The end draws near...

[Ruahrc]

Just thought I'd post an update on how my extensive computer refit is going.

Just to note I am installing a watercooling system (2cooltek's Aquastealth) and am painting my case, along with upgrading the hardware inside.

I got all the case mods done (drilling, cutting new holes, etc.) cut a square hole for the radiator, cut the upper seam off the case cover so now it is a "side loader" instead of a "U" shaped top loader. Cut new holes for my 80mm fan in the side of the case, and cut a screw hole to help hold the case cover on and reduce vibration.

The watercooling circut has the proper tubing lengths now and is filled with the final fluid (mixture of distilled water and some antifreeze (to prevent corrosion and lubricate) in a probably 5:2 ratio). It is now sealed and under testing.

Made the mounting for my radiator, as well as prepared the case for the resivoir.

Sadly, I decided to scrap my attempts at making a fancy schmancy plexiglass waterblock mounting system (had too much trouble with it) and decided to go with the clip provided in the WC kit.

What's left: paint the case (won't reveal the color yet wait till the pics when I'm done http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif), mount the WC circut inside the case, and reinstall the components! I'm having some problems though with painting. I originally wanted to paint my drive faceplates so that it wouldn't look odd (ok hint the color of the case will be somewhat dark when it's done) with nonpainted faces, but I'm having difficulties as to how to paint them. Any help?

Ruahrc- hard at work

[RustyGT]

Bloke!
Serious Surgery Indeed!
Best suggestion on painting metal.
Try your local panel shop, or find out, while you're there, where they buy their paint.
The wholesalers will give advice without bull****.
Painting plastic, is a quiz for the hobby shop. Most plastic parts on a computer are the same stuff model planes are made of.
Cheers R.

[Hellmund]

Well good luck mate, hope you get a massive overclock for that investment http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[randy48]

You can carefully pop the face plates off of the floppy and CD drives, spray paint them and put them back on or leave them on and carefully paint them with a brush. Spraying looks better but you risk breaking the mounting tabs by taking them off (a little "super glue" would fix that).

Good luck and show it off when you get done!

[MiKe85]

wow, if I were trying to do something like that, only bad things would happen....lol

[eagle1]

Maximum PC had an article about case painting. It includes step by step in detail on how to paint everything and which products to use.!

[Ruahrc]

Well took the risk and painted today. Went to the auto shop and just bought some car spray paint. Washed off the case real good with dishwasher soap and water, dried them off and painted.

Looks great! The paint adhered well to all surfaces, plastic and metal. I think I'm going to steer clear of painting drive fronts as the contrast between the two colors looks pretty good and it is too difficult to paint them anyhow. I actually had no difficulty getting the drive plates off but the problem is binding the buttons with the paint. The only way to get around it is to take them off, which they appear to be "melted" on.

All that's left now is to finish testing the wc system (still going no leaks http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif) and wait until the rest of my upgrdaes get here.

Ruahrc

p.s. don't club me over the head i'm not going to OC just want a pc that runs cool and doesn't sound like an airplane http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[samwichse]

Pictures! You can't go through all that and not post pictures!

[Ruahrc]

Patience, Patience! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Will post pics when I'm done (estimated time about a week yet because I have to wait for parts to come in the mail. I may have a picture or two of my empty case before then, but kinda want it to be a surprise type thing where it's all done before uncovering it)

Ruahrc