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How to Customize Xbox 360 Skins & Faceplates

Changing your Xbox 360 faceplate or applying a skin is a great way to express your individuality, fit your console into your decor, or simply get rid of the bland white box sitting next to your TV. Custom skins and faceplates are available in most video game stores. The faceplate is the piece of the cover on the front of your Xbox 360. A skin is essentially a decal you stick on the outside of your console.

Things You'll Need

Nail file

Instructions

- 1
  Unplug your console. Unplug both your power cable and your audio/video cables from the back of your console.
- 2
  Remove the game disc. You're going to be moving your console around. If the disc is flopping around inside, there is a risk of damaging the disc or your Xbox 360's DVD drive.
- 3
  Unplug peripherals. Unplug anything plugged into either the USB slots or the memory card slots on the front of the console.
- 4
  Remove the faceplate. Gently press inward on the tabs next to the faceplate. The faceplate should be removed easily. The power button and the doors for the memory cards and USB ports are part of the faceplate. An open hole will remain for the DVD drive.
- 5
  Clean your Xbox 360. If you are planning to apply a skin, you'll need to remove any dust that could be caught under the decals. Dry off any cleaning solution on the console. If you are applying a custom faceplate, skip ahead to Step 9.
- 6
  Apply the skin to the faceplate. Remove the backing entirely from the faceplate portion of the skin. Start with the side the DVD drive is on. A good starting point to line up the skin is the hole for the DVD drive. Keep the skin taut to avoid bubbles. Slowly work your way down the faceplate toward the USB port door. Smooth out any wrinkles as you go--they will be harder to remove once the skin has been fully applied.
- 7
  Apply the skins for the memory card doors, the USB port door and the power button. A nail file is useful to remove them from the backing without accidentally sticking the decal to itself.
- 8
  Apply the top and bottom skins. Remove the backing from the skin entirely. Place the skin, sticky-side up on your workspace. Replace the backing, off-centered slightly to leave a sticky lip on the front side of the skin. Line the sticky edge up along the front edge of your console and smooth it down, avoiding air bubbles. Remove the backing. Keeping the skin taut, work from front to back, smoothing the skin out. Once this is complete, repeat for the other side.
- 9
  Attach the faceplate. If you are applying a skin, replace your newly-skinned faceplate. If you are applying a custom faceplate, attach the new faceplate. Slide the tabs in carefully and the faceplate will snap into place.

Xbox 360