Project: Dark Shine

[Zairs]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[waynio]

Looking good Zairs nice cuts .

 

[G-Dubs]

very nice cuts, howd you do them?

 

[Zairs]

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]

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

 

[Sgt Tackleberry]

Sexy, can't wait to see the finish build

 

[MADEinSTOKE]

looking good

 

[SupermotoMX]

very nice looking

 

[Sayso]

wow nicely done, i think its such an achievement to start with a horrible looking case (no offence intended) and make it look good.
The cuts have come out really well, what's the spec of the components?

 

[Zairs]

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

 

[SubScape]

Those cuts look really clean and nice, well done, can't wait for the rest

 

[Zellion]

Lookin good
Should paint the inside pure white.

 

[Zairs]

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]

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]

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

 

[domthecondom]

different kind of design

 

[Mister Wolf]

loving the blue!!! )