Predicta Holiday Screen Warpage

[rickfray]

After I removed my 21" Predicta Holiday protective screen to clean it, I noticed I now can't get the tabs to match back up properly on the lower right side (facing the CRT). It appears to be warped somewhat. So the metal strap doesn't grab both tabs on about 4 ot 5 places and the brass strip that is supposed to cover the seams and metal strap doesn't cover the seam on the right side. Is this common and is there a way to maybe gently heat the screen with a heat gun, put some weight on it, then let it cool down to "stretch/press" it out a little. The cleaning & polishing really helped the clarity so I don't want to damage the screen if heating it fogs it up permanently or something like that. Any experience/solutions to this problem? Thanks

Rick

[decojoe67]

Originally Posted by rickfray

After I removed my 21" Predicta Holiday protective screen to clean it, I noticed I now can't get the tabs to match back up properly on the lower right side (facing the CRT). It appears to be warped somewhat. So the metal strap doesn't grab both tabs on about 4 ot 5 places and the brass strip that is supposed to cover the seams and metal strap doesn't cover the seam on the right side. Is this common and is there a way to maybe gently heat the screen with a heat gun, put some weight on it, then let it cool down to "stretch/press" it out a little. The cleaning & polishing really helped the clarity so I don't want to damage the screen if heating it fogs it up permanently or something like that. Any experience/solutions to this problem? Thanks

Rick

I had a Holiday model once and remember the screen not fitting in the holding strap perfectly too. If it looks okay after the decorative strap is put on I, personally, would leave it alone. The platic is an unusual one that I wouldn't fool with too much. You may fog, distort, or craze it. One thing I learned (the hard way) after 30 years of collecting TV's and radios - if it looks/works okay, leave it alone!

[bandersen]

My holiday screen is a mess too and I just did the best I could to make it fit. I believe the plastic they used for the front shrinks, warps, whatever over time, while the back is made of a more stable plastic.

[Eric H]

Mine is the same way, make it fit best as possible and don't attempt to heat it, it will wind up cracking.
The slots in the steel band are a very snug fit and it can be hard to get both halves into the slots, it can help to file a slight bevel on the edge of the tabs to assist them sliding in.

[Dangler]

Same here. I eventually got the tabs to mostly fit.