An old friend of mine used to use the blowdryer shrink wrap to protect his remote. It really worked exceptionally well, you didn't even notice it the fit was so nice. It really kept his remote factory fresh, he would replace the shrink wrap with every battery change.

Have any of you tried this? He found a rubbery, strong shrink wrap to use, it wasn't the normal brittle plastic. I lost track of him and don't know his phone number. Anyone know where to get this kind of shrink wrap?

Thanks,

Bigdog

This message was edited by Bigdog on 03/06/02 22:49.29.

If you find out, Ken would sure love to know. He's lost two MX-1000's to an overindulgence in wine!

I hope Ken stops in and sees this.

I think Bigdog is on to something here. The only commercial products I've seen so far are these GPS
waterproof bags. A little overkill in my view!

Oh my goodness .... those are horrendous .. LOL. In your case however, I might use one until you protect it more conventionally, hahaha. The shrink wrap covers the remote like a skin and does not interfere with operation in the slightest, it's nothing like those bulky bags. I've written a shrink wrap shop I found on Ebay to see if they have any 'rubberish' shrink wrap, I'll let you all know what they say.

I did receive a letter with some advice on what to do while I am hunting for the perfect shrink wrap ---

- use a 'glad sandwich bag', the plain kind, not the heavy ziplock bags. This material does not cling, is thick and tough enough to last through a set of batteries and thin enough to not interfere with remote operations. Cut the bag at the seams to create a smooth, flat piece of plastic. Cover your remote with it, keeping it fairly firm but not too tight, you don't want it pressing multiple buttons when you press a single button. Having it too loose will make it more noticeable when using the remote. Use small pieces of tape to secure one side at a time to the back of the remote until you have it covered and the tightness is comfortable for you. Then take tape and secure everything on the back very well making sure to leave no gaps for dirt to enter ... walla, a protected remote. The person told me it has saved his remote many times and if done properly you don't even notice the covering after a short time.

I am going to get some sandwich bags today and test it on some of my other remotes. It might suffice until I can find a good shrink product.

Most of you probably cringe at the thought of covering your remote. When you are a slob like me protecting my beloved remote from greasy hands when I forget to wash them after pizza is a must, hahaha.

Bigdog

Actually, I tried regular Plastic Food Wrap on my remote last night, and if you take your time and stretch it well, using a couple of pieces of the non-shiny "invisible" tape on the back, it actually works quite well.

It isn't as good as shrink wrap would be, since the shrink wrap will conform to the actual shape, but it doesn't even feel like it is on.

Might be something to try if the bags don't work.

If they do, let us know, please!

Thanks.

... Greg

The person that wrote me about the sandwich bag idea said that he personally found the 'cling type wrap' a bit too thin and the cling could make it press buttons unintentionally.

Greg, how is it working for you? Give me some details on your impressions and what brand of wrap you are using. I may pick up some of that instead of sandwich bags when I go to the store. If the roll type wrap is strong enough and if it can be used when stretched fairly tight that would be the next best thing to shrink wrap.

Does URC read these forums? If so URC you should start making some custom protectors for your remotes. With your awesome design staff I bet it would rock, heck, it might even make you guys some money ... haha. Maybe I should open my own company and make them for all remote .. like the keyboard skins you can order on the net, haha.

Anyway, I digress. Greg lay some info on me :)


Bigdog

This message was edited by Bigdog on 03/07/02 11:42.45.

YES!!! Finally someone else!! My wife thought I was nuts when we first met and my remotes were in shrinkwrap!

When I was in college I worked in a video store (VHS only). We used to keep the movies in plastic cases behind the counter and would put a styrofoam block in the movie "sleeve" and then shrinkwrap it to put out on the floor. We used heavy-duty "shrinkwrap-on-a-roll" that you would roll out to the correct size and then "cut" it with this arm that would seal it as it cut. You would do the same to the open end and then use a "heat gun" (pronounced kick@ss blowdryer) to "shrink" the plastic wrap.

Anyway, one day I got the idea to try it on my remotes. It worked fantastic! Unfortunately I do not have access to one now to protect my MX-500 but if I did, I would use it in a heartbeat! The only downside is that you eventually will have to replace the batteries and will be forced to re-shrinkwrap the remote.

I need to see this! Everyone take some pictures!

Randy
www.RRDeals.com

This message was edited by www.RRDeals.com on 03/07/02 12:32.10.

Shoot! I made a detailed reply and the forum didn't accept it!

I'll try again later....... gotta run!

Greg,

Did you click Submit and instantly shown a PAGE NOT FOUND? If so, are you using IE6? It seems to be a widespread problem.

Randy
www.RRDeals.com

No, I have never gotten that. It just appeared to be sent as usual, but I didn't go back and check the post.

Oh well, here goes, although slightly revised.

I used plain old Plastic Food Wrap. The cheapest they have in the store.

I just cut it approximately to size. Keep track of the size you cut it, since you're more than likely to do this more than once, and having the correct size each time makes it so much easier.

Get some "invisible" tape, as long as you need for the back of the remote, and tape one corner of the shrink film to the bottom just left of center with the bottom half inch of the tape. Then stretch the film upward, and while stretched, tape it down.

Now, stretch the film AROUND the front of the remote and to the back. Take a black felt marker and mark where you should cut the film.

Cut the film.

Now, restretch around the front and tape it to the back bottom of the remote, as before. Stretch vertically and press down the full length of the tape.

This leaves the bottom and top open an with extra film.

With a bit of strategic cutting, you can bring the film around the back at the top and tape it down. Same with the bottom.

The film does not conform to the grooves on the back, but it doesn't matter since it flexes so easily.

Same with the front of the remote. It lays on top of all of the keys, but looks fine because it is clear.

All of the buttons, including the thumbpad, are quite easy to use. The LCD is easily seen.

The only part that doesn't look quite so great is the back of the remote. But that depends on how adept you are at cutting, stretching and taping.

Mine looks pretty good.

BUT, I think I'm going to go down and get some of the double-face carpet tape at Home Depot ( a short roll), and cut it and put a strip down the back of the remote. I would then lay the shrink film halfway across the tape (left side of tape) at the beginning and then stretch it nicely around, and then press it to the other half of the tape (right side of tape).

Then the remainder can easily be trimmed.

Then a little trimming at the top and bottom, a piece of double-face tape top and bottom, and some judicious stretching, and bingo!...... no pizza stains, no wine saturation, etc.

Try it guys! Looks pretty good to me, and I like my stuff to look good!

... Greg

P.S. I hope this one goes through. I've copied it to my clipboard just in case! :-)

Do you guys also have a plastic covered sofa? :-)

seriously: have you can try looking at these [Link: dougcare.com]
[Link: vacuum-food-sealer.com]

Sure. I've seen them in stores many times. You use a roll of film and the heated bar seals the end. The it sucks out the air, and seals the other end.

Problem is, it puts out a certain width only and it also gives you a square packaging, no matter what you do.

Great for food, not so great for remotes.

... Greg

And I thought I was alone...

I've been doing this for YEARS!

My explanation when I have guests is, "Look at all the remotes. They were multiplying so fast I had to make them wear condoms...."

Mike: What exactly were you doing? Is it any different from what I've tried to do?

Thanks.

... Greg