keypad area wear / silk screen psr-800
- Thread starter torontokris
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I cannot tell from your abbreviated serial whether yours is newer or older than mine and a prior poster with a #6800 number has the defective one as did I. It doesn't look as though the problem is over. By new faceplate, I assume you mean all shiny.
Also, my replacement arrived and it has a protective plastic screen used in shipping to keep from scratching so clearly, someone somewhere knows how to do this correctly. Now if we could just get them to talk to the factory???
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I put in a ticket with GRE. They are sending a new front panel. If you swap out the panel yourself, just be sure the connecting circuit tape is firmly seated if it disconnects between the two boards. Not much force is needed to re-connect as it just slides into a slot and is "pinched". The speaker will need to be remounted in the new piece. An exacto knife will seperate the speaker glue. You will need to apply an appropriate dab or two of glue to keep the speaker attached to the new piece. If you would like to simply remove the remaining paint on the front panel, you can use Q-tips with mineral spirits as I did. Mineral spirits is also what is sold as tar remover in auto supply stores but cost more. It's the same stuff. The new front plate or panel comes unpainted. They stopped painting them. The finish is just a shiny black plastic which you will see on your radio after the paint wears off. The writing (GRECOM & EZ
Scan Digital) remains after stripping off the Matt black finish using the mineral spirits. You don't loose the labeling. (how they painted over the labeling and got it to still be visible is beyond me!)
Hope this helps
Bill
Scan Digital) remains after stripping off the Matt black finish using the mineral spirits. You don't loose the labeling. (how they painted over the labeling and got it to still be visible is beyond me!)
Hope this helps
Bill
A fix for the keypad area wear
Mineral Spirits and Q-Tips. I have a replacement from GRE on it's way. Should be here today. But in the meantime, I tried with great success, cleaning off the remaining silk screen or paint as GRE calls it and have the scanner (PSR-800) looking perfect. The replacement GRE is sending does not have the black paint, as they have stopped coating it due to the wear problems. The new one will be shiny black plastic, just as you see where the paint has worn off of your radio. The GRECOM and EZ Scan Digital do not disapear either. They somehow managed to have that in the plastic and show through the black paint. So when you remove all the black matt finish, the writing will still be there.
If you have GRE send you a new front plate as I have done, and expect to replace it yourself, a jewlers screwdriver, philips head, will be needed. When seperating the circuit boards there is a circuit tape connecting two of the boards. It may pull out of its connector. Not to worry, it slides back in and gets "pinched" by the connector. The speaker however, is another problem. It is attached to the front case by a glue poured around its edges. An exacto knife can be used to dislocate it and glue applied to reattach it to the new piece. Thats it. I did not get the radio to turn on when I first reassembled it, checked that the circuit tape was still firmly attached, and it was, reasembled it and this time put all the screws in to make sure another connection between the circuit boards was seated properly (on one circuit board there is a male plug and the other board, a female recepticle that accepts the male plug) and it powered up with no problems. So if you dont get a powerup without the screws replaced, or being tight, put them in and tighten them first.
GRE is honoring the fix for this problem but using the mineral spirits and Q-Tips will get you the same results without downtime waiting for your radio to be returned. Just take your time swabbing the thing, using the mineral spirits sparingly. Apply the mineral spirits to the Q-Tips and make sure it's not dripping wet. Tar remover sold in automotive stores is nothing more than mineral spirits but cost more when it is sold that way. Read the label and assure yourself the only ingredient is mineral spirits. I wiped mine down and it looks so good I am going to save the replacement cover for later when it shows wear and tear from scratches, etc. A cell phone display protector is also a good idea. Too bad they dont make one with the key pad already cut out for the 800. It would have saved the matt black finish!
Hope this helps
Bill
Mineral Spirits and Q-Tips. I have a replacement from GRE on it's way. Should be here today. But in the meantime, I tried with great success, cleaning off the remaining silk screen or paint as GRE calls it and have the scanner (PSR-800) looking perfect. The replacement GRE is sending does not have the black paint, as they have stopped coating it due to the wear problems. The new one will be shiny black plastic, just as you see where the paint has worn off of your radio. The GRECOM and EZ Scan Digital do not disapear either. They somehow managed to have that in the plastic and show through the black paint. So when you remove all the black matt finish, the writing will still be there.
If you have GRE send you a new front plate as I have done, and expect to replace it yourself, a jewlers screwdriver, philips head, will be needed. When seperating the circuit boards there is a circuit tape connecting two of the boards. It may pull out of its connector. Not to worry, it slides back in and gets "pinched" by the connector. The speaker however, is another problem. It is attached to the front case by a glue poured around its edges. An exacto knife can be used to dislocate it and glue applied to reattach it to the new piece. Thats it. I did not get the radio to turn on when I first reassembled it, checked that the circuit tape was still firmly attached, and it was, reasembled it and this time put all the screws in to make sure another connection between the circuit boards was seated properly (on one circuit board there is a male plug and the other board, a female recepticle that accepts the male plug) and it powered up with no problems. So if you dont get a powerup without the screws replaced, or being tight, put them in and tighten them first.
