Mini Chieftech (antec) project.

[FastRedPonyCar]

Hey gang. Figured I'd post some pics of my current project. It's an antec case mid tower design. Basically a chieftech case or mini dragon or whatever else names it has. anyways, I wanted to get a dark metallic blue really glossy outside of the case and a bright red glossy interior.

So far, the inside has 2 coats of primer (sanded with 180 then 320), 3 coats of red paint and 3 coats of the glossy enamel clearcoat. All sprays are duplicolor. I'm dissapointed with the clearcoat though because it's not glossy at ALL. It's drying in a matte finish :rant: I wet sanded the first coat with 800 then the 2nd with 1200 then the 3rd with 2000. Still no glossy shine :(

Is there another brand clearcoat that you guys know of that WILL go on with a nice wet glossy look?

Anyways, back to the computer, The outside paint dries much ligher in color than the can's cap leads one to believe and the sparkle in the paint isn't NEARLY as pronounced as it is on the cap <_< I garuntee this is the last time I use rustoleum paint. I think I can still salvage the project without having to re-paint.

After seeing the amazing harley davidson case, I'm considering adding a mesh grille on the front, cutting a larger hole for the intake and exhaust. Or either cutting another tribal flame into the grill and having mesh behind it or mabey no mesh. Who knows.

Also, I'm cutting tribal flames into the side of the case. It's my first time with the dremel doing something like this. I'm going really slow and taking my time and so far, it's turning out well.

Here are pics of some of the progress. I'm planning on finishing the flames this afternoon and adding a blowhole and might go out to walmart or autozone and look for some different type of clear coat.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/New%20PC/before1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/New%20PC/before2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/New%20PC/before4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/New%20PC/before3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/New%20PC/flame1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/New%20PC/flame2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/New%20PC/coat1_d.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/New%20PC/coat1_c.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/New%20PC/coat1_b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/New%20PC/coat1_a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/IMG_3887a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/IMG_3891a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/IMG_3895a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/IMG_3898a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/IMG_3900a.jpg

[Brillopad]

what type of paint did use for the plastic front

[mnpctech]

Sweet! The cut-outs are bad ass. Looks like your Stang's paint color.

Sounds like you applied too much clear, it will get cloudy on ya. Have you tried automotive rubbing compound? try that out next.

The best stuff is 3M's Perfect It III. You may have to do some searching though. Check Automotive store that supplies 3M Professional Autobody products. You may even have to goto actual autobody supplier. Its worth it.

Next time you clear, get can DEFT brand gloss clearcoat. Its a polyurethane clear so it won't orange peel on laquer or enamel paint. As long as you don't pile on the coats. Mist it lightly every 3 - 5 min intervals! No more than 4 - 5 coats than start w/ 1200 grit. You can clear all of your parts: panels, bezel with Deft.

You can find Deft @ Kmart and Wood Crafter Supply stores next to Varnishs. Don't worry, you can use it on paint. Beware, shit is REAL strong and bad to inhale. The can is generic looking as hell too.

I'm gonna give you the same lecture I give everyone else. Cut out those perforated grills. Even with a dremel, before painting. Any improvement to airflow is good. You also lessen bypass noise. Chieftec grills are not terribly restrictive, but its just food for thought ;)

edit, another thing instead of grey primer, you should have used brown or even black primer to help deepen your red paint ;)

[FastRedPonyCar]

thanks for the tips. yeah i already am planning on making the grills gone and expand to 92mm if possible.

I'll look around for that 3M clear coat stuff.

I wont' have to start over will I? As in take off all the red paint and start from scratch?

[mnpctech]

3M is professional rubbing compound. Deft is clearcoat (aerosol can)

Yes, you've got room for 92mm!

No, you don't need to start over on chassis. I personally wouldn't bother wetsanding a chassis. Too much work for minimal viewing. Check out the "Powdercoat goodness" thread

btw: Don't give up on the Rustoleum Metallic paint. Clearcoat it, wetsand the Clearcoat starting w/1200, then buff it out for glossy finish. Remeber to "criss / cross" your coats when painting the panels. Don't wetsand the Metallic paint. You'll dull the effect

[toby]

i like the red colour! hope you get your paint probs fixed, the case could turn out real nice^_^

[Knipex]

Are you painting outside or in an unheated shead. ????


If so make sure you have drt weather and tgehre is no chance of rain for at least 4 hours. Large humidity or temp changes will destroy your paint finish and give you a fogged effect.

[FastRedPonyCar]

Here's an update with most likely pics to follow later tonight or tomorrow when I get to work and upload them all.

Last night I got the clear coat finished up on the inside and on the two front panels and other misc drive covers. I eneded up going to autozone and grabbing a can of duplicolor clearcoat. MUCH better. It looks all nice and glossy now.

I've still got to finish cutting the side panel and clearcoat the other panel but it looks much better now. Before I paint the top of the case, i'm going to cut a 80mm blowhole and order me some of those self lighting uv fans. With any luck, I'll be done by the end of next week.

[FastRedPonyCar]

Here are a few more pics of the front after some new clearcoat. I tried the duplicolor automotive clear coat and it works much better. I added another coat last night but it looks like it started drying all splochy again :angry:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/New%20PC/post-28-1098937620.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/New%20PC/post-28-1098937688.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/New%20PC/post-28-1098937749.jpg

[mnpctech]

Splochy? I don't see it.

Are you going to wetsand the clear?

[fillip]

Looks pretty good to me too.


But hey, the smoother and glossier the better right.

[FastRedPonyCar]

Here are some near finished pics. I still need plexiglass for the window and there are some small misc parts in the mail like fans, grilles and what not.

overall, I'm very pleased with the project but it was a lot of trouble for what it was worth. I would have MUCH rather just paid someone to laser/water cut the side panel than spend the better part of I would guess 8 hours or so with the dremel cutting the flames then using a sanding/grinding stone to smooth the cuts out.

Painting was a pain in the butt. I had to skip a day of work to finish it and the sky high alabama humidity made it very difficult to paint.

I've also got the pony emblem off the intake plenum of my engine that is the perfect size to fit on one of the empty drive bays.

Live and learn I guess. Anyways, here are the latest pics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/New%20PC/IMG_3966a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/New%20PC/IMG_3974a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/New%20PC/IMG_3968a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/New%20PC/IMG_3976a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/New%20PC/IMG_3983a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/New%20PC/IMG_4004a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fastredponycar/Computer/New%20PC/IMG_4003a.jpg

[mnpctech]

Saweet, luv that panel design..

Thumbs up on removing the fan grill perforations :cool:


I spy Curious George :h34r: :D

You and Vedder323 would get along.. Hes also a guitar player

[fillip]

Should start a 'Pics of your axe' thread! :D