would have been stock looking again.. needless to say i used the paint thinner to remove the goo and then i crazy glued/duct taped the filter within the metal frame so it wouldn\'t move.. sorry i was too pissed to take anymore pictures.. anyway, below are some pix

goo gone didn\'t work...
http://xs65.xs.to/pics/06041/IMG_0412.jpg

use paint thinner instead
http://xs65.xs.to/pics/06041/IMG_0410.jpg

chef\'s 9\" knife & blood spots ;)
http://xs65.xs.to/pics/06041/IMG_0415.jpg

top: old gooey and broken (user error) polarizer
bottom: the new one
http://xs65.xs.to/pics/06041/IMG_0419.jpg

drying the LCD.. toothpicks help
http://xs65.xs.to/pics/06041/IMG_0422.jpg

before:
http://xs65.xs.to/pics/06041/IMG_0409.jpg

after:
http://xs65.xs.to/pics/06041/IMG_0456.jpg

yah i know.. dusty dash.. meh..
I guess this is how it would look during the day
http://xs65.xs.to/pics/06041/IMG_0459.jpg

nightime + flash =? daytime
http://xs65.xs.to/pics/06041/IMG_0460.jpg

the \'back glow\' isnt really this bad
http://xs65.xs.to/pics/06041/IMG_0462.jpg

PS. video is to come... it is being verified by google.. i\'ll post a link as soon as it\'s verified!!

!!!video added (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3532581670008011481)!!!

[TheProfessor]

As usual, good write-up......now let\'s see some pics of said wounds (are they avatar worthy ;) )

[MAZDA Kitten]

Originally posted by PSIVIC


As usual, good write-up......now let\'s see some pics of said wounds (are they avatar worthy ;) )

Please dont give him any ideas!!!! Knowing him he probably did take pics of his cuts!

TY HUJU!

[Cardinal Fang]

Majic’s posts seem to be pretty thorough with a little drama thrown in to entertain. I’m going to give him style points for the CSI moments that got me hooked on the install.

:D

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Nice job,

Gotta ask... What is with the shot glass in the back ground??

Doing some \'Goo Gone\' Shots... nice...

[majic]

Originally posted by MAZDA Kitten



Originally posted by PSIVIC


As usual, good write-up......now let\'s see some pics of said wounds (are they avatar worthy ;) )

Please dont give him any ideas!!!! Knowing him he probably did take pics of his cuts!

TY HUJU!

i did ;) but by then they were pretty much dried up and un-gruesome.. i think i\'ll pry the wounds open a little, snap some pix and post :D wouldn\'t you like that .. hehe and no.. it won\'t be in my avatar.. MUAHAHAHAHAH

btw, the following pic is NOT what the display looks like in the daylight

http://xs65.xs.to/pics/06041/IMG_0460.jpg

it looks the same at night as it does during the day - i guess if you get some mad sunlight inside the car then maybe it\'ll be similar to that.. either way it looks good to me :D


Originally posted by PSIVIC
Gotta ask... What is with the shot glass in the back ground??


someone will always find the little details eh Sherlock? i\'m surprised you didn\'t ask what the butter was for :sarc :D well, as i said.. paint thinner shots do ease the pain (help you pass out and forget what happened)
* KIDS, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME*

DISCLAIMER: *no squirrels were shot at with a bbgun, no racoons were attacked with a paintball gun and no wwwabits paws were collected while i was \'passed out\'* .. REALLY

[TheProfessor]

Majic, I didn\'t even ask the question about the shot glass, you screwed up your quote! Gasp, Majic screwed up on teh Intraweb :p

[Caz]

PSIVIC-oogled
Boo-yeah:D

[TheProfessor]

Originally posted by Caz


PSIVIC-oogled
Boo-yeah:D

That\'s a first!

[majic]

!!!video added (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3532581670008011481)!!!

[bubba1983]

ooooooooooooooh everybody needs sometime......


:D

[TheProfessor]

Originally posted by majic



!!!video added (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3532581670008011481)!!!

Looks really nice, good work man!

[Cardinal Fang]

Yep...I have to say I didn\'t think much of this modification when I first read about it but I have to admit it is nice. Good job.

[bluntman]

Nice job Majic!

[chaser]

Majic, what contrast level do you set to? I set mine to 5 or around.

[majic]

Originally posted by chaser


Majic, what contrast level do you set to? I set mine to 5 or around.


i forget but judging by the video.. i think it\'s 8 :D

there\'s not that much change from 5-8 but it is a little crisper the higher you go without noticing all the unlit signs

[Caz]

Looks good and the choice of music was nice, it took me back to high school.

[SourcE]

Question....kinda related,

Do you have the mp3 deck?

[majic]

Originally posted by SourcE


Question....kinda related,

Do you have the mp3 deck?

if you\'re talking to me - yes..

[Tokyo Drift]

it's so hard to do it. I'm afraid of breaking it

[Acradian9]

that looks dammmmmmm niceeee
i wish i could try this out but im afraid of wrecking/cracking the screeenn =S

[MattC]

just buy an aftermarket deck.

phone jeff @ lockdown, or one of the other sponsors, they can hook you up real nice.

[kannda]

Hi !! in spain we make this

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/6752/fotolcdmz3lg7.jpg

you see the tutorial in this thread --> http://www.mazdatres.com/ftopic-15643-days0-orderasc-0.html