HOW-TO Paint your 9300/XPS 2/M170 - Page 3

I'll add my props to the paint job. I'm no expert but I like it.
-ray

Sounds interesting! I've never heard of that, but it stands to reason that I've never heard of alot of stuff. So when you do this, do you still need to spray a clear over it?

It almost sounds like it achieves a "candy" effect. The metallic flakes that your talking about, are they premixed into the paint, or or is it the kind of flake that you add to the clear like "pearl"?

Any way, sounds like a good idea also, i wasn't trying to step on your toes there!

Yea, she wants the first all-pink XPS2 clone. Even asked me once about the possibility of installing pink neons (told her the XPS neons have a pink setting already). She's sooo girlie.

Didn't really notice this thread before. I give you props for the effort and the nice looking color mix (of keeping which pieces which color) as it looks tasteful (even for a "rough" draft) and it matches the MX518 Red mouse quite well.

No worries. I did a bit of painting in my youth...mostly big rigs. You can go with 2 coats. The base coat will be all color and the second coat will be base/clear. Most of the metallic will be mixed with the second coat. This gives a real sense of depth to the paint job.

Epoxy type paints will last forever....as will most auto paints. They're designed to withstand the outside elements for years. A laptop environment will be pretty benign by comparison.

The original paint job we were talking about can be modified as much as he wants. With the bits off, he can experiment. Try out a few paints....even out of a can. The biggest problem with a can is uneven application. With care and practice, you can probably get a good job done. You have to achieve the perfect balance of wet application without using too much paint. The same goes with a clear coat.

Tips; shake the can very, very well. You don't want blobs. Keep your finger on the button and start your spray before the object and spray past the edge in one, smooth movement. Spray in parallel lines. If you use metallics, when you're done your coat, do a very light spray perpendicular to your original pattern. This will even out the look of the coat. If you get a run in the middle, believe it or not, a trick is to add more paint and let it drip off. You have to be quick and do this while it's still wet.

Real show cars don't just rely on the paint job. They are sanded, with very fine, wet/dry sandpaper after every coat, including the final. That's how they get that mirror finish. Again, you can go to a body shop for advice.

Regardless, whatever way you want to go, I recomment auto paint, even out of a spray can. Your local auto parts shop will have a huge selection.

Have fun with it.

So does anyone want to type up some good instructions for painting this beast?

How did you happen to "obtain" these extra parts without cost, if you don't mind me asking? I really don't feel like buying new plastic casing if I can get it under warranty, or something. My touchpad is starting to wear down, but I was under the assumption that Dell wanted those parts back after you get the new one's in...

My i9300.

nice job, touchpad stands out a bit tho :/

but overall very smooth, and nice color

Yeah no choice on the touch pad.

That looks awesome! I actually purchased what they call a skin for my laptop to avoid having to take it apart. This website offers designs you can use or you can even upload pics. I suppose you could use a solid color so it looks like you painted it, but you can also use a sweet design! Check it out! http://www.uniqueskins.com/

wonderful job

Thanks. I sold it about a month ago and now I am thinking about painting my new laptop. Just don't know what I want to go with.

I have really debated painting the e1705. Just not sure what color I want to do.

You are welcome indeed.

cheers ...

I am Newbie

hi ive exactly registered and over this is a surely great community can any heart tell me how i suffer from my avator sorted thanks

Yo just an introduction.

Just an introduction. Glad to be here, I'm new. Saying hi to all you all.

SLK

Welcome to NBF!

cheers ...

Sorry, the topic does not belong to you.

As far as members accounts concern, we don't delete them. It will be dormant if not being used.

Hope you change your mind and come by often.

cheers ...

I'll do the same to mine... before I sell it to my sister