My window etching attempt

[MrScott]

Hey all, first time posting in the cases section, just wanted to share what I've done. A week or 2 ago I bought a windowed side panel and cathodes for my TJ05, but realised it looked pretty boring. So, I've etched my website and some logos into the window.

First off I experimented with using a dremel-esque tool, but I couldn't get anything like the finish I wanted. In the end I did it with glass frosting spray and using sticky back plastic as a stencil (which was a good idea till it came to getting the stuff off).

Couple of pictures:

I'm really happy with how it turned out, thanks for looking.

 

[MrScott]

It's 'Brush Strokes' Glass etch spray from B&Q, comes in a purple can (they also do a brush on version). Was about £4 for the spray and £4 for the plastic I used as a stencil. It actually looks a bit better in the pictures than IRL because the pictures don't show all the scratches I put in the window whilst doing it .

 

[MrScott]

Hey guys, thanks fror the comments.

For the stencil I suppose it could be done with just a paper stencil or non-sticky plastic then taped down on the window, I just used sticky back to make absolutely sure none could get under the stencil and get nice sharp edges.

I printed the design first (reversed cos it's etched on the inside), covered the window in the plastic and then cut it out freehand using a scalpel while it was on the window itself (with the template taped to the other side). The only problem was cleaning off bits of glue & stuff left by the plastic, and it was a little too sticky.

p.s. on a side note how do you find the TJ 05?

Well the main thing really is how big, heavy & imposing it is (13kg empty!), and I love it Very well built and I think it looks stunning. Cooling wise I've got the 120mm fan which was included but at 7V at the front and an Akasa quiet 120mm at the back, and temperatures are absolutely excellent (I actually doubt the sensors: 34C CPU under load and 50C GFX under load on air). Only 2 complaints: the screwless hard drive mounting is a bit rattly so it's a bit loud hard-drive wise, and it's a bugger to keep clean because it's shiny black. Oh and the screwless expansion card mechanisms are a bit of a pain and make it quite difficult to install a gfx card. Overall I think it's a fantastic case.

 

[MrScott]

Would it be easy enough to do smaller letters effectively do you think? As i was thinking i could etch my specs quite small on my window... oh and is it removeable? lol stupid question but hey

tbh I think it would be difficult to go much smaller (smallest lettering on mine is 7mm high) cutting it out by hand, but that depends on how good you are at doing it I suppose. I think the main problem would probably be how thin the lettering was rather than how big. Reading the can it says it's removable by scratching it off with a blade, so it sounds like it would be difficult to get off without scratching the window.

Whats the durability like on this etching spray does anyone know (IE is it likely to start fgetting flakey after a couple of months?)

I'll be sure to post back if it starts peeling or anthing lol.

Thanks again for the positive comments guys, I'm petty pleased with how it came out.