GRE is honoring the fix for this problem but using the mineral spirits and Q-Tips will get you the same results without downtime waiting for your radio to be returned. Just take your time swabbing the thing, using the mineral spirits sparingly. Apply the mineral spirits to the Q-Tips and make sure it's not dripping wet. Tar remover sold in automotive stores is nothing more than mineral spirits but cost more when it is sold that way. Read the label and assure yourself the only ingredient is mineral spirits. I wiped mine down and it looks so good I am going to save the replacement cover for later when it shows wear and tear from scratches, etc. A cell phone display protector is also a good idea. Too bad they dont make one with the key pad already cut out for the 800. It would have saved the matt black finish!
Hope this helps
Bill
nc4tn
Member
2700 serial range wearing off too.....
Mine started wearing off in about a day. GRE customer service responded very promptly and ticket made for return. In 002700 serial range.
Mine started wearing off in about a day. GRE customer service responded very promptly and ticket made for return. In 002700 serial range.
I recieved mine today ser no.0070xx.. the face plate is the same material as the screen as in the black is not on the surface its on the underside and the surface is glassy and glass smooth( like a normal scanners display screen) seems durable, I guess we shall see..
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zzdiesel
Member
My new one is Serial 83** and the problem seems to be remedied. My 1st one that I bought last winter started pealing the first or 2nd day.
Hope it's remedied!
That's the main reason I've hesitated about getting this scanner because I didn't want a problem with the appearance of the scanner right out of the box! Also, I wish someone would make a case that was both attractive and would not scratch the scanner.
That's the main reason I've hesitated about getting this scanner because I didn't want a problem with the appearance of the scanner right out of the box! Also, I wish someone would make a case that was both attractive and would not scratch the scanner.
Tracker
Member
Don't let that deter you, you'll be missing out on a great scanner........everyone that owns one is dealing n coping with the defect.......n you will too!
I've had mine about a month, serial 005114 and its just starting to show now under the large volume/direction control button. Not so happy about this after paying so much. Poor quality control. : (
Will deal with it like the other people here and clean it myself but shouldn't have to do this. I wonder what will be next if something as simple as this has passed by inspection.
Will deal with it like the other people here and clean it myself but shouldn't have to do this. I wonder what will be next if something as simple as this has passed by inspection.
I did what some other said here and used wd-40 and a q-tip. It was slow going and so hard to get the paint off from around the buttons, so i took it apart to work on those areas easier without worrying about getting gunk inside. Turned out ok but the whole time I kept telling myself I should be having to do this GRE. I'm glad they've been kind and helpful to those who sent theirs back though. I still love the scanner. Just wonder though how I read other people say GRE told them the problem was under control/fixed yet I just bought mine and still had the problem.
I saw this happening on my early model PSR-800 within the first week. I took some lighter fluid and went to work with a soft towel and q-tips. It took a while but all of the coating comes off, and what is left is a beautiful shiny panel, with all lettering intact (how they ship them now). I would rather put in the work to do this than take my scanner apart, assuming that I were able to get one of the front panels which would seem pretty unlikely about now.
This fix is tedious, but worth it in my view. I don't care for the idea of using WD40, as it leaves petroleum residue, and that doesn't sound good. I think the fluid used should be one that evaporates totally and leaves no residue. Just my two cents.
This fix is tedious, but worth it in my view. I don't care for the idea of using WD40, as it leaves petroleum residue, and that doesn't sound good. I think the fluid used should be one that evaporates totally and leaves no residue. Just my two cents.
rembrant
Member
My Cure
A year ago (or so) when I purchased my 800 the finish started peeling on mine also.
I took the scanner apart and cleaned of the old finish.
I know a lot of you like the "glossy, shiny look" but I dont like to keep cleaning off fingerprints.
Here is my permanant repair.
1. Remove front cover (not that hard).
2. Clean surface with alcohol, I used regular over the counter denatured.
3. Mask display area, I used old phone screen protector cut to 4.6mm x 2.6mm.
4. Make sure to clean again if neccesary.
5. I sprayed 1 light coat followed by 1 medium coat of Rust-oleum
2x Matte Finish.
6. I let dry overnight before reassembly.
The finish looks like the original and has not discolored, peeled, or scratched in a year.
And NO fingerprints!
A year ago (or so) when I purchased my 800 the finish started peeling on mine also.
I took the scanner apart and cleaned of the old finish.
I know a lot of you like the "glossy, shiny look" but I dont like to keep cleaning off fingerprints.
Here is my permanant repair.
1. Remove front cover (not that hard).
2. Clean surface with alcohol, I used regular over the counter denatured.
3. Mask display area, I used old phone screen protector cut to 4.6mm x 2.6mm.
4. Make sure to clean again if neccesary.
5. I sprayed 1 light coat followed by 1 medium coat of Rust-oleum
2x Matte Finish.
6. I let dry overnight before reassembly.
The finish looks like the original and has not discolored, peeled, or scratched in a year.
And NO fingerprints!
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fourthhorseman
Member
Rusto Rocks man,
Been using it for years,
great finishes ,,takes a
while to cure,but the oil
base dries solid!
Nice Work..
Been using it for years,
great finishes ,,takes a
while to cure,but the oil
base dries solid!
Nice Work..
Nice job, man!! Looks great!!
faraday51
Member
Good job with the Rustoleum.
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