How to mod the pearl on the noob DSSD and Sub-C

[bklm1234]

The pearls on the noobfactory DSSDs and Sub-Cs often have the glossy/shinny acrylic covering the metal rim, like this:

Here's the mod I have tried:

- use the finest flat needle file you can find to file on the pearl, continue to file even you reach the metal rim to ensure there's no acrylic still attached to the rim. You now basically have a flattened, dull pearl, all the way to the rim.

- mix a generous amount (which lets you have excess so you don't have to pick up a drop with bubbles) of epoxy with more hardener than the usual 1:1 proposition. This ensures faster hardening and a solid hard epoxy drop. If not enough hardener, the drop may never harden and/or isn't hard enough. Also more hardener gives a whiter/shinnier surface

- use a fine pin and pick up a drop of epoxy, dip it to the center of the filed down pearl area. You really don't have to spread it. The epoxy drop will spread itself as you dip the drop in an up and down action. It knows to stop at the rim thanks to surface tension.

- you may have too much epoxy. Just wipe the pin, and remove excess epoxy by dipping the pin at the center of the drop, wipe off the pin, repeat till you have just the right amount and curvature.

- if you screw up, just wipe everything off before it all dries up and start over. It's very forgiving.

Result:

Have fun.

-bk

[P4GTR]

Again, nice work BK. Thanks for sharing. Share the specific epoxy you use if you don't mind.

[bklm1234]

I use Araldite from the UK. The resin is very white/clear, not yellowy like the one I bought from Walmart before.

bk

[sander]

Thanks for letting us know!

[Migge]

Great tip on modification, its really hard to tell but the genuine actually has a saphire coated pearl.

This will improve the stock pearl alot thought!!

Thanks BK!

Mike

[simonporsche]

Sweet mod, it makes a big difference.

[krpster]

I did basically the same on mine (sorry no pics at present) but I did one additional step. After filing flat I used a drill bit a little smaller than the OD of the pearl rim and manually drilled the lume material down. Holding the bit like a pencil, center the bit in the pearl and twist it back and forth between thumb and finger). This creates a cavity in the pearl that contains the epoxy nicely and prevent overflow past the rim.

[mjmurphy926]

Nice BK! This should be pinned.