Crestron Design Blog

In this article I will present the various design options, based on the high-quality finishes and engravings of Crestron panels. We know that the color selection offered by Crestron for their equipment is not very extensive. The design manufactory Testa Motari therefore offers a service to paint all of the Crestron devices so that they match the environment of the installed devices and interior, in any desired color. As a template for the colors, for example, please refer to the RAL, the NCS, Pantone or the DIN-6164 color system. Alternatively, the varnish can of course be adapted to any color sample.
 

The choice of paint gloss level is infinite: From plain flat (think of a surface made of velvet) to a 14-layer brilliant high gloss (like a piano). The above listed Crestron TPMC-8X panel is painted in glossy white. To emphasize the elegance, the lateral controls were removed. The four buttons under the display are covered with elegant black chrome.
 

The TPS-6X is painted with a brilliant high-gloss varnish (piano varnish) in ‘Ferrari Red’. As shown, the docking station was included in the refinement process.
 

The new surface can be personalized with engravings. In the example above, the new finish was engraved with the original lettering. With the same technology the Crestron panels can easily be personalized. Besides the name, logo or family crest, the Crestron controls can be customized in any way desired. Upon request, the function labels can be made visible only when active (with an integrated lighting), and can be integrated with appropriate contact switching functions. The same technology also allows the integration of secret functions that are known only to the owner.
 

The Crestron TPMC-8X panel being painted and varnished in flat bloom-white color, and it is further refined with a fine brushed aluminum bezel. Of course, the finish of the faceplate can be of any metals, such as gold (yellow gold, white gold, pink gold, green gold), silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, aluminum, copper, brass, bronze, titanium. The surface texture of the metal faceplate can extend from matt polished to high gloss polished, brushed or machined. By selecting any color and any gloss level and texture, unique Crestron control panel are created. As a special exclusive, it is possible to cover the metal bezel with genuine granite and sandstone or metalize the entire panel.

First of all, thanks for the many positive reactions on my blog. Apparently I have created much interest with the processing of Crestron panels.
In this article I’m working with metalized surfaces for Crestron touch panels.
 

 
The Crestron TPS-6X is fully chromed. Of course, the surface can be enhanced with various other metals: gold (yellow gold, white gold, pink gold, green gold), silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, aluminum, copper, brass, bronze, titanium, and many others. The choices are virtually limitless.
As the picture below shows, also the docking station is completely covered with metal.
 

 
The original equipment must be treated by the manufacturer, so the surface is rendered mirror smooth. Because of the very shiny finish, even the tiniest irregularities or inclusions would be visible and disturbing. To ensure durability, the metal layer is protected with a transparent clear varnish. While providing protection it also improves the aesthetical properties. In contrast to industrial metalized plastic parts (such as are used for example in mobile phone keyboards), the metal layer is not blemished by constant touch after just a short time.

 
A very exciting and extremely refined version is finished in black-chrome.
 

 
For this touch panel we used a bezel without buttons to achieve the highest possible degree of elegance. An alternative to black-chrome would be a very dark and luxurious-looking black-ruthenium.

 
Very much in trend now are patinated and oxidized metal surfaces. Treated this way, devices can be integrated seamlessly into interiors with any fitting character. In the following two pictures I show a Crestron TPS-4L, including additional bezel with bronze patina. The color and structure (grinded, milled or brushed) and the thickness of the patina was adapted to the sample design and the exact requirement by the customer.
 

 
I hope that with this review I have given some inspiration for possible product refinements and I look forward to any feedback.

In this Blog I will discuss the refinement and finishing of Crestron control modules. In most cases the users like to adapt the design to the needs and scope of the application. The German Design Manufacturer Testa Motari can meet virtually any wishes and requests. A major advantage is that all surfaces are processed by one professional; no exasperating back and forth between trained craftsmen of different specialties, like wood, leather, lacquering. A very special feature is combination of natural woods with the finest leather in all imaginable variations.
 

 
Buttons that are not absolutely needed can be removed by the Design Manufacturer and covered with a new, exclusive surface. Optionally, the buttons can be replaced by capacitive sensors. By simply touching the symbols engraved on the surface, the functions are thus preserved in a simple and elegant way.
 

 
The docking station of the Crestron TPMC-8X shown in the illustration is finished with a black high-gloss. For the coat of lacquer you can select any color from the extensive range of RAL or NCS color system. Individual engravings and logos, even family coat of arms, can be freely selected.
 

 
A unique specialty is the 3D work from natural wood veneer. As the illustration of the Crestron TPS-6X shows, curved and rounded surfaces are also covered with fine woods. Even the foot of the docking station is fully covered with wood! The grips of this model are applied with cream-colored Nappa leather.
 

 
The type of wood can be specified by the wood’s known name or by a sample. Or, alternatively, you can supply to the wood, which was already used on site; the same with leather. A unique specialty of Testa Motari is the combination of different woods. In the illustration below you can see sample of dark Wenge wood with fine strips of maple wood, as well as the inverted variation of it. Even images can be realized with this technique.
 

 
Thanks to the approval of Crestron, the equipment refinished by Testa Motari retains the full product warranty.

I hope this blog may give some inspiration for the refinishing of Crestron touch panels. I would like to thank Vincent Bruno for the permission to use Crestron in the domain name.