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Make a black iPhone/iPod headset

I like the stock iPhone headset. They sound okay as headphones, their mic is pretty good, and setup is much easier than with a Bluetooth headset. Plus they’re pretty cheap at $29. I also liked the stock iPod headphones, for similar reasons. I’m clumsy with headphones and tend to break or lose them. But these stock headsets stand out. The white headphone cables has become part of the Apple marketing message that I’d rather not take part of. So all I want is a black version of the Apple headsets. Since no one sells that, guess I’ll have to make my own. After trying many different substances (PlastiDip, black shoe polish, vinyl dye, & regular MarksALot), the best solution appears to be Sharpie Magnums.

To make your own, just put painters’ tape over the delicate parts of the headphones, and then start painting the cable with the Sharpie Magnum.

Be sure to do it over a piece of scratch paper or other surface you don’t care about. Don’t try to do it all in one go: do a bit, let it dry, continue. Once you’re done, let it dry for a day or so. Then peel off the painters’ tape and enjoy.

Posted by todbot on Monday, September 8th, 2008 at 5:47 pm.

7 Responses to “Make a black iPhone/iPod headset”

Nice!
— Chris

Left by Chis on September 9th, 2008

I would suggest spraying on a couple layers of clear coat after you’re done drying the ink. Sharpie ink usually gets really dry after a while, loses it’s adhesion and flakes off. Since most people will be wearing this under their clothes there’s also a good chance of rubbing the ink of with zippers, hard-ish plastic parts or abrasive fabrics. The color will wear pretty quickly at least in some places. Then you’ll end up with a flaky ugly set of wires. A couple layers of clear coat (2-3 let dry between each) should at least make this a little more durable.

Maybe if you use sandpaper to roughen the surface and then put on some black metal paint and a single clear coat you should get a much sturdier result.

Left by r0ck on September 10th, 2008

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Left by Daily DIY Network - Science Projects Plans Guides » Blog Archive » Rebrand your iPod the old fashioned way on September 10th, 2008

Great idea, r0ck, about the clear coat.
I stayed away from normal paint and went for something more like dye (which is what the Sharpie ink appears to be doing in this case) because when I’ve tried to paint flexible objects in the past, the paint doesn’t flex as well and flakes off.

Left by todbot on September 10th, 2008

Sharpie marker will NOT “dry up and flake off” as a previous comment referred to. Actually, putting clear coat paint or shellac on them will result in running of the marker and stiffening of the cords and subsequent flaking of the clear coat.

Sharpie marker will fade and rub off and if it’s touching your skin it will rub off onto your neck, especially if you’re sweating.

Ghetto idea.

Left by Jimbo on September 10th, 2008

@Jimbo: Well if you put Sharpie ink on a flat surface like metal or plastics it WILL flake off over time. I have painted several things with Sharpies and it doesn’t work. If you let the ink dry thoroughly before applying the clear coat there is no running whatsoever and a “stiffening” of the chord is a relative expression. Some people might notice, some won’t.

Left by r0ck on September 11th, 2008

Who cares if it rubs off, it’ll make you more hardcore. I’d carry a Sharpie at all times for emergency touch-ups.

Left by aaaaaaaaa on October 7th, 2008

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