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ILikeLSUToo 
LSU Fan
Central, LA
Member since Jan 2008
5331 posts
| Recent case mod, secondary gaming PC (Posted on 1/17/13 at 6:18 pm)
A customer asked me to upgrade a G7700 Predator recently because the machine had a bad motherboard. After examining the case and seeing its horrible airflow, typical of off-the-shelf computers, I told him I did not recommend using the case for the parts he wanted. We were going with a 3770k, 32GB DDR3 2133 (don't ask; he insisted), GTX 680, 4 HDDs, and 1 SSD. I offered to try to cut holes in the side and top of the case to add fans, but he just decided to go with a HAF 932 case and said I could keep the predator case.
Here's a stock photo of it:
I didn't think about taking a before picture of the actual case to show what poor shape it was in, because I wasn't confident that my mod plans would really take shape.
It's a "neat" looking case, I guess. It would have appealed to my 15-year-old self, but the orange is just too loud. Plus, this one had some scratches and cracks after years of abuse.
So, I got out my dremel and bought a bunch of rustoleum spray paint, clear coat, sand paper, and bondo, and did an overhaul.
Results:
The front cover was nearly cracked in half, so I had to repair it with glue and Bondo. I also filled in the Acer logos.
As I'm sure many of you auto enthusiasts know, using rattle can paint for a flawless car shine is pretty much impossible. It was a lot of work to get it to look this good, and there are still imperfections that the grainy iphone camera hides well.
I used the money I made from the build and other parts I had lying around, and built a secondary "gaming"-ish computer. The case now has:
Gigabyte z68x-ud3h
i5-3570k
8GB Corsair Vengenace 1600
XFX 7770 GHz edition
Patriot Wildfire 120gb SSD
1TB WD Black
Some old DVD burner
Raidmax 630w Hybrid PSU
Now I'm not sure what to do with this perfectly capable gaming PC. It's sitting in the living room unused.
This post was edited on 1/17 at 6:20 pm
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sbr2
Member since Apr 2011
8401 posts
| re: Recent case mod, secondary gaming PC (Posted on 1/17/13 at 6:28 pm to ILikeLSUToo)
Who would get an orange case like that? Good job tho.
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polarbehr
LSU Fan
behind gump lines
Member since Sep 2011
6568 posts
| re: Recent case mod, secondary gaming PC (Posted on 1/17/13 at 6:28 pm to sbr2)
a barner
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LSU Coyote
Member since Sep 2007
9327 posts
| re: Recent case mod, secondary gaming PC (Posted on 1/17/13 at 6:34 pm to ILikeLSUToo)
Holy shite that is a transformer.
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jcole4lsu 
Virginia Fan
The Kwisatz Haderach
Member since Nov 2007
21939 posts
| re: Recent case mod, secondary gaming PC (Posted on 1/17/13 at 6:36 pm to ILikeLSUToo)
Nice job. I want to work with you, coolest thing I get to do is repair busted water coolers from time to time lol
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polarbehr
LSU Fan
behind gump lines
Member since Sep 2011
6568 posts
| re: Recent case mod, secondary gaming PC (Posted on 1/17/13 at 6:46 pm to ILikeLSUToo)
rattlecan can be high quality if done right this 360 controller for my daughter looks like it is factory
it just take patience and practice
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brucevilanch 
Alabama Fan
guntersvegas
Member since May 2011
8969 posts
| re: Recent case mod, secondary gaming PC (Posted on 1/17/13 at 6:48 pm to ILikeLSUToo)
that looks awesome.
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ILikeLSUToo
LSU Fan
Central, LA
Member since Jan 2008
5331 posts
| re: Recent case mod, secondary gaming PC (Posted on 1/17/13 at 6:50 pm to polarbehr)
Something small like that is pretty easy. The large surfaces I was working with, plus this louisiana weather than can't make up its mind, it got pretty frustrating. Plus, that controller looks great even with the textured orange peel finish. I needed my clear coat to be completely flat, which involved cutting with 600 grit, then 1000, 2000, 3000, then having to reclear in some instances. I was trying too hard and should've just let it be.
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ILikeLSUToo
LSU Fan
Central, LA
Member since Jan 2008
5331 posts
| re: Recent case mod, secondary gaming PC (Posted on 1/17/13 at 6:51 pm to sbr2)
quote:
Who would get an orange case like that?
It was a gaming PC made by Acer. I didn't even know they made desktop gaming systems, but I guess they're trying to compete for the spoiled noob market share.
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SaintLSUnAtl 
New Orleans Saints Fan
Ctrl+Alt+Delete
Member since Jan 2007
15905 posts
| re: Recent case mod, secondary gaming PC (Posted on 1/17/13 at 6:54 pm to ILikeLSUToo)
iix.mj.xii@gmail.com
What's the price?
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polarbehr
LSU Fan
behind gump lines
Member since Sep 2011
6568 posts
| re: Recent case mod, secondary gaming PC (Posted on 1/17/13 at 6:54 pm to ILikeLSUToo)
how bout this for shine?
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polarbehr
LSU Fan
behind gump lines
Member since Sep 2011
6568 posts
| re: Recent case mod, secondary gaming PC (Posted on 1/17/13 at 6:58 pm to ILikeLSUToo)
impressive work
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Hulkklogan
LSU Fan
At home
Member since Oct 2010
26905 posts
 Online
| re: Recent case mod, secondary gaming PC (Posted on 1/17/13 at 7:01 pm to ILikeLSUToo)
Awesome work, man 
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stout 
Arizona Fan
Pandora
Member since Sep 2006
106441 posts
Online
| re: Recent case mod, secondary gaming PC (Posted on 1/17/13 at 7:16 pm to ILikeLSUToo)
quote:
plus this louisiana weather than can't make up its mind
If you use the right activator in your clear it won't matter what the weather is doing.
ETA: I re-read your OP. You used rattle can clear?
quote:
I needed my clear coat to be completely flat, which involved cutting with 600 grit, then 1000, 2000, 3000, then having to reclear in some instances.
Or you could have cut the orange peel/runs with a block and 1500, 3000 to smooth out the deep gouges from the 1500, then buffed/polished it all.
I used to paint cars in high school and some in college at my grandfathers paint and body shop. This is usually how it's done.
Looks good though.
This post was edited on 1/17 at 7:22 pm
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ILikeLSUToo
LSU Fan
Central, LA
Member since Jan 2008
5331 posts
| re: Recent case mod, secondary gaming PC (Posted on 1/17/13 at 7:25 pm to stout)
Yep, rattle can clear. I'm nothing close to a professional painter, nor did I have the budget to buy any equipment.
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bamabenny
Alabama Fan
Premium Member
Member since Nov 2009
4124 posts
| re: Recent case mod, secondary gaming PC (Posted on 1/17/13 at 7:25 pm to ILikeLSUToo)
I've been looking into building a gaming desktop recently..how much would you want for it?
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sbr2
Member since Apr 2011
8401 posts
| re: Recent case mod, secondary gaming PC (Posted on 1/17/13 at 7:26 pm to bamabenny)
quote:
bamabenny
quote:
MJ
Bidddddddddddddddddding start.
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ILikeLSUToo
LSU Fan
Central, LA
Member since Jan 2008
5331 posts
| re: Recent case mod, secondary gaming PC (Posted on 1/17/13 at 7:26 pm to bamabenny)
Well, it has about $900 worth of parts in it, plus the ridiculous amount of time I put into it.... not sure how much I'd sell it for. (that includes an antec Kuhler 920 that I'm putting in it tomorrow morning.)
This post was edited on 1/17 at 7:28 pm
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bamabenny
Alabama Fan
Premium Member
Member since Nov 2009
4124 posts
| re: Recent case mod, secondary gaming PC (Posted on 1/17/13 at 7:29 pm to sbr2)
I used to carry MJ in Halo And CoD, he owes me 
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stout
Arizona Fan
Pandora
Member since Sep 2006
106441 posts
Online
| re: Recent case mod, secondary gaming PC (Posted on 1/17/13 at 7:32 pm to ILikeLSUToo)
quote:
I'm nothing close to a professional painter
I understand. I am not either. I was just wondering about the clear because you said it was being picky which is true in cold wet weather. I thought you had mixed your own and used the wrong activator or hardner.
Painting is still a hobby I do on misc shite I fool with. My friend builds models and brings them to me to paint. I like doing it. Just painted a trailer for my dad not long ago with acrylic enamel. Hate that shite but it looks good if done right.
quote:
nor did I have the budget to buy any equipment.
I have a $800 Sata and a $400 Tekna but you can get a cheap gun at Harbor Frieght for $20-$30 for small projects. It's worth it if you really want to get a good finish on stuff.
This post was edited on 1/17 at 7:34 pm
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