DIY PERSONALIZE YOUR SIDEKICK 3 for Less Than 20 Dollars !!

Colorwarepc.com offers personalization for many products (including the sidekick 3).But if you looking for a cheaper alternative instead of paying $100.00 and waiting 8-10 days then this is it. This is also good if you want to know how to completely disassemble your sidekick.

This is my first instructable. So many pardons in advance if I wasn't detailed enough,

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies.

I already had all these supplies, so this project costed me nothing.

Here's a list of all you need to get started:

1. a sidekick 3 (duh...)

2. a razor blade or exacto knife

3. some sandpaper
the finer the grit - the less scatches it will leave but the more time it will take
the heavier the grit - the more scratches it will leave but the less time it will take
(you can expiriment with different kinds)

4. Spray paint (gloss paint optional)

5. the finest size flathead and phillips screwdriver. Mine in the picture has both.

6. masking tape (any size will do)

7. Latex gloves (optional)

8. Some patience.

Step 2: Take It Off...take It ALL Off!!

This is the easiest step you will ever have to do for this.
Simply remove the battery cover, memory card and sim card and place aside.

Since I've never done an instrucable before and I already painted my sidekick red, I'll try to explain a best I can.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS WILL SURELY VOID YOUR WARRANTY AND COULD POSSIBLE DAMAGE OR BRAKE YOUR PHONE. DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED

p.s. the silverish color in the pic on the back of the device was a differrent type of paint. Somthing metallic (with a brush) and didn't have as nice of a finish as everything else so i scratched most of it off.

Step 3: Start Unscrewing Stuff.

These screws reqire a tiny hex screwdriver or alankey (though the alan key didn't help much it still works)

I didn't have any of that so I used the tiniest flathead screwdriver I could find and it worked like a charm.

After both screws are removed, the screen should be very easy to take off.The metal peice on the back of the screen might spring out a little. That's normal.

I used the back battery cover to hold all the screws.
whatever works for you I guess...

Step 4: Seperate the Screen From the Cover.

First, you will need to remove the screws in each corner in order to take the front part of the screen off. I used a tiny phillips tip screwdriver.

Next, you will need to pry off the front plate. I used the flathead to get in the groove between the parts. Then carefully snap out enitire front part.Be careful when removing the face plate peices as they are delicate and can brake easily.

Finally, Seperate the black finish from the silver finish be either prying on the side or pressing it out from the inside part of the cover. This part is attached with glue so it might require little force to get it off.

Also, There is a small magnet on the inside of the screen which the screen in a closed position. be carreful not to lose that peice or it will result in your screen not staying closed properly.

Step 5: Removing the QWERTY

The side clips come off by prying an edge and then gently pulling on it. They shoud unsnap and be left with the Qwerty shell.
When finished unsnapping , the QWERTY shell must first be unscrewed in all four corners. So you know what to look for, all of the screws are hex screws.
After those are taken off, start by pulling up the side with the directional pad (or as gamers mayknow it: the d-pad).
The D-pad should instantly fall out of place one the shell is lifted up some.
After the D-pad has fallen out, care lift up from the left side and work your way to the right. Some parts have to snap out of place. I cant stress enough to BE CAREFUL with the side buttons (power, volume, camera click, etc) because they should still be attached to the QWERTY. If they are hanging off, thats fine. but they should still be attached.

Step 6: Rip It's Guts Out....with a Screwdriver.

My guess is there are more screws to take out then the ons I displayed in my post. It looks like there should be more, but you'll know as soon as you remove the four ones shown circled.
If those are all thats needed to take off the circuit board should be able to lift off with the least effort possible.

After the board is removed there is a small black piece (the same side as the left as the D-side) that should come out with just as much ease. It's not held down by any screws.

Step 7: Sand & Paint

Now you should be left with the plastic shells from both ends now.
First, you'll want to place masking tape on the parts you obviously don't want painted.
The small end of the battery cover and back shell are attached as one piece so it's best to cover the small battery cover end with tape. If you can't the shape with the tape the way you want, use the razor to trace out the parts of tape you want to cut off nice and evenly. make sure to cover you camera lens and flash with tape as well.
Now tear off a small piece of sand paper and sanding down the parts you to paint until the gloss finish is removed and you're left with a matte like finish. Make sure to leave no shiny spots lefts or they will show when painted.

As I mentioned earlier. Different grit types leave different results.
Something finer will leave less scratch marks and a smoother matte finish but take much more time.
A heavier grit will take much less time but wont treat your product as delicately. Scratch marks will surely show though.
If you're not sure which # grit to get, ask someone in your local store for help and let them know what your sanding and they should be able to help you. If there's no clerk to help. pick up more than one and expiriment with different ones and see which one you work with best.
After you sanding is done wipe the debris off with a dry or damp cloth. Once dry, You're ready to paint.

First place your shell on any area you don't care about excess paint on or spread some newspaper out. Then in one motion, spray from one end to the other if you wish spray once more across. Don't keep the spray too close either or it might leave drip marks. Then wait a few minutes to dry . If a second coat of paint looks needed thats fine but you should need to do a third coat. 2 should be enough.
Once your coats of paint are dry , you can put a coat or two of gloss on the same way. One coat is usually enough.
When gloss dries, the phone can be reassembled using these steps reversed.

If you some have trouble putting the D-pad back in, try lifting that side of QWERTY shell up and placing the in from the top. Make sure the two pointier tips of the D-pad are facing the QWERTY, then screw in the hex screws.
As for the LCD screen faceplate, be sure to attach the black cover part to the newly painted part before reassembling the screen. Otherwise, you'll have a hard time getting it back in right. Also , you might have to adjust swivel when placing it back it place.Every other part can be reassembled using the steps again.