Preventing 3DS 3D Screen Scratches from the Touchscreen Ridge

As suggested in a separate thread, I have a way to solve the 3D screen scratching:

I plan on purchasing some adhesive feet and applying them to the upper, inner corners of the 3DS top-screen/lid.

The scratching occurs because the bottom screen ridge rubs up against the 3D screen when the clamshell lid is closed.

I measured the bottom screen ridge and found it to be ~2mm. Thus, the adhesive feet must be >2mm.

According to this handy conversion chart...

http://mdmetric.com/tech/cvtcht.htm

... it looks like 7/64" is the sweet spot at 2.78mm. (1/8" may work as well)

McMaster Carr sells adhesive feet, but so do many other vendors.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#adhesive-backed-bumpers/=c0uj6z

MC's #95495K423 May work. It's a 7/64" square base with a l/w of ~0.4"/~10mm.

I'll order some and try them out. Any extra, I'll give out, minus the cost for postage. (Don't ping me until I've got 'em.)

I went ahead and ordered some...

I'll evaluate them and post my results. Then (assuming this pans out) I'll put the leftovers up-for-grabs and charge something like $0.99 to cover an envelope and a 1st class stamp for US residents. Sound fair?

Im ready to order if they work out

Hey, count me in for a set, once you get them!

I was suggesting the same thing in a previous thread.

That's a great idea! It sure would beat screen protectors -- I hate them for reasons I'm too tired to discuss.
I owe you one, IBNobodyAwesome.

Screen protectors can be a nightmare if they don't go on flawlessly, but they can be your best investment if they do. I'm curious if these rubber feet are removeable, without damaging the black finish of the top screen, or leaving behind a sticky mess.

Off topic, I noticed your avatar changes if you wait long enough. Pretty cool

I don't get why these scratches are such a big deal.
I do the simplest thing to my screen and I can't even find a spot on it anymore.
All you have to do is, before you close it, put a screen cleaning cloth on the 3D screen so when you close it, the 2 screens don't touch AND your 3D screen gets wiped.
Seriously, it's better than any adhesive or whatever or if you don't like screen protectors. (I hate protectors. I had one that put a million bubbles in my screen)

They should be removable. It's a rubber-based adhesive. It may leave a "sticky mess", but every good techie should own a bottle of GooGone.

I love (Hori) screen protectors, and I'm a ninja at putting them on. What I plan on doing is either attaching the adhesive pads to the protector or cutting out a corner of the protector.



While that solution may appear to work, you run the risk of debris getting on the cleaning cloth and getting ground into your screen. Plus you have to keep the cleaning cloth around. For me, it was just a hassle.

Does it actually cause scratches? Or does it just leave dirt? Because I can wipe my marks off of the top screen, and it appears to be dirt....

The newly rediesigned hori screen protectors are so much much easier to put on then all past screen protectors I would really say it is worth a try and get them. Mine went on flawlessly and no air bubbles at all. It is a totally new design for how they go on. They have security tabs to hold the protector in place while you put it on. And the way it goes on almost insures no dust gets between the filter and 3ds while it goes on. I love the new hori design. I wish they would make ( as the havn't when I bought the 3ds ones ) the new design for the dsi and XL

Edited by aiRWaLKRe, 26 April 2011 - 09:45 PM.

I have screen protectors, but the edge isn't perfect, which annoys me. Would putting feet on be of any of a visual annoyance?

They start off as innocent-looking dirtmarks, but they can turn into scratches. On the 3DS I'm returning to Amazon, it eventually got scratched (but not on the display area).



I'll take pictures. You can be the judge.

Got 'em, and got 'em quick.

I'll post more pics soon.

That looks like a good idea. The only thing that I would want to do differently is order some that are half the thickness and use 4 of then, 2 on the top half and 2 on the bottom half and make sure they touch exactly. My fear would be that if any dirt, grit, or anything abrasive gets between the pads and the other half that does not have the pads that it could wear away the finish on the 3DS. Otherwise that looks pretty sweet. Great find.

Sorry for that - I preemptively hit send.

Here are the squares. They look black because I stuck them to some black-marked index cards. I could reposition them without having to peel them up.



I tried both the big (1/8" height) and little squares (7/64" height) and found out some things.

1. I checked the top-to-bottom-screen contacts by affixing some tape (sticky-side-up) to the bottom screen. If the top screen made contact, the tape would stick to it.

2. The lid can bow inwards, and that would fail the tape test.

3. Because of #1, The best placement of the pads is NOT at the corners! It's actually better to place them so they hit the bottom-screen's ridge.



4. The little squares could be placed above the 3D screen and not block the view of the screen.



5. Thinner is better. Even 7/64" is too thick now that I'm placing them to hit the bottom-screen edge.



6. You can place up to 4 of these pads on the top screen, as long as they hit the bottom screen's Select/Home/Start bar on the hard plastic spaces between the buttons.

I peeled off the button sticker for your viewing pleasure.



7. You can cut these pads in half to make a more stylized, less intrusive look.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

It works. It leaves a gap, but it's not too bad. I can't find anything thinner than 7/64" in a square shape. I plan on trying to trim some of those squares down. Maybe I'll try and sand them.

If you want a pair of them, just PM me for instructions. It'll be $1.00 for 2 pads for US folk. I have no idea what it'll take to send 'em overseas.

Edited by IBNobody, 28 April 2011 - 04:45 AM.