Shrink wrap environmental covers for your machines!!

[khouse]

I got tired of not seeing the display on my machines. So I got an idea of using a heavy duty shrink wrap bag. They are cheap on ebay and I figured it was worth a try. I purchased several 8x12 bags. I saw where there are two types of materials used. There are PVC bags as well as POF bags. They say the POF bags are more durable and softer. Both types shrink 40%. I did some experiments on bag sizes and decided the 8 inch wide bags would be best. These bags come 12 inches long. I don't know which material is going to be best yet. But today my PVC bags came in. I saw where I needed to cut the bag 7 inches long. Then I pulled the bag down tight and taped both sides together under the bottom of the control box. Then I got my heat gun out and set it to 300 degrees F. I started on the back in the center making the front more tight from the back. Then I moved around the sides and top and finally the front. These bags shrink very fast and the machine didn't get hot. I took it out in the sun and the clarity is super. If you want you can cut your regular cover out where the screen is and have extra protection. I have already done this and it works fine. I'm sure this will work with the ctx3030 too. Heck it works on my xterra. You just have to cut a flap for the headphones and then run some clear tape around the cut out for some added strength. Some machines may require a different size bag? But I'm sure this will solve a lot of problems. One of the pictures shows me pealing the wrap off on my first try. You can use a hair dryer if you don't have a heat gun.
PS: I'll let you know how the POF bags work when I get them....
Update: I tried both types of bags and the PVC bags are way better. I've now had mine on for 5 months and is just now ready to be replaced. The PVC bags are very durable.

 

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[bootybay]

Now thats one awesome idea...great job there.

 

[gleaner1]

Most intriguing..... Another good idea, very similar to the cuffer idea. I want both. The shrink wrap is off the hook.

 

[Charles (Sabre)(Tx)]

Nice idea...and at a minimal cost.

 

[khouse]

I still have the same bag on it from these pictures 1.75 months ago. It's went through several hunts and still looks good.

 

[Produce Guy]

www.uline.com has an on line catalog with these bags in there.

 

[freddy williams]

okey everybody food for thought here, Yeh it is an awsome idea but the vent holes in the back are there for a reason. just my opinion I don't want anyone ruining a 300 to 3000 dollar machine cause they covered the vent on there detector. Now I maybe wrong who knows

 

[khouse]

Those are not vent holes they are speaker holes. The speaker itself is sealed to the housing too. There is no vent holes on the machine. There are no vent holes on the waterproof 3030 either. None are needed. If anyone is concerned they can simply poke some holes in the cover. But the bottom isn't sealed up anyway and I see no need to vent anything.

 

[Ism]

Khouse, very good idea so I tried it with the POF bags

The bags are so thin that when they are shrunk, ruptures appear in the skin. I have done 8 bags so far and have the same results. BTW, I am very careful not to overheat as I thought thats what I did on the first bag. After it cools its very tough and flexible but the ruptures in the skin have been in bad locations so the end results have been unusable. I finally got one to shrink without tears but it has wrinkles in the face so it doesn't look as nice as your job. Based on the difficulty of the thin POF bags I ordered, I wouldn't recommend them. Pic-1 shows the wrinkles, Pic-2 shows a small rupture that occurs when the bag is stretching taut.

My question to Khouse: Do the PVC bags have the same problem? I will order PVC if I can expect the same results as you have shown in your post.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I highly recommend vent holes or condensation could become a problem on any detector that isnt waterproof...

 

[khouse]

Khouse, very good idea so I tried it with the POF bags

The bags are so thin that when they are shrunk, ruptures appear in the skin. I have done 8 bags so far and have the same results. BTW, I am very careful not to overheat as I thought thats what I did on the first bag. After it cools its very tough and flexible but the ruptures in the skin have been in bad locations so the end results have been unusable. I finally got one to shrink without tears but it has wrinkles in the face so it doesn't look as nice as your job. Based on the difficulty of the thin POF bags I ordered, I wouldn't recommend them. Pic-1 shows the wrinkles, Pic-2 shows a small rupture that occurs when the bag is stretching taut.

My question to Khouse: Do the PVC bags have the same problem? I will order PVC if I can expect the same results as you have shown in your post.

I should have posted back about the bags. The POF bags suck. But the PVC bags rock! I've had my PVC bag on for 5 months. I'm about ready to change it out. It is very durable and stays clear. I'll make a video on the removal and installation of the bags.

 

[khouse]

I highly recommend vent holes or condensation could become a problem on any detector that isnt waterproof...

I have had no issues with condensation after 5 months. The bottom of the bags are not sealed so there is some circulation. But there is nothing keeping you from punching vent holes if you feel the need?

 

[Lownslow]

I have an older Minelab Explorer XP I use most of the time and I'm sure this idea would work great on it, but I also have an Ace 350 for a back up. just wondering how that might work? The box on the Ace is not a flat screen like the Minelab, plus I guess I would have to take the shrink wrap off to change the batteries. I also Have a Fisher Gold Bug That has Knobs plus the batteries are on the back side of it. That would mean taking the knobs off to put the shrink wrap on, then puting them back on afterward. I guesss I could cut along the door for the battery compartment to make it work. any ideas or suggestions?

 

[Lownslow]

Sorry I said I have an Explorer XP It's an Explorer XS.

 

[Sovereignelite]

This is really an smart and cost effective way to protect your detector! I would have tried it except I just ordered a protector for my Etrac...

 

[khouse]

Because of the way the Ace buttons are and the know on your GB - I don't think it would work very well.

Also - I had several covers for my etrac trying to find one without glare. Some were better than others. But with the shrink wrap there is no glare. The screen is easy to see.

 

[Ism]

Khouse, I have been using the PVC on my Deus. While its not perfect, its better than the adhesive backed control cover sent with the unit.
Its great for keeping the dirt out of the control box and off the face of it. A 200 gauge bag would be ideal but all I found were the 100 ga.
Thanks for the great post!

 

[khouse]

I've had the same bag on my etrac since I started this thread. I got a tear on the back which I repaired with clear tape. This thing is great. I'm going to make a video on the removal and installation of the bag soon. Glad it's working out for your Deus

 

[Sovereignelite]

So what specifically does one have to look for to order these PVC bags, just looking for some specifics because I thought I might try this at some point.

I've had the same bag on my etrac since I started this thread. I got a tear on the back which I repaired with clear tape. This thing is great. I'm going to make a video on the removal and installation of the bag soon. Glad it's working out for your Deus

 

[khouse]

So what specifically does one have to look for to order these PVC bags, just looking for some specifics because I thought I might try this at some point.

I found them on ebay. Look for pvc heat shrink 8x12 bags. Once you get the bags you'll need to cut it off to about 7 inches to fit an etrac. If you have another type machine simply make a paper bag that will slip over your machine. Then find the pvc bag that will work.
I've had mine on for almost a year. It tore a time or two but clear tape fixed it right up. I have another 49 bags in my inventory when I go to change it out. They last a long time.
50 8"x12" PVC Shrink Wrap Bags Sale | eBay