How To Waterproof A TV For Outdoors? [Procedure and Cost]

All electronic items should be well protected. And when it comes to setting up a TV outdoors, the concern increases more so. Water might get in through its ventilation system, and can cause internal damage to its components.

Needless to mention, water and electricity make a good recipe for an electric shock. Additionally, bad weather, direct sunlight, and dust can affect the visuals of your TV over time. The TV might stop working altogether. Therefore, to check all these issues you will need a waterproof system to guard it.

Outdoor TV sets are waterproof and weatherproof. But they come at hefty prices. Moreover, they compromise with the picture quality.

However, for enjoying TV outdoors one doesn’t necessarily have to buy outdoor TV. It is more reasonable to waterproof your normal TV set and prolong its life. This article here discusses how you can do the same.

How To Waterproof A TV For Outdoors?

Cases and covers are the best bet when it comes to waterproofing TV. Nevertheless, while waterproofing, care should be taken as to not block the ventilation system of your TV.

Below are 2 effective ways to waterproof a TV for outdoors:

Using TV Shield
Using Heavy-duty fabric TV Cover

1. How to Waterproof A TV For Outdoors Using TV Shield?

TVShield is one of the best TV enclosures for making a TV waterproof for an outdoor setting. It comes with a clear polycarbonate plastic as the front panel, and the backside is made of HMWPE (high molecular weight polyethylene).

Made of high-quality plastic, the cabinet is totally waterproof. It protects against humidity, condensation, water splashes, rain and more.
The front shield is shatterproof which means it won’t crack and there is no risk of water getting inside.
Moreover, the TV Shield is provided with self-sealing ventilation tubes for accommodating the TV wiring.
You don’t necessarily have to uncover the front panel for a seamless TV experience.

Required Items

Procedure [Step by Step]

1. Prepare the TV Shield

Remove the black knurled caps which are fixed on the front panel.
Open up the front panel and take out the box containing foam blocks, brackets, prop arms, fan filter, vent caps, screws, washers, nuts, spacers, and a small bag having keys, knurled caps, round handle, and a screw.
Remove the two grommets provided at the bottom side of the enclosure.
Using a knife make horizontal and vertical cuts in the center of both of them. One of the cuts should be opened so that later you can fix wire into it.

2. Drill holes in the TV Shield enclosure

Place the four foam blocks on a flat surface and space them out so that your TV can rest facedown on them.
Out of the various sized studs (screws) provided, choose the type which fits perfectly into the mounting holes on the back of your TV.
Using a measuring tape, find the center horizontal and center vertical line of the back of the TV. Mark the starting and ending points of the lines using a pencil.
Use a paper as a template and place it on the back of your TV. Secure it using tape and draw on it the horizontal and vertical lines.
Take the pencil and punch the holes in the paper by tracing the mounting holes of the TV.
Remove the tape and transfer the template to the back of the TV Shield enclosure. Make sure you place it correctly at the center of the enclosure. The edges of the paper template and the enclosure should align.
Choosing an appropriate drill bit size, drill holes through the punched holes of the paper template.

3. Place the TV Shield enclosure on the TV

Insert the studs into the mounting holes of the TV. Then put a lock washer and a nut on each stud.
Plug all the cables that you’ll need, into the TV.
Place the TV Shield enclosure on top of the TV by aligning the studs on the TV and drill holes in the enclosure.
Pull the plugged cords through the bottom side holes of the enclosure. Install the grommets on the holes and around the cords.
Next, put the metal bonded washers on each of the studs.

4. Install the brackets on the enclosure

Place the vertical bracket on the two studs. Secure each stud using a metal-bonded washer, lock washer, and a nut.
Similarly, put the other vertical bracket and the two remaining horizontal brackets.
Tighten all the screws using a wrench.

5. Install the front panel

Take one of the two prop arms and insert them into the prop arm support (situated on the inner side of the enclosure), and through the last hole on the polycarbonate front panel.
Do the same with the other prop arm.
To close the front panel, clip the prop arms using prop arm clips provided on the inner side of the enclosure.
Peel off the protective paper from both sides of the panel.
Take the flat head screw provided in the small bag and push it through the hole in the bottom center of the panel.
Fix the round handle (knob) on the screw.
If your TV Shield has a fan system, place the fan filter on the bottom of the enclosure.
Place the black knurled caps that were removed in step1.

