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HOW-TO Paint your 9300/XPS 2/M170

post #1 of 59
12/31/05 at 12:29pm
Thread Starter 
I got this idea when my Alps touchpad died a week ago and dell sent me a whole new palm rest. I suddenly found myself with a spare part and got the idea to aquire certain other parts so I could paint them. So I have a backup of all the plastic parts I painted so if my m170 ever dies i'll slap on stock and have my warrenty back .

I began with this, Screwdrivers, Plastic Primer, Red Metallic paint



Got down to the palm rest



I had to cut off the little peices of plastic holding it together with a razor... Hard to show really, but you'll know when you see them.



Got each part seperated from electronics, areas i didnt want painted covered.




Then I sanded that sucker.. i was kinda lazy/excited so i only did a little so paint would stick.



Then I primed it.



Waited a few hours, went red.



and when it was not wet, i carefully assembled it... which is the time when you get the most scratches and it drives you mad. But when its done...





What I will do when I repaint it to fix little things. First I will sand that sucker down to the bone... Next I would really let paint dry... aka days... Lastly I am going to put a clear coat on it so it is smoother. If you got the spare parts, give it a try!
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post #2 of 59
12/31/05 at 1:41pm
nice job
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post #3 of 59
12/31/05 at 6:40pm
That is a terrible paint job. It looks dull.
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post #4 of 59
12/31/05 at 7:40pm
Ouch dude. if you are going to criticize, at least give him some suggestions.

TROLL.
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post #5 of 59
12/31/05 at 7:46pm
Yeah, right now it doesn't look like the best job BUT he did say he's going to sand it much better and let it dry for days next time, not to mention the clearcoat. Don't be so hard on him I've been thinking about painting mine, but I might take it to an auto body when the time comes (my dad knows the guy, etc).

The only other thing I know when it comes to spray paint is it's better to do several "light" layers instead of a single thick one to avoid the lumpy orange peel effect. It probably wastes more paint, but should come out a little smoother too (the clearcoat might make all the little bumps and dings stand out).
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post #6 of 59
12/31/05 at 7:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zen313
Ouch dude. if you are going to criticize, at least give him some suggestions.

TROLL.


Anything different is kewl.

Maybe some clear coat to spiph it up a bit =]
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post #7 of 59
12/31/05 at 7:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tommms
That is a terrible paint job. It looks dull.
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post #8 of 59
12/31/05 at 7:56pm
Don't listen to tommms, I think you did a wonderful job, and if you think it looks good more power to you. I bet he couldn't make his look half as good as what you've done with it (I know I couldn't :-\)
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post #9 of 59
12/31/05 at 10:53pm
wow you're the first to paint your xps. keep it up!!!

how long did it took you?
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post #10 of 59
12/31/05 at 11:21pm
omfg i've got wood
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post #11 of 59
12/31/05 at 11:40pm
nice job man

i personally wanna look for a shop that would paint my notebook with a cool design, but i cant seem to find a place that does that kind of work

i dont trust myself ><
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post #12 of 59
12/31/05 at 11:42pm
reminds me of the acer ferrari
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post #13 of 59
12/31/05 at 11:42pm
either the pictures dont do it justice or it does look a little bland and not 'shiney'. Try a fine grit sandpaper, sand it, then repaint. Do this process a few times. Then paint it with polyeurethene(sp?).
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post #14 of 59
1/1/06 at 3:38am
u need closer up shots, looks good though, although i wouldnt have gone with red if i did it.
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post #15 of 59
1/1/06 at 3:45am
Looks like !!!. Congrats
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post #16 of 59
1/1/06 at 4:01am
Thread Starter 
This was just sort of a trial run, I was pressed for time(so finished entire thing in under a day, with a 2-4 hours of work... But since i am using parts that I have stock back ups for, im just gonna try and make it perfect(lots of free time with college break and all). I didnt use a gloss on it just primer and metallic paint, but i will post new pics when i re- sand/prime/paint and gloss this sucker... I was thinking next time maybe a yellow... I went to three stores and all they had was red, but now since i got more time i will look online for a color, any suggestions or links would nice. Thanks guys for positive responses! if any of you want to attempt this or want more info drop me a line
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post #17 of 59
1/1/06 at 4:50am
You gotta fight sparkles with sparkles, make it glossier!
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post #18 of 59
1/1/06 at 5:17am
This isn't the first time someone here has painted their 9300/XPS laptop. Quite a few people have. Just this past week there was a posting "Custom Paint Job" where darkloki painted his 9300. He shares a number of good pointers around post 50 so check that out. There are also a number of custom paints such as Chameleon paint and Eclipse Heat Reactive paints.

Whichever you do I'd highly suggest completely sanding it with fine sand paper 600+ grit before primer. Multiple fine/light spray coats.. at least 3 or 4. Something I've seen done before is to apply a very thin clearcoat followed by another very thin coat of paint right afterwards. Both these need to be done very lightly and quickly. Final clearcoat(s) to follow afterwards.

For people who want a really nice paint job ... Specific Recommended Paint: An Acrylic Urethane Paint! Why? Well its an extremely hard coating which will resist fading, scratching and chipping. They dry faster than most other products. NOTE: Oils dont affect it so you no longer have to worry about the palmrest turning black as many people find happen .

I've see vehicles painted with this stuff and then hit with a hammer and not be scratched or chipped! For those who have to argue as they always lurk.. yes if hit hard enough you'd dent and scratch it .

I've been tossing the idea around myself to modify the appearance of my 9300 but haven't decided if I want to use the XPS2 palmrest and LCD cover or to custom paint it. If I do paint I'll use the Acrylic Urethane for sure!
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post #19 of 59
1/1/06 at 6:59am
looks good.
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post #20 of 59
1/1/06 at 12:29pm
Thread Starter 
Acrylic Urethane Paint --- Where can I get it in a good solid ultra glossly color?
oh btw, chameleon paint isnt my thing and heat reactive paint i believe would look terrible because of the uneven heating patterns of the m170
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