To quote:

I have been through this three times, and it has been a pain. So hopefully this tutorial/guide will help you out a bit. So what happens when your PS3’s BD fails? Well, obviously it won’t read discs, and if it does, it is usually for a short period of time, before it locks up. You are probably bummed out, but don’t worry, we will get it up running soon.

You always want to make sure it isn’t just the game! Try MULTIPLE discs that you have.

So first thing first, you want to backup ALL data, it is always a good idea.

Prep

Fortunately, sometimes you can fix this issue by doing a full restore of your PS3. Don’t ask me why, but this has worked for friends, and many others. Make sure you do the full 3 hour one, not the one that takes a few minutes. If that didn’t work, your issue is definitely hardware related.

Option 1

If you have a warranty, go ahead and send it to Sony, this is the best option as it is Free! But, chances are you don’t have a receipt, or it has been over a year. Keep in mind that you can still send it in for Sony for $150 if you are out of warranty.…and they will send you a refurbished unit w/ a 90 day warranty.

If you don’t want to send it to Sony, there are alternatives..
Anything beyond this point will void your warranty! (Chances are you are already out of it anyway )

Option 2
I would recommend you open your PS3 up and clean the lens a bit. Use a cue tip with a tad bit of rubbing alcohol.

If you don’t know what you are doing, or don’t want do mess anything up, then DON’T DO IT! I can’t stress this enough, if you aren’t good with these types of things, your best bet is to go with Sony’s $150 replacement.

Option 3
Now cleaning the lens didn’t work, you will need a new Blu-Ray Drive assembly. Here is a chart for what you need to buy. Just ebay/google the your KEM part #. You can find these parts for about $70-$80 shipped.

Option 4
Sell your PS3 as-is on ebay, collect your losses, and get a slim for $299.

So to summarize

1)Restore your PS3- (if that doesn’t work)
2)Send to Sony if you are in warranty ($0)
3)Clean your lens (if that doesn’t work)
4)Replace the part (if you don’t want to do that) ($70-$80)
5)Last Resort is Send it to Sony for $150.
6)If you have a Fat PS3, I would sell that As-Is and buy a slim.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

This is not limited to just xbox 360 controllers, so the same technique on PS3 controllers. But you’ll have to look up tutorials on how to take apart the PS3 controller. I do own a local/
USA business selling controllers/ painting yours so check out my youtube channel for new uploads. Lets get started.

What you”ll need:

• Que tips
• 800 grit sand paper
• Alcohol/Acohol pads
• Paint
• Duplicolor Adhesion Promoter
• T-8 Security
• Good Clear Coat
• 3M Masking Tape
• Gloves
• X-Acto Knife

Lets get started first opening the controller, follow these pictures:
Unscrew the following screws with the T-8 Security

Now after that take out the motherboard, rumble packs, and buttons.

Once you have everything separated and just have everything you want to get painted, it time to clean
*when you are deciding what to paint keep in mind color combinations*
you CAN paint the buttons, but I would recommend it since they can eventually peel off. The buttons such as ABXY I wouldn’t recommend painting. The start/select buttons are fine to paint since they are barely used along with the guide button. DO NOT attempt to paint the thumbsticks as they WILL stick! The D-Pad however is fine to paint and looks quite nice, the bumpers/triggers are fine to paint but you may have to sand the inner shell or go very lightly on paint.

How to clean: NOTE *WEAR YOUR POWDER FREE GLOVES*

1. Take the parts you are going to paint and wash them with warm water and dishwasher soap
2. Wait till they dry
3. Next, sand with the 800 grit sand paper just enough so the paint will stick
4. Then, take your alcohol wipes and clean thoroughly to take off all of the grease
5. Last, let dry and then wipe with microfiber cloth if you have one (I used an eye glass cloth)

Lets move onto the prep and paint.

Take your 3M painters tape and tape off the areas you do not want to get paint on. I usually tape off the button holes so I don’t have to sand the insides. I use a pen to wrap the tape around to put into the hole so it is much easier. The other spot I tape off is inside of where the battery pack is, this allows the batter pack to go in much easier, I also tape off the sticker so it looks more official.

Here is a video explaining the taping prep, this explains both cleaning and taping:

Once you are done taping, it is time to pick out your paint. For my first and beginner controller, I used the Krylon Fusion paints. I did a Red Tiger Design which I will show you later. The Krylon Fusion paints offer great duration and adhesion. You can buy any paint as long as you use Duplicolor Adhesion Promoter, this allows the paint to bond to the controller and therefore sticking longer. I will also teach you how to do designs later on. So basically you NEED to buy Duplicolor Adhesion Promoter for ANY paint you use including Krylon Fusion paints. For the clear coat, I used Krylon Fusion Clear for the Krylon Fusion paints. There is a great clear coat called Duplicolor Acrylic Lacquer Clear. I have not used this clear yet but its supposed to be great.

Applying the Duplicolor Adhesion Promoter:

This adhesion promoter is the best of the best. Like I said before you NEED this to paint.

