Drywall dust vs DLP... how much risk?

[miamicanes]

Up until about 4 days ago, I had my DLP TV on the "clean" side of a floor-to-ceiling plastic sheet, but noticed more drywall dust than I felt comfortable with collecting on the case, so I completely covered it with a plastic sheet taped down to the floor (not airtight, though). Last night, I noticed that the sheet has become absolutely FILTHY, and I haven't even taped & sanded the new drywall yet. I'm starting to get worried that the dust might get into the TV (or already HAS) and dirty/damage the mirror(s), or worse, the DMD array.

Are things like the DMD array encased in airtight glass, or CAN they be permanently damaged by fine dust? Likewise, are mirror/screen surfaces that get dusty something I can clean myself (with minimal risk of causing PERMANENT damage while doing it)? Or alternatively, is paying someone to come over and clean it/them cheap (like, under a hundred bucks or so)?

 

[wuench]

Up until about 4 days ago, I had my DLP TV on the "clean" side of a floor-to-ceiling plastic sheet, but noticed more drywall dust than I felt comfortable with collecting on the case, so I completely covered it with a plastic sheet taped down to the floor (not airtight, though). Last night, I noticed that the sheet has become absolutely FILTHY, and I haven't even taped & sanded the new drywall yet. I'm starting to get worried that the dust might get into the TV (or already HAS) and dirty/damage the mirror(s), or worse, the DMD array.

Are things like the DMD array encased in airtight glass, or CAN they be permanently damaged by fine dust? Likewise, are mirror/screen surfaces that get dusty something I can clean myself (with minimal risk of causing PERMANENT damage while doing it)? Or alternatively, is paying someone to come over and clean it/them cheap (like, under a hundred bucks or so)?

I don't know about DLP, but I lost a DVD player/recorder this way. It was in a closed cabinet, I used a vacuum attachment while sanding the drywall, and it still failed. I would completely wrap, box up, or move all electronics as far away as possible, use vacuum attachments and a filtered bag in your dust vac. Do as much as you can to minimize the dust getting in.

BTW, the drywall dust also set off my natural gas detector later that night.

 

[sic0048]

Drywall dust will win everytime (vs just about anything too). I would definitely try to completely remove the TV from the room, if not even the house while this goes on. This advice works for pretty much any electronic device.

 

[mdesmarais]

The DLP array is completely sealed- you won't get dust on the little tiny mirrors.

HOWEVER, the TV is not, and it would be a major PITA to clean the rest of the optical path. Wrapping it up should be ok- the dust does follow the basic laws of physics. (ie, it won't rise up under the plastic wrap and infiltrate the TV) You probably don't want to be running the TV in a dusty environment though- wait until it is all cleaned up before striking that bulb.

Markd

 

[123]

Drywall dust makes talc powder seem like gravel ... just amazing where this stuff will sneak in.

When sanding plaster, I use a vacuum sander (something like this but another brand). Basically, it's an open-weave abrasive sheet on a porous sanding block attached to a shop-vac equipped with a special collector bag for drywall dust. It does a very good job of collecting most drywall dust.

I had to open up a wall in my master bedroom to install a cabling conduit. I closed it up and did an extra careful job of plastering (many skim coats and lots of fine-grit sanding) to ensure there'd be no evidence of the "wall-surgery". All of the sanding was done without covering any of the furniture, bedding etc with plastic sheeting and there was no mess.

In close quarters, I'll use a sanding sponge and put the vac nozzle under the sanded area to catch the falling drywall dust.

 

[opie]

In the earlier stages of smoothing out your seams try using a large wet sponge; no dust at all. It takes a little practice but really minimizes the sanding required in the end.