My first case mod.

[phi1]

Hi all, I recently was given a few older pcs, All the components are dead. So i have decided to start to mod the case as its strong nice one. It may be old but it has a slide out mobo tray. It has Hd cage. So i am thinking of making it into a media center pc, I have the parts lieing about. I am thinking of putting a window into it ect. I need to work out how i am going to start to do the front. But i started off just sanding it down ready to be sprayed. Where should i start with that do i need undercoats, How do i make it shine when its all sprayed with gloss.. How do i cut the metal what tools do i use ect. Below are some pics of what i have done so far and what it was like. Please help me with your suggestions and comments Thanks Phil

 

[gr1mey]

pics dont work Im afraid m8.

there is a sticky here with some modding guides, also bit-tech is probably the best modding forums about, take a look there.

As for the gloss finish from paint, its very hard to acheieve, you need to do several good coats of a gloss paint, then several coats of a good clear gloss laquer, then use a suitable polish to get the "piano" finish.

 

[phi1]

pics dont work Im afraid m8.

there is a sticky here with some modding guides, also bit-tech is probably the best modding forums about, take a look there.

As for the gloss finish from paint, its very hard to acheieve, you need to do several good coats of a gloss paint, then several coats of a good clear gloss laquer, then use a suitable polish to get the "piano" finish.

I fixed the pics, do you have any suggestions about cutting in?

Phil

 

[gr1mey]

if your going to start case modding as a hobby a Dremel is one of the first things you should buy, oh and a decent set of files

 

[Mark A]

First of all you need to resize that pic , 800 x 600 would be better.

As Grimey said a Dremel is a must, comes in very handy.

Also dont sand the paint down to bare metal, just give it a light sand to get a good key then apply your base coat to that. Its a nightmare painting bare metal as i found out when i resprayed a PSU.

If you want ti to "shine" after you have applied the colour you will need to apply a coat or 2 of lacquer, then polish with a polishing compound. Better off asking RB Customs about that as he knows his stuff. I usually go for a matt to satin finish when i paint as I'm not a fan off a high gloss finish.

 

[phi1]

dam lol i have gone down to the metal but looking at the case i am thinking of buying a nice case and modding it myself. can you recomend a nice but modable case?

Phil

 

[R B Customs]

Better off asking RB Customs about that as he knows his stuff.

hello
lol

Hey Phil, first of all as one person has pointed out already, painting bare metal is a sod ! it would have been easier to use the existing paint as a base to work from to be honest !

but since you have flew ahead, the next thing on your shopping list should be a mask ( for your face ) and some acid etch primer.

some tips for painting:

LESS is more.
never ever ever spray heavy coats of paint, in this weather spraying heavy layers with not enough dry-time allowed will only cause problems similar to what harib0 had doing the coolermaster mod. its a pain in the bottom, but being patient and slowly building up the paint in nice, even thin layers will always pay off.
it gives a better finish , better 'tooth' ( the 'grip' paint has to the surface' and will dry quicker.

Invest in some good quality scotchbrite pads ( grey is the most common one i use ) and some decent wet dry paper ( not the stuff from pundland )

AVOID silicone in any shape or form, it is in everything from polishes, soaps, lubricants, lots of things. and it ruins paint.
when buying polish make sure it is silicone and ammonia free ( ammonia wont play nice with fresh paint )

for the record i use G series polishes and compounds, G3, G4, G-matt etc, its good stuff - tried and tested by the pro's

now to be perfectly honest, and most people will be shocked... i Don't really know a lot about this ghetto kinda painting, as i use full on equipment and paint. there are some people who can achieve results similar with spray cans so it is possible. but my knowledge in that field is limited. although i do know that halfrauds spray cans are amongst the best.

lastly i will advise to take your time. really, it takes me days to prep and finish my paintwork as i do it by the book. a lot of the time is spent just 'watching paint dry' its boring... but has to be done. don't rush it

have fun ><

post back if you need any more help
Rick

 

[phi1]

Thanks for the advise. After seeing what i did was wrong. I did the best thing for it and threw it in the bin.. I will try again one day

Thanks Anyway!