What is the purpose of rubberizing the Altoids tin?

To electrically insulate the conductive metal tin so it can be used safely for DIY electronics.

How do you prepare the tin before spraying PlastiDip?

Clean the inside with a damp paper towel or soap and water if needed, separate the lid from the base, and mask the outside with masking tape up to the curled edge.

How many coats of PlastiDip should be applied?

The article applied 2–3 coats to ensure sufficient coverage.

Can you close the tin immediately after coating?

No, do not close the Altoids tin until the PlastiDip is dry and excess coating at the edges is trimmed to avoid ripping.

What tool is used to remove excess rubber from the edges?

An X-Acto knife is used to cut away the PlastiDip at the curled edge and inside overlap areas.

How do you remove the lid from the tin for easier masking?

Use a small flathead screwdriver to gently pry the hinges and lift the lid out.

Why mask the outside of the tin before spraying?

Masking tape protects the exterior finish and confines the rubber coating to the interior up to the curled edge.

What should you watch for when peeling the masking tape?

Peel carefully to avoid ripping the PlastiDip coating on the edges while it is still attached.

Electrically Insulated Altoids Tin

Contents hide

1 Summary of Electrically Insulated Altoids Tin

2 Step 1: Supplies and Tools

3 Step 2: Prep

4 Step 3: Rubberizing

5 Step 4: Cleaning Up

6 Quick Solutions to Questions related to Electrically Insulated Altoids Tin:

Summary of Electrically Insulated Altoids Tin

This Instructable shows how to electrically insulate an Altoids tin by coating its interior with PlastiDip rubber. After cleaning and separating the lid, mask the exterior, spray 2–3 coats of PlastiDip inside both halves, peel the tape once dry, and trim excess rubber from the lid overlap and curled edge so the tin closes without ripping. The result is a reusable, clean insulated enclosure for electronics.

Parts used in the Electrically Insulated Altoids Tin:

Altoids tin (standard size)
Masking tape
Paper towel
PlastiDip (sprayable rubber coating by Performix)
X-Acto knife
Small flathead screwdriver
Hands (for assembly and handling)

Ah yes, it’s time for another Instructable involving an Altoids tin… But this time it’s not about what’s inside the Altoids tin, it’s about the Altoids tin itself. In all its greatness, the Altoids tin we all know and love has one rather major flaw for DIY electronics use: it’s electrically conductive. To combat this, you can do several things. You can isolate your circuit with hot glue, but that’s messy and a bit permanent. You can put electrical tape on the inside of the tin, but after a while that gets gunky and gross, and it doesn’t look the best. Or you can do what I did and insulate the entire inside with a rubber coating. This is pretty simple and involves just a few materials available from the hardware store, so let’s go!

Step 1: Supplies and Tools

For supplies, you’ll need the following:

Altoids tin – whatever style you prefer, but my Arduino fits perfectly in the standard size so that’s what I used

Masking tape – to eliminate overspray on the outside of the tin

Paper towel – for cleaning

PlastiDip – this is the good stuff, a “multi-purpose rubber coating” made by Performix

For tools, you’ll need these:

Hands – for doing things

X-Acto knife – for cutting away excess rubber after drying

Small flathead screwdriver – for taking apart the Altoids tin

Step 2: Prep

The first steps necessary to electrically insulate your Altoids tin are prep work. Start by cleaning out the inside of the tin using a damp paper towel to remove that sweet, sweet minty dust. You may also want to wash it with soap and water if it’s really dusty or dirty.

After that, you’ll want to separate the top of the tin from the bottom, as this will make masking and spraying easier. Take a small flathead screwdriver and gently pry the hinges away the lid can be lifted out.

Now it’s time to mask off the two parts of the tin. Using masking tape, cover up the entire outside of the tin up to the curled edge.

Step 3: Rubberizing

After everything’s masked off properly, it’s time to spray on the PlastiDip. I don’t have pictures of the process itself, but it’s roughly the same as spray painting. Just follow the instructions on the can and you should be fine. I did 2-3 coats to make sure everything was sufficiently covered.

After the PlastiDip is dry, go ahead and carefully peel off the masking tape, making sure to not let the coating rip on the edges. Do not close the Altoids tin yet or the edges may rip!

Step 4: Cleaning Up

In its current state, the rubberized coating in the Altoids tin will interfere with the closing of the tin, possibly resulting in ripping. To fix this, we need to strategically cut away parts of the coating. Using an X-Acto knife, cut away the PlastiDip coating at the top of the curled edge in the bottom part of the tin and along the entire inside sides of the top part of the tin (the part that overlaps the bottom portion when the tin is closed). Now you can put the tin back together and press the hinges closed again, and you’re done!

For more detail: Electrically Insulated Altoids Tin

Quick Solutions to Questions related to Electrically Insulated Altoids Tin:

What is the purpose of rubberizing the Altoids tin?
To electrically insulate the conductive metal tin so it can be used safely for DIY electronics.
How do you prepare the tin before spraying PlastiDip?
Clean the inside with a damp paper towel or soap and water if needed, separate the lid from the base, and mask the outside with masking tape up to the curled edge.
How many coats of PlastiDip should be applied?
The article applied 2–3 coats to ensure sufficient coverage.
Can you close the tin immediately after coating?
No, do not close the Altoids tin until the PlastiDip is dry and excess coating at the edges is trimmed to avoid ripping.
What tool is used to remove excess rubber from the edges?
An X-Acto knife is used to cut away the PlastiDip at the curled edge and inside overlap areas.
How do you remove the lid from the tin for easier masking?
Use a small flathead screwdriver to gently pry the hinges and lift the lid out.
Why mask the outside of the tin before spraying?
Masking tape protects the exterior finish and confines the rubber coating to the interior up to the curled edge.
What should you watch for when peeling the masking tape?
Peel carefully to avoid ripping the PlastiDip coating on the edges while it is still attached.

About The Author

Ibrar Ayyub

I am an experienced technical writer holding a Master's degree in computer science from BZU Multan, Pakistan University. With a background spanning various industries, particularly in home automation and engineering, I have honed my skills in crafting clear and concise content. Proficient in leveraging infographics and diagrams, I strive to simplify complex concepts for readers. My strength lies in thorough research and presenting information in a structured and logical format.

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