Run N. Gun

Hello - I have nearly completed my modded system, but wanted to share with you the experience and the process I followed.

First, the inspiration for this mod came from a photo of a weathered yellow/black Radioactive sign, that I saw as a desktop wallpaper.

and the fact that my Antec PSU is yellow/black as well. Second, all the components in this system are in my signature. I am currently running air cooled, but eventually plan to try my hand at water cooling.

Many thanks to those that have done this before me and gave me the confidence to try my hand at it.
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Here is a pic of some of the components on Day 1 of the mod


I installed the mobo and the PSU to figure out where I needed holes to be cut. Applied painters tape, made my marks and started cutting, grinding and sanding using the tools shown. I then test fit the PSU cables to make sure they could reach everywhere. I also added a bunch of holes behind the mobo where I could put in wire ties to keep the cables flat and not be seen from the front.















Now - I was considering using 1/4" drip line to line the inside of the new holes, when I found something in the garage I thought might work just as well -- Screen Rope. You know, the stuff that secures a window screen mess to the frame? So, I took an X-acto knife and started splitting it. Then I just test fit some in a hole and it worked like a champ!



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Time for the paint shop:

Procedure:

1. I sanded the case with 400 grit sand paper
2. Wiped it all out with wet cloth and let dry
3. Rubbed everything down with alcohol
4. Tape off black parts with painters tape

Primer: I used general purpose grey primer from Home Depot and it worked fine. Next time I'll use the etching primer that CyberDruid recommended and see if I get different results.







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Once the primer was dry and smooth, it was time to paint. Again, I used Gloss Yellow and Gloss Black paint from Home Depot. For the clear coat I used Krylon's Clear Acrylic found at Checker, WalMart, etc.

Procedure:

1. First light coat of paint
2. Second light coat of paint
3. Lightly wet sand with 400grit sandpaper
4. Third coat of paint
5. Lightly wet sand with 400grit sandpaper
6. First coat of clear coat
7. Lightly wet sand with 400grit sandpaper
8. Second coat of clear coat
9. Lightly wet sand with 400grit sandpaper
10. Third coat of clear coat

Painting:










With Clear Coat:














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Some Assembly Required

Time to start putting the pieces back together. First, cover the holes with screen rope to protect the cables from being cut. Add in the PSU and test fit the drive cages, etc. I was pretty happy with the color match of the PSU and the paint!







See the chrome screws on the PCI slots and Drive Bays? I pulled them out and painted them black for a more consistent look. Yeah, I'm anal like that.

Run N. Gun

More assembly

Painted screws - FTW! It's all about the details....





Working on the drives bays...





Motherboard test fit for cabling before I install the Heatsink & Fan




Raptor on the bottom, 500GB on top.



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Somehow was lost in transit, but finally my video card finally arrived!

Run N. Gun

Here is the backside of the case, before I put on the last panel:




And...the system is all built!!








Total Modding time was on/off over 3-5 days total, mostly paint drying time. We did a full kitchen remodel in the middle of the case mod (I highly don't recommend this approach! LOL!) so this was spread out over two weeks. The system is all built and I'm very happy with the results.

Next, I'll add a UV mod in preparation for water cooling early next year.

Thanks for reading!

Run N. Gun

Armadi110

sweeeeeet. +rep, that is an awesome idea, cant wait to see it finished and i hope the final quality is as gd as what you show in the pics

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Chapstick

Looking good, nice toys you got there

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Joshn

hey im not a fan of the yellow, but still its lookin good! =]

Run N. Gun

Thanks Armadi! I'm very happy with the results so far. The paint really makes the difference in the case. It was hard to take my time with it, but the results are very obvious. I took the system to a 200 person LAN party last weekend and the yellow paint got a LOT of people's attention. There were a TON of Antec900 cases there, but only 2 others had been modded, but none had been painted.

Run N. Gun

I'm with ya! I was going to go flat black, but changed my mind after I found the Radioactive Wallpaper photo + with the power supply was sitting on my desk and everything just clicked. Now, I'm glad I did went with yellow. It is different, for sure.

Armadi110

you could do with some radioactive graphics on it or something i think but all in all it looks gd. well done, now youve got me thinking about modding my case but i might do some cnc router engravings on the perspex...

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The world rotates to the ultra heavy beat!

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Fishie36

Wow, it came out a lot better than I ever imagined yellow on an antec 900 could. Great work.

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