Introduction: Privacy Monitor Hacked From an Old LCD Monitor
Finally you can do something with that old LCD monitor you have in the garage.
You can turn it into a privacy monitor! It looks all white to everybody except you, because you are wearing "magic" glasses!
All you really have tohave is a pair of old glasses, x-acto knife or a box cutter and some solvent (paint thinner)
Here is what I used:
an LCD monitor of course
single use 3D glasses from the movie theater (old sunglasses are just fine)
paint thinner (or some other solvent such as toluene, turpentine, acetone, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate etc)
box cutter (and CNC laser cutter :) but that you don't really need, I'm sure x-acto knife and a steady hand would do just fine)
screwdriver or a drill
paper towels
superglue
Step 1: Take the Monitor Apart
Find an old monitor that you are willing to sacrifice.
Take off the plastic frame by unscrewing all screws from the back.
Step 2: Cut the Polarized Film
Most LCD monitors have two films on the glass - a polarized one to filter out the light you are not supposed to see, and a frosted anti-glare film. The anti-glare film we don't need, the polarized one we do - it is used for the glasses.
So, grab you cutting tool and cut the films along the edge. Don't be afraid to press, metal wont scratch the glass, unless there is sand or other abrasives on it.
Then, start peeling. Make sure to save the polarized film, also remember the orientation.
Step 3: Clean the Film Adhesive
After you remove the film, the glue will likely remain stuck to the glass, so here comes the messy part.
With some solvent, soften the glue and wipe it off with paper towels.
I started with OOPS, but that was not fast enough so I got some paint thinner.
I found out that if you cover the screen with paper towels and then soak them in paint thinner you can let it sit longer and dissolve the adhesive without running and evaporating.
Scrape off the soft glue with a piece of plastic or wood.
Be careful not to get paint thinner on the plastic frame, because it will dissolve it.
Step 4: Monitor - Done
After cleaning the adhesive, assemble everything back the way it was. Before even making the glasses, you can test the monitor with the polarized film!
Notice how the upper left corner looks clear, because it has the anti-glare film removed. That is the part we are going to use to make the glasses.
Step 5: Pop the Lenses Out
For the glasses, I used single use 3D glasses from the movie theater, but you can use whatever you want.
Pop out the lenses or take the glasses apart if you can.
Step 6: Scan, Trace, Cut
If you are going to use a cnc blade or laser cutter, scan and trace the parts.
You can find a local vinyl or laser cutting service, or you could send them to an online service like Outfab.com
I scanned the frames so I can use them as a reference for the lens orientation.
Remember, this is a polarized film so the angle is critical. Back and front also matters.
If you don't have access to a cnc cutter or you don't want to wait for an online service, you can probably tape the old lenses on the film and then cut them out with an x-acto knife.
Step 7: Reassemble Glasses and Enjoy!
Finally assemble the glasses and you are ready for some fun!
People might think you are crazy, staring at a blank white screen wearing sunglasses!
But I guess that makes it even more fun!

Grand Prize in the
Hack It! Challenge
465 Comments
5 years ago
I've removed the film from the monitor and cleaned all the glue. Now, when I look through the film from a distance, the image on the screen is vey blurred and I cannot tell what it is. Only when I put the film directly (closely) on the monitor it looks properly. Am I doing something wrong? I'm still waiting for the glasses but I'm concerned it won't work with them as it doesn't work now.
Reply 5 years ago
Hi! Could you finally solved the issue about the fuzziness witht the screen and the film? I have the same problem
Reply 5 years ago
There are two layers on that film: the anti glare and the polarized layer. They need to be separated (although I can't figure out how).
Reply 5 months ago
Did you manage to solve it?
Reply 4 months ago
I did! Apparently the rest of the panel is much more durable than I thought, so I was able to get a razor blade in around the edges just enough to pry it free. After doing that I was able to peel the film away because it was a stiff panel unlike a thin plastic membrane like I thought it would be
7 months ago
You can make a different static image appear without glasses. Use a polarized film turned degrees apart with a layer in-between that you print out a static image on a layer already polarized. Layer with fake image polarized so light from backlight on the screen is degrees apart when viewed though glasses but inphase with polarity from backlight. Maybe gotta align backlight on the monitor to have same angle against the fakeimagefilm
6 years ago
Can I do the same for my Micromax smartphone touch screen? Plz reply
Reply 4 years ago
Yes (in theory) yes you can but you need to separate your digitizer and lcd either without breaking or order a separate lcd and glass
Question 5 years ago on Step 7
Hello, I'm having some trouble separating the anti glare layer from the polarized layer. Do you have any suggestions?
Thank you in advance!
Question 5 years ago
So I have an HP Chromebook 11 G4, would this work on it? I'm getting tired of people looking over my shoulder to see what I'm working on...
5 years ago
Is there a way to make this screen look like it's off (ie black screen) to non-glasses wearers? A bright glaring white screen is a bit off-putting to onlookers,
7 years ago
I think this needs 1 more hack to be really useful.
We need to figure out a way to feature an image on the white screen that gets filtered out by the glasses.
For instance, if instead of a white screen, anybody without glasses who walked into your office would see a spreadsheet, but with the glasses you wouldn't see the spreadsheet.
Too complex, or is it a possibility?
Reply 7 years ago
Print a full screenshot of the spreadsheet and taskbar onto a piece of thin, clear plastic. Convince people you can only see well with black and white, so you can make it a real high contrast print. But make sure any lines are thin. Apply this to the LCD, taking care to remove bubbles. Tehn jsut get uesd to seneig waht it looks lkie knid of srecwed up. The brain is amazing at adapting, and there is a good chance you read the last sentence naturally. Look again ^^.
Reply 7 years ago
XD do you read Cambridge research? If you raed any setcnene with the lteetrs gnoe arwy, tehn you can sltil raed it if the frist and lsat ltteres are in the smae palce as bofere.
Reply 7 years ago
Nveer raed Cabmidrge Rseaerch brefoe, but I saw tihs smoehwree and hvae uesd it to dmeontrstae my piont a few tmies.
Reply 7 years ago
Yea, it is pterty good at gtnietg a pnoit arcsos
Reply 6 years ago
Good at getting a 'Pinot' across...?/
Good-Oh! :D
Reply 6 years ago
Are you guys takling 'buot wine?
Reply 7 years ago
I know that but you cant read this:
sw y cy pe on ts we.
Reply 7 years ago
Full words please. Then I will translate it.