6. Mount the TV on the wall

Hold the wall panel of the mount up against the wall where you want to mount your TV.
Using a drill machine, drill the mounting screws through the holes in the wall panel.
With the help of screws, attach the TV panel of the mount to the brackets of the enclosure. Pay attention to the instruction manual of whatever mount you are using.
Adjust the level and positioning of your TV and tighten the screws.

Precautions and aftercare

When putting the TV facedown on foam blocks, only the TV frame should rest on the blocks and not the screen.
In case the back of your TV isn’t flat, you can put one more nut and a washer on each stud, slightly above the level of the raised surface. This will make sure the base is perfectly leveled for brackets to be fixed.
Your TV size should be within the prescribed range of the TV Shield.
The screws shouldn’t be too tight or too loose.
The front panel can be cleaned using lukewarm water, mild detergent, and a soft sponge.

Time

It might take 1-2 hours to enclose the TV in the TV Shield and mount it on the wall.

Cost

The price of TV Shield depends on the type of enclosure chosen. The basic clear panel TV Shield (with screws, nuts, spacers, washers, keys, grommets, etc.) costs around $400. Further, if you buy the enclosure with add-on accessories like fan, cleaner, mount etc., the price will increase accordingly.

The cost of required materials:

TV Shield: $400
Mount: $40
Screw driver: $10
Measuring tape: $10
Utility knife: $10
Wrench: $15
Drill and drill bits: $125
Chart paper: $20

Total estimated cost: $630

2. Use Heavy-Duty Waterproof Fabric TV Cover to Waterproof A TV For Outdoor

Usually, the waterproofness of a fabric is measured in Denier (D). Most waterproof TV covers range from 300-600D.

The heavy-duty waterproof fabric TV cover is made of 600 denier fabric which means it is around ten times more waterproof than a standard hard-core waterproof jacket. Moreover, this fabric is lined with vinyl for extra protection against water.

Velcro enclosures make sure that no water or dust gets inside the fabric. And also, this cover features a waterproof back pocket which is meant to keep the TV remote safe against water.

Required Items

Procedure [Step by Step]

1. Select the right TV cover size

Make sure the TV is mounted well or fixed to any bottom stand.
Take measurements of the height, width, and depth of your TV using a measuring tape.
Refer to the chart provided by the brand and choose the cover size accordingly.

2. Cover the TV

Take the rightly sized TV cover. Open it’s bottom velcro enclosure and back flap. Also, open other back enclosures meant for the brackets of the mount.
In case you’re using a stand instead of a wall mount, you don’t have to open the back flap.
Slip the cover onto the outdoor mounted TV.
Make sure the bracket system of the mount is seamlessly accommodated by the cover to whatever extent it can.
Wires and cords should be enclosed inside of the cover to protect them as well.
Close the velcro enclosures on the bottom and the back.

Precautions and aftercare

The fabric should never be washed in a washing machine. Use plain water to clean the cover whenever the cover is moderately dirty.
When needed, rigorous washing can be done using water, soap, and a sponge.
Dry the cover thoroughly before putting it to use.
Avoid placing the TV under direct sunlight to increase the longevity of your TV.

Time

Installing Garnetics TV cover is a very quick process and only takes a few minutes.

Cost

The approximate cost of materials:

Garnetics Fabric TV cover: $20-$65 (depending on cover size)
Measuring tape: $10

Final Words:

Regular indoor TVs are not fit to use outdoors since the water exposure can make the hardware faulty. However, this doesn’t mean that buying outdoor TV is the last resort. You can choose any of the two methods described in the article, as per your needs and convenience.

TV Shield is the most trusted option. This is due to its high quality, ease of use, and lots of amazing features like anti-glare, touchscreen, prop arm panel, depending on the style chosen. Made of HMPWE plastic it perfectly waterproofs the TV and also works well against humidity and condensation. The front polycarbonate panel is waterproof and scratchproof.
Garnetics TV cover is a much cheaper alternative than TV Shield. It is built to last a few years and comes with 600D protection against water. Its PVC-coated heavy-duty fabric is perfect to withstand rain and such other water ordeals.