MaxxSauce

Hey guys, I finally found the time to make an OCN account, and just in time to put a worklog up of my 2nd ever build. I'm only 15, so I don't have much cash, but I've saved up for a while and can afford some pretty awesome specs (check in my system at the bottom).

I'm building my dream PC finally, and I am going all out on everything, the case, the parts, the cooling. Case is a Cosmos 1000 from Cooler Master. Going to be a Red/Black theme with a custom cut window in the left side panel.

The Specs are down in my system, I don't own a lot of the parts yet but they are soon to come. You can find pictures of my progress here: http://www.overclock.net/album.php?albumid=1729

But I will post some more in this thread later.

So far I have:

Cosmos 1000, stripped of everything, ready to paint (need advice on painting, never done it.)

Foxconn Bloodrage (Woohoo!! Add me to the Bloodrage club, I think that was on these forums somewhere. Can somebody direct me to it?)

Ultra X3 1000W PSU (Yes I know it's not the best, but for $199.99 from Tiger, 80+, COMPLETELY modular, and only powering 2 GPU/Core i7 it shud be enough. And besides, the GTX300 series will be more power-efficient anyway.)

XSPC Acryllic 5.25" Reservoir.

Alphacool 720l/h Pump

Black Ice GTS 280 2 x 140mm fan Radiator

Hose Clamps and Nozzles
_____________________________________________

So regarding the painting, I REALLY don't want to deal with sanding down the case, and drilling rivets and replacing them is out of the question.

As this is my first paint job, I really need the basic tips and procedures, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

I am also going to cut a side window (you can see in my picture album http://www.overclock.net/album.php?albumid=1729 my paper cutout). I need advice on what tools to use, how to finish it, cutting plexiglass, etc. I was thinking of getting Scotch 3M clear mounting tape. I saw it in a modding video, and seems to be perfect for the job. I do have a rotary saw (but don't know what blades/grinders to get) and I think I can get a jigsaw from my neighbor if needed. I also have access to a Dremel Multimax Oscillating tool, for sanding, but I don't see it doing much else.

Sorry to write so much so soon, I hope you guys can help me!

spRICE

WOW nice pc
For the painting just prime and paint using rustoleum. That paint has always worked out for me. Do around 2 coats of primer then a coat of paint. Then sand using something like 400 grit sandpaper. Then keep adding coats and sanding in between.
For the window just get some dremel cutting discs. They are disposable and come in packs of about ten.
Depending on how thick the metal is you should be using about 5 of the discs to cut the window.
I wish i could afford all that stuff (15 as well)
Oh well good luck
P.S. with the paint dont get impatient. I did and it turned out horrible. Allow about 48 hours drying time just to be sure.

__________________
I am 49% addicted to Counterstrike. What about you?

MaxxSauce

Thanks for the quick post. Only about half those parts will be in it at first. The velociraptors/blu-ray drive will be long in the future. Also im sticking with my HD4870 until the GTX300s come out.

As for the paint, is there anyway to do it without sanding? I mean, a couple scratches here and there are ok, they will be hidden by the parts. As for the outside, the side panels are a rough metallic finish, which the paint should adhere to nicely. And the rest of the outside is plastic.

And can you be more specific in the procedure, because prime, sand, paint isnt very descriptive. Sorry, but im new. =D

HAFenvy

For the dremel discs - look for the fiberglass reinforced cutting wheels like these (Dremel Site) and not the cheap little ones. I cut my top panel out and my side panel using a single one of these and it is still going strong. If you do use a Jigsaw, buy some smooth cut metal cutting blades - coarse blades are just going to chew the metal and make horrible cuts. I mainly used the dremel for my steel panel cuts - took a little while but it worked nice (and wear some earplugs, a paper face mask for the dust/grindings and proper eye protection when you do it)

For painting, preparation is important to make sure the primer sticks to the existing surfaces. If you don't do some light sanding you have a smooth surface and the paint won't adhere properly. You also want to make sure it is wiped down and clean of dust, oils (fingerprints), etc. You can also look into the Self-Etching primers which tend to stick better than basic primers - they cost a bit more but may make life easier. As spRICE said, you have to take your time with paint.

I went a different route for the "paint" on my case but there are quite a few threads in here that cover a lot of painting tips you should have a read through before diving in and just throwing paint at your case

__________________

spRICE

well if you just prime then use the colored paint you should be fine it just wont be a mirror finish.
just use a couple coats of primer and then about 4 coats of paint, waiting about ten minutes in between coats.

__________________
I am 49% addicted to Counterstrike. What about you?

XiDillon

Sorry, no foxconn group here atm. I looked for you*. If you want to paint it professionally you have to take steps and be patient. if not, just clean the surface and paint one coat to get it tacky NOT shiney! wait an hour or a little less then do it one more time and it should be shiney enough. If you really want to kick some @$$ why not try the chrome paint? would insist a professional job* That would blow me away no matter whats inside.

__________________

92% of teens have moved on to rap. If you are part of the 8% who still listen to real music, copy and paste this.

5800 Ownerz Club

HAFenvy

Check out the second sticky at the top of the "Case Mods & Cases --- Case Mods - General Discussion" threads as well, there a bunch of links in there to several topics and lots of discussions down in the threads of people doing different things with their cases along the lines of what you want to do

__________________

MaxxSauce

1. My case will be very clean when I paint, but what do you recommend for wiping it down. Wet cloth?

2. I think I will go for the self-etching primers, know any good brands?

3. @spRICE: I do not want a mirrored finish. I want matte on everything, even the red trim, and on the side panels, it is already sort of a metallic-textured chrome deal, and I just want it to be a metallic-textured black deal, shinyness is not important.

HAFenvy

There are a fair number of brands of paints - I'd check out some of the painting threads - lots of people seem to like Duplicolor, Krylon, Rustoleum and others like that but I'm definitely no expert on what paint will be the best. As far as wiping things down, don't use plain water, use a product like isopropyl alcohol something like that as mentioned in this little painting guide I found in another thread - have a look through this (and there are videos to see too)... http://www.overclock.net/case-mods-g...rior-case.html

Any decent paint supply place should be able to guide you in the right direction once you tell them exactly what you are painting.

__________________

MaxxSauce

Another thing, my side panel has the sound dampening foam on the inside, so I will need to rip that off and then use adhesive remover to get rid of the glue before I paint it. Any recommendations on adhesive remover?