1. Apply a very light first coat
2. Wait 2-3 Mins as said on the back of the can
3. Spray another light coat
4. Wait 2-3 Mins
5. Spray another coat, but a little “wetter” than the last making sure to cover everything
6. Lastly, cover your controller with first base coat of paint WITHIN 10 Mins

First color of paint: NOTE *Apply very light coats of paint*

1. Apply first coat WITHIN 10 mins of adhesion promoter
2. Wait specified amount of time that it says on back of can
3. Apply another coat of paint
4. Wait specified amount of time that it says on back of can
5. Apply another coat of paint slightly “wetter” than the last coats
6. Wait specified amount of time that it says on back of can

Usually, between coats wait 15 mins, that is what I used for krylon fusion paint.

Picture of the paint I used:

Allow 24 hours minimum between different colors of paint.

Okay, so here is where I explain how to do a pattern. The pattern I chose to do for my first controller was Red Tiger. This is a very common design to do and can be tricky. For any design, you want to either print a picture to trace onto your 3M tape, or free hand. I free handed because I realized that it was VERY hard to cut out the tiger stripe. Free handing allows you to create your own spin on things. The way you cut your tape is by using an X-Acto knife. You can get these on eBay for around 5 USD. After you chose your design/pattern, apply the design onto the controller. You want to press firmly and make sure everything is on the controller so you don’t get paint bleed.

You can either pass this step, or follow it for the second color: NOTE *LIGHT coats, I repeat LIGHT coats*

1. Apply a VERY LIGHT coat of paint
2. Wait about 15 mins or what it recommends on the back of the can
3. Apply another VERY LIGHT coat
4. Wait about 15 mins or whatever it recommends on the back of the can
5. Apply the third and final coat of the paint, going a little “wetter” than before
6. Wait 24 hours before touch

After 24 hours, you can take your tape off CAREFULLY. Hopefully there will be no paint bleed and look great!

For more advanced people, follow this:

Basically there is a more advanced way to paint controllers that have a better outcome. I use an airbrush now and its a great advantage to create more detail. Here is a picture of a controller shell I did with my airbrush, notice the logo on the battery pack and the right grip.

The paints I use is Createx and Auto Air brand. Here is a picture:

I bought my airbrush from Harbor Freight for around $20. The best airbrush to get is one with a dual-action trigger and a gravity feed. The one I bought from Harbor Freight was a dual-action but had a siphon feed which is from the bottom. This airbrush gets the job done and allows great detail.

How to Clear Coat and finish your custom controller:

1. Apply even strokes of the clear coat and go light for the first coat
2. Wait about 15 mins or what is recommended on the back of the can
3. Apply a slightly heavier coat with even stroked making sure to cover everything
4. Wait about 15 mins or what is recommended on the back of the can
5. Apply a heavier coat making sure to cover everything
6. Wait 24 hours to touch the controller and wait a few days to put it together to prevent chips

When done you should have a great controller! Here is mine:

To quote:

Some things you will need:

-Dremel or Drill (with 5/64″ or 1/8″ bit)
-Soldering iron (a cheap $15 will do fine if you know how to use it)
-Solder (some good stuff, flux paste would help a little but not mandatory)
-30 gauge solid core wire (kynar is great, but any solid core copper or silver is good enough.
-LEDS (I used what radioshack had,but feel free to use what you want. 0603  leds are the norm.
-Small #000 Philips Screwdriver
-Soft plastic pry tool (I used a keychain toys r us rewards card)
-Electrical tape may be needed, or a dab of hot glue if you like, I didnt use neither but I will tell you in guide where you could possibly benefit from it.

Be sure to study pics read the comments and watch entire video before begining this mod. This way you have a good understanding before you dive in.

Below is a picture of the leds I had to use because its what radioshack had, luckily for me it worked out very well. In the pic below is the led in its original form. I needed to do a little shaving to get it fitted. I used a file then some sandpaper to get the desired size and thickness for my application. Left is original, right is modified version.

Note:If you are using small 0603 style leds this process will be much easier, for you would only need to drill a hole in the trigger solder the wires to led then secure led in trigger with a little hot glue.
Reference picture from a psp mod using 0603 leds.

Now that I have got my leds sized down you can see I used the existing casting slot that is formed in the bottom of the trigger. I didnt need glue to secure my led, I filed it until it was a nice tight fit in slot. Im very confident its not going anywhere and I was pleased that I didnt need hot glue for this.

Note: Be sure to watch video for more detail on this, more steps needed to be taken for the light to pass through since I took the approach from the bottom of trigger.

Below is a brief video of the opening of the vita and a look the mod with some commentary on a few details of the direction I had to go.

Below is a picture of the power points used. Since I did sound reative I simply used the left and right speaker outputs, the pos. and neg. are marked below.
I also marked a constant 3.8v power point for anyone that might be interested in trying a micro-switch with leds that would allow you to turn them off and on when your in the mood.
Note: I am not responsible if you mess up your vita (nor ConsoleTuts), this is at your own risk, Im just simply helping anyone that might want this infomation. So if you try this mod or use this info for your own mod, you are on your own if you blow it up.

Finally before popping the vita back together we need to route the wires a little. If you look closely at the pic below the inside of back vita housing has a lot of structural cavities I guess you could say. I soldered my wires to the speakers in a way that could take advantage of this. Most of the “walls” have notchs cut out that will allow you to lay the wires in, this is where a little eletrical tape or a dab of hot glue might come in handy. It will allow you to secure the wires in a low profile way that will not interfere when you put the two halves back together. You dont want your case all jacked up or wires crimped so look at the configuration and route them to your advantage.

This is only a little mod but we will get into bigger mods as time goes on.

Part 2: