Ssrogg

Ok, have an Antec 900 case. Got about 2 weeks til I start stuffing guts in the thing. SOO, I need to get off my rear and get my case looking like I want.

Concept:

I always loved the look of the first year Prowlers in Purple. Was a killer looking cruiser. So, I wanna do my case in Prowler Purple, and send in some bits for chroming for accents. Found some UV reactive purple clearcoat for the interior, this plus some UV Laser LED's will make up the interior lighting. I may go with some exterior lighting, as well (taillights and headlights? )

Problem:

I think I can get the chroming done locally, just have to wait for a batch run and try and slip my parts in. BUT, I can't figure out the Prowler Purple paint. Is a 3 part paint. Base, mid, top. Well, 4, forgot clearcoat. But that's a gimme.

I need to find a source for the paint ala rattlecan. I don't have access to a spray rig anymore, so mixing and shooting is no longer an option. 2 hours on Google, and no luck. But, then, I've never been known for my expertise with search engines, either. DID find some from Testors for model cars, which would work, but $12 for a set of 3oz cans seems a bit steep. Would probably cost over $50 for the paint in that form.

IF I can't get the parts in for the chrome, anyone know of a good spray system that looks like chrome? I know some exist, but no luck finding any.

Thanks in advance,
Eric

PS, will try some local auto paint suppliers tomorrow. Wish me luck.

Ssrogg

Step one: Rip it apart

I hope this case works alright, I suspect I've already voided my warranty. If not, I'll take it back to Fry's and pray they don't look too close?



Lots of little pieces. Will undo the door as soon as I find a sandblaster I can use. I think my Uncle can hook me up, will need to shoot him a call this week.

No more til the weekend, 4 days on the road start tomorrow night and I don't have anything I need to go any further tonight.

Eric

P.S. Could a Mod put a 56k warning into the post title? Can't edit and this will be a worklog. Thanks!

Ssrogg

Had to add a link for reference. Purple Prowler

Eric

forcifer

for chrome, anything by dupli-color is usually good. they make some awesome paint :) make sure you prime everything first! you will regret it dearly if you dont when everything starts to chip of

Ssrogg

Well, did some calling around. Seems that a chrome bath for my lovely Antec would cost me upwards of $350. That's just out, I'm afraid. Cryin shame, that. But, Forc, your idea of Duplicolor seems a good one. Gonna go that route til a get a few more sheckles. Found some COOL paints on thier website. I'm just hopin I can get them locally. Should be GTG.

Interior: Base of White primer, Metalcast Groundcoat, Purple Metalcast, Nite Lites Clearcoat, UV purple clearcoat. Should do the trick.

Exterior: Rear, trim, and fan grates Duplicolor Chrome (MIGHT go with gold.....not sure yet and opinions well recieved). Plastic and side panels will be White Primer, 2 coats Purple (hoping I can find a candy color), coat of Pearl, final color coat, Metallic Clearcoat, Clearcoat, nice coat of Carnuba for shine.

Interior lighting: Laser x2, Laserx1, Fans for side and interiorx2

Exterior lighting: Feet, Front Trim, with windows

Cables: Sleeving MIGHT try a couple Firefly 4 pin LED connectors in blue. Can't find em again, atm.

Opinions/ideas always welcome.

Eric

forcifer

gold would be awesome. either would work though, up to you :)

Ssrogg

The painting has begun. Got all the fan grates and front grates painted Gold. Paint looks ok, but sure wish I could have afforded the chemical bath. Oh-well.

The purple has turned into an issue. #1 I couldn't find a color dark enough for me. #2 I used white primer for a cleaner color. Hindsight now says I shoulda used black. Oh-well.

The rest is coming together, will get some pics up tomorrow. I ran outa daylight, energy, and patience today.

Eric

magnethead

update?

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Ssrogg

Will update soon. Work and weather have been uncooperative of late. Been on the road a lot, and when I'm home, it's been pouring down rain. Was even snowing a bit. Not the best painting environment. Will get some pics tonight and post what I've accomplished (not much) either tonight or tomorrow. Should get a break in the weather tomorrow and Monday.

