Am I the only one that encloses remotes in plastic?!

[Ham Radio Nut]

Since I can remember, i've always wrapped my remote controls in protective plastic, so I can keep them looking new (fingerprint-free) and in mint condition. Taking that further, I also USE TISSUES and Q-TIP SWABS to use my 'better' high-end gear and my Ham Radio equipment!!! My rationale is that I want the equipment to last and look mint for as long as I keep the gear. I hate seeing fingerprints on quality equipment. So all my electronic equipment, even old gear, looks like the day I took them out of the box. My friends and family tell me i'm nuts, but i'm 'normal' in all other respects (I don't compulsively wash my hands or doorknobs, etc.)!

This kind of reminds me of people whose living room couches are covered in PLASTIC back in the 60's and 70's!!!

Anyone else out there like me???

 

[Duggeh]

No. Signs of use show use, i take care not to damage equipment but i dont treat it with kid gloves. Especially something as cheap and built for and designed to resist abuse as a remote control.

 

[uraflit]

you my friend are what i refer to as an "asian techie dad" =P

they keep all their toys in perfect condition.

and to answer your question, no, you are not alone. i know plenty of people that enclose stuff in plastic wrap... but i dunno about that using tissues/q-tips to turn on equipment though

O_O

 

[ken36]

My wife encloses this keyboard in Saran Wrap.

 

[Davesrose]

First time I've heard of a person using plastic wrap on remotes. I'm not anal in regards to electronics, though I do like to keep them in good condition. I've noticed the only electronics that get "oily" from my fingers are my laptops. But I'm using more wipes. With my gear, I find I have to dust so that eliminates any fingerprints on there too.

The only gadget I have that will show signs of wear is my dSLR. Canon made a really indestructible camera body on my 5D, but for some reason they wanted everything black. Including the aluminum hot shoe bracket. It's just painted black, and sees continual contact with other metal parts. So even if you're super cautious, the paint is going to flake off. Maybe I should try stripping it....it would be a pain to try to keep on painting it black

Anyway, that's my only caveat.

 

[darkninja67]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davesrose /img/forum/go_quote.gif It's just painted black, and sees continual contact with other metal parts. S

I used a black Sharpie to keep my contacts black when I had my dSLRs.

 

[mbriant]

As someone who likes to keep my vacuum cleaner in mint condition

, my many remotes tend to get quite dusty and grimey. (You should take a look at your remote under a 10 -20 X microscope some time) Wrapping them in saran wrap sounds like a good idea. I might try that.

 

[Davesrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkninja67 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I used a black Sharpie to keep my contacts black when I had my dSLRs.

Thanks for the tip...I'll try it!!

Though I still might just strip that hot shoe: if you're really anal, I'm sure that uneven surface from painting over spots would get to you

 

[redshifter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ham Radio Nut /img/forum/go_quote.gif Since I can remember, i've always wrapped my remote controls in protective plastic, so I can keep them looking new (fingerprint-free) and in mint condition. Taking that further, I also USE TISSUES and Q-TIP SWABS to use my 'better' high-end gear and my Ham Radio equipment!!! My rationale is that I want the equipment to last and look mint for as long as I keep the gear. I hate seeing fingerprints on quality equipment. So all my electronic equipment, even old gear, looks like the day I took them out of the box. My friends and family tell me i'm nuts, but i'm 'normal' in all other respects (I don't compulsively wash my hands or doorknobs, etc.)! This kind of reminds me of people whose living room couches are covered in PLASTIC back in the 60's and 70's!!! Anyone else out there like me???

Ah, viral marketting. Having a big sale soon?

 

[Fallingwater]

Not owning a television, the only remote I use is the one for the air conditioner. Not being exactly an intensive use, I left it as it is.

As for other equipment, I normally don'protect it. Call me weird, but I like it if I use a gadget so much it collects dents and scratches (but I do protect the screens, obviously). My cell phone's paint is flaking off due to it being in the same pocket as my keys, just to name an example.

I only protect stuff if I know I'll want to sell it one day, but since that practically never happens I usually don't bother.

 

[warpdriver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davesrose /img/forum/go_quote.gif First time I've heard of a person using plastic wrap on remotes.

I guess you don't know many Asian people? It seems to be more common among people of Asian background. I know of people who do also wrap their remotes.

To those that are actually do this, be careful that the oils from the plastic wrap don't leech out into the remote. The plastic wrap degrades over time (especially from heat in your hands). The remote wasn't so new looking after a few years due to the wrap. So be sure to change your wrap occasionally with a fresh sheet

 

[uofmtiger]

Nope. I keep them naked and unprotected all of the time.

 

[Samgotit]

I have much better things to do with my time. I just have to figure out what they are.

 

[Davesrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by warpdriver /img/forum/go_quote.gif I guess you don't know many Asian people? It seems to be more common among people of Asian background. I know of people who do also wrap their remotes.

I have Chinese and Korean friends....they like cleanliness, but no one I know has shrink wrapped gadgets

If we're going to typecast, is it Japanese or Taiwanese Asians that wrap??

 

[Patu]

You want them to look as new but don't they look stupid when they're wrapped in plastic. I think they do.