Project: Dark Shine

Zairs · 5 Jan 2011 at 00:43

Thought i'd start a proper build log of my first computer build

I started off with an old thermaltake xaser III case i got from an auction site

heres a few more pics showing the door open and the inside

Zairs · 5 Jan 2011 at 00:53

the next move was to come up with a few ideas, first i'm gonna strip out everything and put in three 120mm fans. I'm gonna also remove the hd casing to increase airflow. I'm also gonig to take everything off the fron and take it right back to the casing.
ive also designed some cut outs that are going to have dark tink perspex on them
heres my design

then here it is with the design cut out

Zairs · 5 Jan 2011 at 00:55

the case is gonna be sprayed in a blue/purple/red flip paint that is sprayed over a blue base coat. The base coat turned up, did a quick spray test. will rub it back down and prime it later.

Zairs · 5 Jan 2011 at 01:00

Ive done a bit more to this today, there was a few imperfections where i'd cut out the design on top so i filled it with car body filler and sanded it down nice and smooth. Ive also removed the restrictive fan grill at the back and meshed that section. Next step spraying

will put the pics up tomorrow

Zairs · 5 Jan 2011 at 08:12

the decent cuts i used a jig saw with "curve metal blades" though i had snapped them all by the end and the last two cuts i had to use a normal metal blade, ended up doing a bit of damage to the case, which is why i had to do a little bit of filling

i then filed it and sanded it smooth

Zairs · 5 Jan 2011 at 12:10

I thought i'd use my good camera now, hope its a bit clearer

just need to put a couple of holes in for cable management and the i'll be spraying it

i think i need some practice at taking pictures of cases

Zairs · 6 Jan 2011 at 08:26

not sure yet, either i5 760 or sandybridge. 4gb geil ram, not sure on graphics card yet

Zairs · 11 Jan 2011 at 05:43

did some more yesterday, marked out and removed slots for cable management. Then tried to use an air brush to prime it, took me an hour to get the outside and some of the inside done, so i gave up, will go and you the old mans proper spray equiipment hopefully sunday

heres some more pics

Zairs · 17 Jan 2011 at 16:37

sprayed the case yesterday. used some paint that i was going to use for a car project but was never able to get enough of it so thought it would be good for this project. things started well, the filler primer went on well as did the blue base coat. then things went horribly wrong

the paint didnt go on right and ended up with a few runs but it also made the paint underneth go soft again and bugger up in a few places. so i now have to sand down and start again.

I now have a choice, i can respray using good paint or

I have found out a freind can do a few different power coat finishes (just my luck to find out afterwards) but he cant remove the paint that is already there, is there a way a could do this easily or do i even need to remove all of the paint??

Zairs · 19 Jan 2011 at 00:32

after the disaster of the weekend i have now decided to get it powder coated

but first i need to remove the paint i have just put on, i am going to see if i can pressure wash it off. the paint is still slightly soft. any how here are some pics of the paint job

Zairs · 12 Feb 2011 at 00:38

been a bit slow lately, im still trying to remove all the paint, so far ive stripped it twice but there is still some paint still on it. i'm hoping to get it all off tomorrow morning. i have mdded some fans so that the white leds are now uv purple, they have turned out well and will post some pics up of them later

i *m still coming up with different ideas and have a good idea how it will look when finished!

Zairs · 14 Feb 2011 at 18:49

Last update for the mo, ive given up trying to strip the paint to powder coat it as i'd need to remove every bit of paint and it will take too long so i'm going to get it back to a good place and then spray it with car paint that i know will come out well.
it's going to be similar to skyline purple

Zairs · 7 Mar 2011 at 17:19

Little update:
Cut up all the perspex that i need for the front and the windows, i also cut out the fan intakes and put the hole in for the switch i havnt put in the drive yet as i dont know if im going for a slot one or tray. i should also be spraying the case again this week hopefully, desided against powder coating as i couldnt get all the paint off and it would have bubbled up under the coat when it was put in the oven.
I also have a i7 860 being delivered sometime this week so i now have the basics to get the machine up and running, though i still need to buy lots of parts

Zairs · 26 Sep 2011 at 22:47

Thought i'd best do an update as its been 6 months. the case has been been respayed! did it in skyline midnight purple. ive stuck the black tinted perpex to the case using tiger seal and also stuck the front fans on using the tiger seal as to keep it as smooth as possible. the components are all ready to go in and should all be up and running in the next few day.
must be one of the slowest builds ever!

Zairs · 28 Sep 2011 at 17:39

Nearly finished the build! just waiting on the cpu. all the other components are in and cabling has been hidden as much as possible, need to buy some pci-e extenders. also need to wire up the switch and cut the end off tray that seats the hard drive so it locks in place. Then its time to start upgrading it starting with an ssd

Zairs · 3 Jan 2012 at 21:02

most current pics