Now if my bloody tax returns would just show up so I can order the actual computer guts and the lighting. So much for fast returns if you pay for e-file. Grrr

Eric

Ssrogg

OK! Got some pics to post up. I skipped the bit about sanding and priming. Like you haven't ever seen it....

The primary color is more purple than blue, but for some reason my camera wants to make it blueish. First time I've EVER had a color issue with this camera. Fuji S5000. Dunno what the issue is, but

As you can see, the candy color on the chassis is uneven and splotchy. Cool temps and high humidity does nothing for that type of paint.

I still need my metallic clearcoat, which seems to be out of stock in Portland as a whole. Can get the black, no problem, but no clearcoat. I still can't find a source for Dupli-Color Nite-Lites locally. I need to. Still need to order the UV clearcoat, but no huge hurry on that, at least.

I've decided that the LED feet I was gonna buy aren't fitting with the mods, so I'm gonna make some. 1" Acrylic rod from Tap Plastics cut into 1 1/2" pieces with either mirrors or holographic tape top and bottom with rubber pads top and bottom for vibration dampening. Add a Purple LED into each, and voila! Cool feet for about $2 each instead of $15 for 4.

A few more pics of the painting thus far:






I should finish the candy coat on the chassis tomorrow, and God willing, find some Effex metallic clearcoat and get it done, as well.

Still need a source for the Nite Lites for the interior.

Layering question: Nite lites, then UV purple or UV purple, then Nite Lites? The layering WILL matter, just not sure which and I'll not have a huge supply to experiment much.

I may try a coat of the Candy Purple over the primary coat just to see what it would look like.....might be the magic Prowler Purple I'm looking for?

In the end, I think that rich, dark metallic purple of the Prowler is going to elude me, but then, it was my inspiration, not an ideal. I hope to get close, but I should still end up with a cool looking case.

If ya wonder why I chose purple, the answer is simple. The only other readily available colors for lighting are Blue, Red, and Green. EVERY other dang computer is one of those colors. I like to be different, so purple it was......

Eric

Ssrogg

Sorry for the big pics, thought I'd resized them right. Foolish me.....

Ssrogg

Good news (for me, anyway)! Found a supplier for the Nite Lites and my Effex. Wife is buying the Effex now, will go get the Nite Lites tomorrow. Looks like I get to do a bunch more painting tonight and tomorrow. Got a friend on his way over right now to get some help with his Laptop, so I gotta deal with that, first.

Eric

ShosMeister

Great pics! Looks a bit more blue than purple in some of them but I really like the gold grills!

Ssrogg

Ok, got three coats of Effex on the external bits. All I can say is "wow". Very cool paint. I was expecting metallic, not holographic.

I'll let the pic speak:


Eric

Still looks blue.....stupid camera!

Ssrogg

Note to self, and others. Paint can be a PITA to deal with. Cool weather and high humidity will kill you every time if you don't pay enough attention. Here's what happens when you shoot a laquer base coat with an enamel clearcoat in those conditions without leaving enough time between coats (can says UP TO one hour, in cool/high humidity, allow at least 90 minutes between):





I wasn't exactly going for a textured finish!

A little wet sanding and a re-shoot, no harm done. Would be easier if I had an airbrush, but oh-well.

And yes, I shoot outdoors. I've breathed enough paint for one lifetime...

My kingdom for some warm, dry weather!!!


Eric

forcifer

dang dude that looks awesome. metallic flakes look so cool..

Thething

WOW that is an awsome paint job mate, cant wait to see the finished thing.

Wish i had the patience and know how to paint my case but id prolly leave it half finished as i have no patience, lol.

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magnethead

now that is looking sweet.

as to the camera making it turn blue, what model is the camera? Some have different modes that will correct the color back to purple.

__________________
I'm not the world's greatest speller. Deal with it.