case painting question!!

**mattyx** · September 2nd, 2003, 01:50 AM

hello all,

i am looking at buying a Shuttle XPC SK41G to use as a media center (dvd player, mp3 player, games and internet on my TV) and it will work great except its silver, and I need black.

i am assuming i can take it and remove the cover and sand it a tad and use black spray paint. the front looks a little trickier, like i will have to take the front plate off with one of those star hex head deals (no idea what they are called) and put some black material on it.

just wondering if this sounds like the right plan and any tips or pointers anyone could give would be helpful.

here's the link to see the actual unit. just hit the see it link...

http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage....101-216-08.jpg

**mattyx** · September 2nd, 2003, 02:00 AM

okay, i found the guides by a-plus tech to painting so i guess that answered most of my questions.

anyone have any ideas what to do with the front of the case? might be more complex than painting.....

**Platypus** · September 2nd, 2003, 06:58 AM

Originally posted by mattyx
one of those star hex head deals (no idea what they are called)

Torx

**confus-ed** · September 2nd, 2003, 07:19 AM

Originally posted by mattyx
... the front looks a little trickier, like i will have to take the front plate off with one of those star hex head deals (no idea what they are called) ...

So Platypus said "Torx" ... mmmm from the description Alun Keys ?

... but you can get the case 'linked' in black, I'm sure ! Like this one perhaps ? seems simpler than 'modding' ?

**Platypus** · September 2nd, 2003, 07:40 AM

Originally posted by confus-ed
from the description Alun Keys ?

Maybe Allen head, but "star" suggested mattyx had seen Torx heads.

Our friend Google suggests they could be 2.5mm Allen or Torx T10 (illustrations I've seen appear to use Tamperproof, they have the little "pip" in the centre to impede using a small blade flat screwdriver. The matching Torx driver is hollow).

**confus-ed** · September 2nd, 2003, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by Platypus
Maybe Allen head, but "star" suggested mattyx had seen Torx heads..

Okay whatever !

... still seems simpler to me to buy the damn thing in black in the first place !

**Platypus** · September 2nd, 2003, 08:29 AM

Originally posted by confus-ed
seems simpler to me to buy the damn thing in black in the first place

I thought so too, but was too lazy to go searching for one at the time...

**nunob** · September 2nd, 2003, 08:51 AM

I've painted a case or two a little more elaborate than just a single color. One note that might help is to take a small paintbrush and markout any wording or symbols you want to save with vaseline after the paint dries you just wash the petroleum jelly off with a rag and your wording or symbols will be there in the original color. You can also use this trick to add flames or the what not by laying down your base colors first then marking out your design with the goo and painting again. I watched my friend repeat this step like 6 times to get ghost flames on his sys. then he sold it seemed like a waste of time to me but he enjoyed doing it.

**mattyx** · September 2nd, 2003, 11:33 AM

ah yes, "Torx" is it! thanks. i actually have the tool, just couldn't remember what it is called.

the black one is nice but it is another 80 more expensive. since i've got the time, i am thinking i can save myself some money since the sk41 fits my needs.....

**The Trash Man** · September 3rd, 2003, 10:46 PM

yeah i tried painting my case before, forgot to sand it first. as soon as it dried all the paint started peeling off. glad it was just an old junk computer.

**cisco2** · September 8th, 2003, 12:29 PM

Sounds like getting the front off is the only real obstacle. Assuming it doesn't simply come free, you're probably going to have to remove some connectors, switches, etc. Hopefully they weren't melted or studded in place.

I would take a picture of any connections that attach to the faceplate, and/or take some good notes. unscrew/unhook any/everything from the front panel, spray paint it with blissful abandon. Let it dry. Have fun re-attaching things.

Or just turn the lights out, everything is black in the dark.

**Larrwangster** · May 30th, 2004, 09:31 PM

hello
i have his problem also
i have a dell digital jukebox
and laugh all u want ok
but i lov it

so anyhoo i need to no how to paint it
including the faceplate

i just can't seem 2 dismantle it

any1 gotta sn forr AIM i culd discuss this in private i really need a step by step

i also need to no wut type of paint

if u can't help me with the dismant;e, at least ell me the type of paint u guys use on ur computers
thanx and stuff

**Cracker** · August 21st, 2004, 03:17 AM

Ok, lets see... i just rescently bought a new computer, and i wanna get some kewl stuff for it. but fricking all the extra stuff like Speakers, Monitor, n **** like that are extra if i get them black. my whole cmoputer case it black, and the monitor i have is white. i just want the damn things to match, its that so hard to ask? anyways, i was just wondering if any of u had a sudgestion of which kind of paint i should use? i have not the slightest clue on which kind of paint to use, and i dont feel liek paying the extra $ jsut for a color change. lol. any help will be appriciated.

-Cracker